What Are Screen Artifacts? | Causes, Examples, and How to Fix Visual Glitches (2025 Guide)

Screen artifacts are more than just visual distractions—they can signal underlying issues with your graphics card, cables, software, or even power supply. From colorful flickers and broken lines to full-screen distortions, these glitches can disrupt productivity, ruin gameplay, and harm user experience. In this guide, we’ll explain what screen artifacts are, what causes them, how to recognize different types, and—most importantly—how to fix them. Whether you’re a gamer, designer, or everyday laptop user, this article will help you understand and prevent screen artifacts, with expert tips and reliable monitor recommendations from Cevaton.

Part 1: What Are Screen Artifacts?

Screen artifacts are visual anomalies or glitches that appear on a digital display. These unwanted distortions may look like random lines, flickering, discolored blocks, or screen tearing. They are most often caused by issues with the graphics card (GPU), display cables, drivers, or the monitor itself.

Common Types of Screen Artifacts:

• Image Distortion: Warped or bent visuals.
  
  
• Flickering/Flashing: Random flashes or brightness shifts.
  
  
• Pixelation: Chunky or blocky pixel patterns.
  
  
• Screen Tearing: Split frames often seen in fast-paced scenes.
  
  
• Random Symbols or Color Lines: Odd color glitches or artifacts.
  
  
• Unusual Textures (Gaming): Wrong textures on 3D models.
  
  

Part 2: What Causes Screen Artifacts?

Understanding the root cause is key to solving screen artifacts. Here's a breakdown of the most common reasons:

Cause	Description
Outdated/Corrupt Drivers	Improper driver installation can conflict with your GPU's operation.
Overheating	High temperatures can lead to GPU instability.
Overclocking	Pushing GPU beyond its stable range can corrupt video memory.
Faulty GPU	Hardware-level damage or aging.
Loose/Damaged Cables	Unstable signal transmission causes glitches.
Power Supply Issues	Inadequate power can result in unstable GPU performance.
Software Conflicts	Some games or apps might not render properly due to bugs or incompatibility.

Part 3: How to Fix Screen Artifacts

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Update GPU Drivers: Visit the official website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and install the latest drivers.
   
   
2. Reseat or Replace Display Cables: Ensure all cables (HDMI, DisplayPort) are securely connected and not damaged.
   
   
3. Monitor GPU Temperature: Use tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to check temperatures. Ideal is under 85°C.
   
   
4. Disable Overclocking: Restore default GPU settings to eliminate instability.
   
   
5. Run Hardware Tests: Swap GPU or monitor to test where the fault lies.
   
   
6. Check for Display Issues in Safe Mode: Boot into safe mode to isolate driver or system-level conflicts.
   
   

Pro Tip: Screen artifacts limited to specific apps (like games) might indicate a software rendering bug, not hardware.

Part 4: Best Monitors to Reduce Screen Artifacts

While artifacts are usually GPU-related, using high-quality, stable displays can help eliminate visual distortion from poor refresh rates or limited compatibility.

Recommended Cevaton Portable Monitors:

Model	Screen Size	Resolution	Highlights
T2 Pro	16”	1920x1200	IPS panel, ultra-slim, full USB-C/HDMI compatibility.
N2	16”	1920x1200	Rotating stand, magnetic mounting, supports 100W PD.
N3	16”	1920x1200	Lightweight (683g), vertical and horizontal display, ultra-slim bezels.

These monitors support wide color gamut (45% NTSC), 300cd/㎡ brightness, and stable 60Hz refresh rates—ideal for minimizing display-based interference in visual output.

FAQ: Common Questions About Screen Artifacts

Q1: What do screen artifacts look like?

A: They can appear as colored lines, static, flickers, or broken textures. In games, textures may look glitchy or misplaced.

Q2: Are screen artifacts always caused by the GPU?

A: Most often, yes—but they can also stem from bad cables, power issues, or even the monitor.

Q3: Can artifacting damage my monitor?

A: No. Artifacts are a result of signal or GPU issues, not the display itself.

Q4: How do I test if it’s the monitor or the GPU?

A: Connect your PC to a different monitor, or test your monitor with another computer. Compare results.

Q5: Can screen artifacts be fixed permanently?

A: If caused by overheating or outdated drivers, yes. If due to aging hardware, replacement may be necessary.

Q6: What’s the difference between screen tearing and artifacts?

A: Screen tearing is a form of artifact where multiple frames are shown at once; it's usually solved with V-Sync or G-Sync.

Q7: Does using a portable monitor make artifacting worse?

A: No, as long as the monitor is high quality and the connection is stable (USB-C or HDMI). Cevaton monitors are designed to avoid such issues.

Conclusion

Screen artifacts can be annoying, but they’re usually fixable. Whether it's a quick driver update or swapping out a cable, the key is identifying the root cause. For those who want to minimize visual glitches in everyday use or mobile workstations, choosing a reliable portable monitor like the Cevaton N2, N3, or T2 Pro can go a long way. Not only do these monitors support clear visuals and consistent refresh rates, but they’re also ideal for work, play, and travel.

References

• https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-screen-artifacts/
  
  
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/gpu-artifacting-explained/
  
  
• https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/what-causes-artifacts.205497/
  
  
• https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/game-ready-drivers/13/307688/artifacts-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-fix-them/