So there you are playing your favorite game. Everything is going well, and then BOOM, you start to notice after-images on your display. These images can sometimes be ignored, but these images can also completely ruin the gaming experience.
It is hard to play effectively when the colours on your screen are distorted and the images are blurred. In fact, it may appear as if the whole background is smeared. What you’re experiencing is known as monitor ghosting.
Now, this is a painful problem to many, which is why we have created this guide. In this article, we answer your questions on monitor ghosting. To understand what causes ghosting, we must first know what is ghosting on a monitor. We will even tell you how to fix monitor ghosting and how to prevent monitor ghosting in the future. Without Further ado, let’s get started!
What is Monitor Ghosting in Gaming?
Monitor ghosting in gaming is when your eyes are able to focus on previously displayed images. These images are typically blurred, which results in a smeared effect on the new image, which looks like a ghost standing behind an object.
This is unfortunate, as ghosting can negatively affect your gaming experience. So much so, that you may have to stop playing altogether. Monitor ghosting can also occur when watching movies or doing other tasks on your laptop.
What Causes Monitor Gaming?
The cause of monitor ghosting is a combination of two things – refresh rates and response times.
Refresh rate (measured in Hertz) is the number of times a monitor refreshes the images on show. Now, the majority of monitors come with a 60Hz refresh rate, which means it refreshed 60 times every second.
Response time is the amount of time is takes for the CPU/GPU to draw a new image on the monitor. However, it is the time it takes for a pixel to change to another colour. The shorter the response time, the quicker it takes for a new image to be created.
Monitor ghosting happens when you have a slow response time of refresh rate, which means the monitor was not quick enough to display the new image correctly. When you’re gaming, the GPU works by transforming data into the correct image. The image will then be shown on your monitor. When the image in not drawn fast enough, you will see remains of the previous image, which is ghosting.
However, sometimes the issue cannot be blamed on refresh rates or response times. The monitor cable may be damaged, bent out of shape, or shielded poorly. It can also be the software settings on your laptop or PC monitor. In fact, some software can negatively affect the display response time.
How Do You Fix Ghosting in Games
Ghosting will completely ruin your gaming experience if you do not fix it. But don’t worry; we have compiled our top four monitor ghosting fix solutions:
Check your monitor cables
There is a chance that your monitor cables are not connected properly or are tangled in a mess. In fact, there can be interference even if the cables are tangled up near to each other, especially if the cables have poor shielding.
The solution is to make sure all cables are kept straight and away from each other. It can also be wise to check the cable for any potential damages. When buying a new monitor cable, make sure to buy one with good shielding.
Check your display settings
As we previously mentioned, sometimes your software installed on your PC can negatively affect your monitor. The default settings can sometimes cause ghosting because they change the monitor’ response time. Similarly, there are settings to stop monitor ghosting.
You simply need to play around with your display settings. We can’t give you exact instructions as all monitors are made differently. Instructions vary depending on the manufacturer.
Your PC may also have a NVIDIA control panel. The settings in this panel can also be tweaked to get your desired result. Those monitors with NVIDIA G-SYNC should try enabling or disabling it. You can also tweak other features in the control panel, such as ULMB.
Keep the drivers up to date
It is important to make sure every driver is up to date to keep your PC running smoothly.
Get a new monitor
If nothing is working, then you may need to buy a new monitor. Obviously this is not ideal, but sometimes it is the only option. The issue may be that your monitor was faulty from the box, or maybe your PC is too powerful for the monitor. The retailer should be able to offer you a refund or replacement, so make sure you purchase your monitor from a reputable company.
How to Prevent Monitor Ghosting in the Future
Your new monitor needs two things: high refresh rates and fast response times. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of monitor ghosting. This is especially vital if you want a monitor for gaming.
The higher the refresh rate and response time, the less chance of monitor ghosting there will be. However, there is another factor to consider, known as input lag. This is the time it takes for your action to be registered by the display monitor.
You should also make sure that your monitor has AMD Freesync or NVIDIA G-SYNC, although this is not vital. They will allow for a smoother gaming experience, so they are worth it.
Getting a monitor with high refresh rates, fast response times, and low input lag will solve your monitor ghosting issue. These few factors will also have a positive impact on screen stuttering and screen tearing.
Final Thoughts
So, now you know all about what causes monitor ghosting in gaming. Although it is a frustrating issue, there are ways to fix it. We hope that you have found this article helpful. Please do share it with your friends who enjoy gaming.
