Monitor test troubleshooting: fullscreen, zoom and wrong screens
Check the basics first: the right screen, native resolution, 100% zoom, no overlays, and a plugged in laptop. Most strange results go away once those are fixed.
Most odd results in a browser based monitor test come from the browser or the setup, not the monitor. Fullscreen can be blocked, the window can sit on the wrong screen, zoom and scaling can soften fine patterns, and background tabs or power saving can make motion stutter. This guide walks through each problem and the quickest fix.
By TechCompare · Updated
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Monitor Test
Black. Lit dots that stay bright on black. A dot that glows white, red, green or blue here is a stuck subpixel or pixel.
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How this is calculated
Fullscreen won't open: browsers only allow it after a click or key press, so use the Start fullscreen button rather than a bookmark. Some browsers block it inside frames, and iPhone Safari doesn't allow fullscreen for web pages at all. In those cases the test fills the browser window instead, which works the same way. The test shows on the wrong monitor: fullscreen opens on the screen that holds the browser window, so drag the window to the screen you want to test before you press Start. Patterns look soft or wavy: check that the monitor runs at its native resolution, that browser zoom is 100% (Ctrl or Cmd plus 0 resets it), and look at the note on the sharpness pattern. Colors look off: turn off night light and blue light filters, check for HDR mode, which changes how desktop colors map, and look at the monitor's picture mode. Motion stutters: close other heavy tabs and apps, plug in your laptop, and check that the operating system is set to the monitor's highest refresh rate. Variable refresh rate and power saving modes can also change frame delivery. Controls cover part of the screen: press H or tap the pattern to hide them, and move the mouse or press any key to bring them back. Escape always leaves.
Verdict
When a result surprises you, change one thing and run the same pattern again. If the result changes with a browser or system setting, the monitor isn't the cause. If it stays the same across browsers, settings and a restart, and you can see it in real content, it's worth taking up with the seller. The tool never stores your results, so keep your own notes if you need them for a return.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I run the test on my second monitor?
Why does the motion pattern stutter?
Does the test work on a phone or tablet?
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