How to Fix Blurry Fonts in Windows

Blurry fonts on your screen can be a major distraction when working on your computer. This issue is common on high-resolution screens or when the display scaling is adjusted. In this guide, we’ll walk you through several ways to fix blurry fonts in Windows and make text appear clearer.

Reasons for Blurry Fonts in Windows

Before diving into solutions, let's look at some common causes of blurry fonts in Windows:

  • Incorrect display scaling settings.
  • Applications that don’t support display scaling.
  • Issues with ClearType, Windows’ font-smoothing system.
  • Problems with screen resolution or graphics drivers.

Methods to Fix Blurry Fonts

1. Check Display Scaling Settings

Start by verifying that your display scaling settings are correct. Here’s how:

  1. Open Settings in Windows by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to System > Display.
  3. Locate the Scale and layout option and select the recommended setting (usually 100% or 125%).
  4. If this scaling option doesn’t work for you, choose a different one, but note that custom scaling values may lead to blurry text.

2. Enable ClearType for Better Font Smoothing

ClearType is Microsoft’s technology for font smoothing, which can improve text clarity. To enable and adjust ClearType, follow these steps:

  1. Type ClearType in the Windows search bar and select Adjust ClearType text.
  2. In the window that appears, make sure Turn on ClearType is checked.
  3. Follow the setup wizard, selecting the text samples that look best to you.

3. Adjust Compatibility Settings for Specific Apps

Some programs may display blurry text if they don’t fully support display scaling. To fix this, you can adjust the compatibility settings:

  1. Right-click on the app's shortcut and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  3. Find the option Override high DPI scaling behavior and set it to System.
  4. Apply the changes and restart the app.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Sometimes blurry fonts are caused by outdated graphics drivers. To update them:

  1. Open Device Manager from the Start menu.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

5. Use Windows’ Built-In Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can help resolve display issues. To access it:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  2. Look for a troubleshooter related to display or performance and run it.