Just Bought a New Monitor? Don't Make These Mistakes

New monitor? Don't just plug and play! Maximize your investment with these essential post-purchase setup steps. Avoiding these often-overlooked tasks could lead to discomfort and potential issues down the line.

Optimize Your Viewing Height

Many budget monitors lack height adjustment, but proper screen height is crucial for posture and comfort. Ideally, your eye level should be about a quarter of the way down from the top of the screen, minimizing neck strain. Avoid looking up or down at awkward angles. If your monitor lacks height adjustment, consider a monitor riser or a VESA-compatible arm.

Related: 7 Reasons You Should Upgrade Your Monitor Stand

Inspect for Pixel Defects

While rare, dead or stuck pixels can occur. Check immediately to leverage your return window. Most retailers offer generous return policies within a few days of purchase, but beyond that, it becomes a warranty issue. Manufacturers have varying dead pixel policies; some have zero tolerance, while others may require a certain number of defects.

Use a pixel checker tool (e.g., Dead Pixel Test) to thoroughly examine your screen for any issues. This quick test could save you significant hassle.

Related: Can I Return a Monitor That Has Dead Pixels?

Beyond Default Settings

Default monitor settings are often optimized for bright store lighting, not your home environment. Adjust brightness, contrast, and color temperature to suit your preferences and workspace. While full calibration is ideal for color-critical work, Windows' color calibration tool or macOS's Display Calibrator Assistant suffice for most users.

Related: 12 Gaming Monitor Settings You Should Change Right Now

Choose the Right Connection

Modern monitors offer various input ports (DisplayPort, HDMI, etc.). Prioritize the connection offering optimal resolution and refresh rate. DisplayPort often provides the best performance, especially for features like G-Sync. Avoid older standards like DVI or VGA when possible. Ensure your chosen port supports HDR if your monitor offers it.

Related: Here's Everything You Can Do With the Ports on Your Monitor

Verify Resolution and Refresh Rate

While operating systems usually auto-detect settings, manually verify your monitor's resolution and refresh rate. This is especially important for higher refresh rate monitors (120Hz, 240Hz) to ensure you're utilizing their full capabilities. Incompatibility may result from insufficient cable bandwidth.

Related: FPS vs. Refresh Rate: What Are the Differences?

Activate Advanced Features

Explore and enable advanced features like adaptive sync (G-Sync, FreeSync) and Black Frame Insertion (BFI). These can significantly enhance performance and image quality, but only if activated. Note that BFI may reduce brightness. Experiment to find the optimal balance.

Related: What Is Black Frame Insertion on a TV, and Should You Use It?

With these steps complete, your new monitor is ready for peak performance!

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