How to Fix Overscan Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 17, 2025

Have you ever connected your Windows 11 PC to a monitor or TV — only to find parts of the screen cut off? Maybe your taskbar disappears, the Start menu looks cropped, or the display just doesn’t fit right.

If so, you’re dealing with a common but frustrating issue called overscan.

Don’t worry — in this detailed guide, we’ll explain what overscan is, why it happens, and how to fix overscan in Windows 11 using simple step-by-step methods. Whether you’re using an HDMI TV, 4K monitor, or external display, you’ll find a fix that works for you.

💡 What Is Overscan?

Overscan happens when the image displayed on your screen is slightly zoomed in, causing the edges of the desktop (taskbar, icons, etc.) to be cut off.

It’s a leftover feature from old CRT TVs, where manufacturers intentionally zoomed in on the image to hide distorted edges. But on modern flat-screen TVs and monitors, overscan is unnecessary — and often annoying.

In contrast, underscan occurs when the image appears smaller than the screen, leaving black borders around the display.

⚙️ Common Symptoms of Overscan in Windows 11

If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with overscan, here are some telltale signs:

  • Taskbar or Start button is partially cut off

  • Text or icons near screen edges are missing

  • The desktop looks zoomed in

  • Apps and windows appear larger than usual

  • On a TV, the image extends beyond screen borders

Sound familiar? Let’s fix it.

🧩 Causes of Overscan in Windows 11

Overscan can result from various hardware and software mismatches. Common causes include:

Cause Description
TV scaling settings Many HDTVs apply automatic zoom or “picture fit” adjustments.
GPU scaling Graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) may apply scaling by default.
Display resolution mismatch Windows or the display is set to an unsupported resolution.
HDMI signal type Some TVs detect PCs as “TV inputs” and enable overscan automatically.

The good news? You can correct overscan entirely from Windows or your TV settings — no technical expertise required.

🧰 Step 1: Check Your Display Resolution in Windows 11

The first step in fixing overscan is to ensure your display is set to its native resolution — the exact pixel count your screen is designed for.

How to Check and Adjust Resolution:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.

  2. Scroll down to Scale & layout.

  3. Under Display resolution, select the Recommended resolution (usually 1920×1080 or 3840×2160).

  4. Click Keep changes if prompted.

If the image still looks zoomed or cropped, move on to adjusting scaling settings or your graphics card control panel.

🪟 Step 2: Adjust Scaling Settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 automatically scales text, icons, and apps to make them easier to read — but incorrect scaling can worsen overscan.

To Adjust Display Scaling:

  1. Open Settings → System → Display.

  2. Under Scale & layout, find the Scale option.

  3. Try setting it to 100% or 125%.

  4. Log out and back in to see the effect.

If that doesn’t solve it, your graphics driver or TV may still be applying extra zoom.

🎮 Step 3: Fix Overscan Using Graphics Card Settings

Each major GPU brand — Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD — includes built-in tools to fix overscan and underscan issues.

Let’s go over how to adjust them one by one.

🟦 For Intel Graphics Users

  1. Right-click the desktop → Intel Graphics Command Center (or Intel Graphics Control Panel).

  2. Select Display.

  3. Under Scale, choose:

    • Maintain Display Scaling or Custom Aspect Ratio.

  4. Drag the underscan/overscan slider until the image fits perfectly.

  5. Click Apply.

If you’re using Intel UHD or Iris Xe graphics, the “Custom Scale” slider is your go-to adjustment tool.

🟩 For NVIDIA Users

  1. Right-click on the desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.

  2. Go to Display → Adjust desktop size and position.

  3. Under Scaling, choose No scaling.

  4. Set Perform scaling on: to Display.

  5. Click Apply.

💡 If your screen still looks off, go to the Size tab and manually resize the desktop using the position and width controls.

🟥 For AMD Radeon Users

  1. Right-click on the desktop → AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.

  2. Navigate to Display in the sidebar.

  3. Find Scaling Mode and select Preserve Aspect Ratio or Full Panel.

  4. Use the HDMI Scaling slider to reduce or expand the image until it fits perfectly.

Once applied, your Windows 11 desktop should now display correctly without cropped edges.

📺 Step 4: Adjust Your TV or Monitor Picture Settings

Sometimes the overscan problem doesn’t come from Windows — it comes from your TV or monitor’s settings.

How to Fix Overscan on a Smart TV or External Display:

  1. Grab your TV remote and open the Settings or Picture menu.

  2. Look for options like:

    • Picture Size

    • Screen Fit

    • Aspect Ratio

    • Just Scan

    • 1:1 Pixel Mapping

  3. Set the picture mode to Fit to Screen, Full Pixel, or Just Scan (depending on the brand).

TV Brand Setting Name Recommended Option
Samsung Picture Size → Picture Size Settings “Fit to Screen”
LG Aspect Ratio Settings “Just Scan: On”
Sony Display Area “Full Pixel”
TCL / Hisense Picture Size “Direct” or “1:1”

These options disable overscan, ensuring Windows fits perfectly edge to edge.

🧮 Step 5: Check HDMI and Display Connection Types

If your TV or monitor still overscans, the issue might be related to the signal type.

  • HDMI vs. DVI: Some TVs assume HDMI inputs are from video players and apply overscan automatically.

  • Solution: Try connecting your PC to the HDMI port labeled “PC” on your TV (many newer TVs have one).

  • Alternatively, go into your TV’s Input Settings and rename the source as PC — this often disables overscan automatically.

🧩 Step 6: Update or Reinstall Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers can cause resolution mismatches or scaling bugs.

To Update Drivers in Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager.

  2. Expand Display adapters.

  3. Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.

Or, for better performance, manually download the latest drivers from your GPU manufacturer’s website:

🧾 Step 7: Reset Display Settings (if All Else Fails)

If you’ve tried everything and overscan persists, you can reset your display settings to factory defaults.

How to Reset Display Settings:

  1. Open Settings → System → Display.

  2. Click Advanced display → Display adapter properties for Display 1.

  3. Under the Monitor tab, ensure the refresh rate matches your screen’s specification (usually 60 Hz).

  4. If needed, click Restore Defaults in your GPU’s control panel.

This clears any conflicting scaling profiles and restores a clean slate.

🧰 Step 8: Use Windows Registry or Custom Resolution (Advanced)

If overscan remains a problem even after driver and TV adjustments, you can manually set a custom resolution that fits your screen exactly.

⚠️ Advanced users only — proceed carefully.

Create a Custom Resolution (NVIDIA Example):

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Change Resolution.

  2. Click Customize → Create Custom Resolution.

  3. Lower the vertical and horizontal pixels slightly (e.g., 1900×1060 instead of 1920×1080).

  4. Test and apply until the image fits your screen perfectly.

AMD and Intel offer similar custom resolution tools in their respective control panels.

🧭 Bonus: Fix Overscan When Using Remote Desktop or External Dock

Overscan issues can also occur with:

  • Docking stations

  • Display adapters (HDMI to VGA, USB-C hubs)

  • Remote Desktop connections

Solutions:

  • Update your dock firmware or display adapter driver.

  • In Remote Desktop, set Display Scaling to 100%.

  • When docking, ensure your main monitor uses the native resolution.

🧠 Summary Table: Overscan Fixes by Device Type

Device Type Common Fix
Smart TV (HDMI) Set Picture Size to “Just Scan” or “Fit to Screen”
Monitor (DisplayPort/HDMI) Use native resolution and 100% scaling
Intel GPU Adjust underscan/overscan slider
NVIDIA GPU Set scaling to “No scaling”
AMD GPU Use HDMI Scaling slider
Docking Station / Adapter Update drivers, check native output resolution

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is my Windows 11 screen cut off on the edges?

Your display or TV is applying overscan, zooming in on the image. Adjust scaling in Windows or disable overscan from your TV’s picture settings.

2. How do I fix overscan on an HDMI-connected TV?

Go to your TV’s Picture or Display settings and set the picture mode to “Just Scan,” “Fit to Screen,” or “Full Pixel.”

3. Can updating drivers fix overscan?

Yes. Updating or reinstalling your GPU drivers can resolve display scaling mismatches that cause overscan or underscan.

4. What’s the difference between overscan and underscan?

  • Overscan: Image is too large; edges are cut off.

  • Underscan: Image is too small; black borders appear around the screen.

5. Will fixing overscan affect gaming or video quality?

No — in fact, correcting overscan ensures your games and videos render at full native resolution with sharper clarity.

🏁 Conclusion

Overscan in Windows 11 can make your beautiful display look messy — but as you’ve seen, it’s easy to fix once you know where to look.

By adjusting your display scaling, graphics card settings, or TV picture mode, you can restore your screen to a perfect edge-to-edge view without any cropping or black borders.

So the next time your taskbar or desktop disappears off the edge, don’t panic — just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a flawless display in minutes.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • ✅ Overscan zooms in and crops your screen edges.

  • ✅ Check your Windows 11 display resolution and set it to “Recommended.”

  • ✅ Adjust scaling via Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD control panels.

  • ✅ On TVs, set Picture Size to “Fit to Screen” or “Just Scan.”

  • ✅ If issues persist, update GPU drivers or reset display settings.

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