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, how to recognize different types, and—most importantly—how to fix them. Whether you’re a gamer or a designer, this article will help you troubleshoot the issue and introduces reliable, stable display recommendations from Cevaton.
1. What Are Screen Artifacts? (Types & Examples)
Screen artifacts are visual anomalies or glitches that appear on a digital display. These unwanted distortions often look like random lines, flickering, discolored blocks, or screen tearing. They are most often caused by issues with the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), video memory (VRAM), or display cables.
Common Types of Visual Glitches:
- Image Distortion: Warped or geometrically incorrect visuals.
- Flickering/Flashing: Random brightness shifts or strobe-like effects.
- Pixelation: "Blocky" patterns (checkerboard effects), often a sign of failing VRAM.
- Screen Tearing: Horizontal split in frames, common in fast-paced gaming without V-Sync.
- Random Symbols/Lines: Green or pink vertical lines appearing on the desktop.
- 3D Texture Artifacts: Stretched or missing textures inside 3D games.
2. The 7 Main Causes of Screen Artifacts
Understanding the root cause is the first step to fixing the problem. Use this table to diagnose your issue:
| Cause | Why it happens |
|---|---|
| Overheating GPU | Excessive heat (over 85°C) causes silicon instability. |
| Outdated Drivers | Old software conflicts with new games or OS updates. |
| Loose Cables | Faulty HDMI/DisplayPort cables disrupt data transmission. |
| Unstable Overclocking | Pushing clock speeds too high creates calculation errors. |
| Failing VRAM | Physical damage to the graphics card memory (hard to fix). |
| Power Supply (PSU) | Insufficient power delivery to the GPU under load. |
3. How to Fix Screen Artifacts: Step-by-Step
Before you buy a new graphics card, try these troubleshooting steps in order:
- Update Your Drivers: Go to NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s website and perform a "Clean Install" of the latest drivers.
- Check Temperatures: Use tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor. If your GPU hits 90°C+, clean the dust from your fans.
- Reseat Cables: Unplug and firmly replug your HDMI/USB-C cables. Try a different cable to rule out wire damage.
- Disable Overclocking: If you have tweaked your GPU settings, reset them to "Default" or "Factory Settings."
- Underclocking (Advanced): Sometimes, slightly lowering the core clock (-50MHz) can stabilize an aging GPU.
Is your old monitor causing the issue?
Sometimes, aging panels develop ghosting and flickering. Upgrading to a modern, stable IPS display can be the quickest fix.
Browse Cevaton's Stable IPS Monitor Collection →4. Best Stable Monitors to Eliminate Glitches
While artifacts are often GPU-related, using a high-quality display ensures that the issue isn't coming from the screen itself. Cevaton monitors are tested for high signal stability.
Recommended Cevaton Portable Monitors:
| Cevaton T2 Pro | 16” IPS (1920x1200) | Ultra-slim design with stable USB-C signal transmission. |
| Cevaton N2 | 16” IPS (1920x1200) | Magnetic mounting & 100W PD pass-through for power stability. |
| Cevaton N3 | Lightweight (683g) | Perfect for travel; reduces cable clutter artifacts. |
FAQ: Common Questions About Screen Artifacts
Q1: Do screen artifacts mean my GPU is dying?
Not necessarily. It is often just an overheating issue or a bad driver. However, persistent pixelation (checkerboard patterns) usually points to failing VRAM.
Q2: What is the difference between Screen Tearing and Artifacts?
Screen tearing is when the monitor shows two different frames at once (a horizontal split), usually fixed by V-Sync. Artifacts are random glitches like pink lines or flashing squares.
Q3: Does using a portable monitor cause more artifacts?
No. As long as you use a high-quality cable (like the ones included with Cevaton monitors), the connection is digital and stable.
Conclusion
Screen artifacts can be annoying, but they’re usually fixable. Whether it's a quick driver update, cooling down your PC, or swapping out a faulty cable, the key is identifying the root cause. If you determine your old display is the culprit, upgrading to a reliable portable monitor like the Cevaton N2 or N3 can provide a glitch-free experience for work and play.