How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Display Issues in Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7?

Do you have a newer high-resolution monitor? If yes, then you may probably get into QuickBooks Desktop Display Issues. This issue usually emerges due to high-resolution graphic displays (1920 x 1200 or higher).

Common Display Compatibility Issues Between QuickBooks and Windows OS

QuickBooks Desktop users may encounter display compatibility issues when running the software on Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11. These issues often stem from discrepancies between QuickBooks’ display requirements and the system’s display settings. Common problems include:

• Fuzzy or Blurry Text, and Icons: Text and icons appear unclear or pixelated.
• Distorted or Misaligned Windows: Program windows are improperly sized or positioned.
• Blank or Black Screens: Certain areas or entire windows within QuickBooks appear empty or blacked out.
• Buttons or Text Overlapping: Interface elements overlap, making navigation difficult.

These issues are primarily due to high-resolution displays, incorrect DPI (Dots Per Inch) settings, or incompatible Windows themes.

If you need any assistance to resolve the QuickBooks Error Issues, then give us a call at +1-802-778-9005

eBetterBooks: Quick Fixes

Below are some quick fixes for common problems related to QuickBooks:

Reasons Why You Come Across QuickBooks Desktop Display Problems!

Display problems or distorted screen issues in QuickBooks occur due to incorrect resolution or font settings in Microsoft Windows or when you are using high-resolution displays. QuickBooks accounting software is compatible to work well with a DPI (Dot per Inch) value of less than 100%.

Many systems show high-resolution DPI Settings of 125 to 150%, which may lead to different display-related issues and make users unable to see the entire page in QuickBooks Desktop.

Well, there are various QuickBooks display problems available, and below we have listed some of the most common ones:

• High Resolution of DPI (Dot Per Inch) Settings: If DPI settings in Windows are set to 125 to 150% higher resolution, this makes users unable to see the entire page in QuickBooks Desktop.
• Wrong QuickBooks View Preferences: Wrong View Preferences resulting in QuickBooks Display Error as it won’t let you access the company file or data you want to.
• Incompatible Windows Display Settings: If there are compatibility issues with Windows Display Settings, then the screen size will not fit within the monitor’s frame. Either it’ll be too large or too small to view.
• Older or outdated Graphic Drivers: When your graphic/video cards or drivers are outdated, they can malfunction and result in different kinds of display-related errors.
• Misconfigured Internet Browser Compatibility Settings: If Compatibility Settings are not properly configured or compatible with QuickBooks default settings, you may probably end up with several display issues.

What are the Indicators of QuickBooks Desktop Display Glitches?

Are you unable to determine the QuickBooks Display Problems? No worries, we have described each and every prompt that can be noticed when the issue occurs:

Inability to fit on the system screen: The transaction form you are trying to access cannot fit on the system screen.

• Missing Buttons: Certain buttons go missing, and the font size gets bigger.
• Visibility issues with the Sizing icon: The sizing icon at the top right corner of the screen does not appear.
• Blank Home page: The home page gets blank or inaccessible.
• Overwriting fields and hiding labels: If the field overwrites and hides its label, it might be the most apparent sign of display issues.
• Blurred Screen: It gets unclear or blurred when you minimize or maximize the screen.

Effective Methods to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Display Problems!

Don’t know how to get over QuickBooks Desktop screen Issues? Alright, just start trying the below-given methods according to the situation you are getting in.

Let’s get started:

Method 1: When the DPI (Dot per inch) settings are set to higher resolution

In this case, you need to change your display, view preferences and DPI Settings in QuickBooks, make changes in the Screen Resolution Settings and reset the default Display Settings of your Windows by following the instructions stated below:

Step 1: Edit QuickBooks DPI Settings Which Matches with the QB Default Display Settings Requirements

1. Firstly, shut down the QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Now, hover over the Windows Start menu.
3. Write the QuickBooks into the search bar, right-click on the QuickBooks icon, and then select Open file location.
4. After this, right-click the QuickBooks.exe file in the folder and choose the Properties option.
5. Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
6. You must select the Disable display scaling on the high DPI settings checkbox. Also, hit the Change high DPI settings icon and then Override high DPI scaling behavior.
7. Click Apply and press the OK button.
8. At last, restart QuickBooks and then look for display issues, if everything looks good, you’re good to go.

Step 2: Make Changes in the Screen Resolution Settings

If screen resolution settings are not set to 1024×768 then you are recommended to modify screen resolution settings. Due to having issues with your desktop screen, the screen elements are either too small or too large to be clicked on.

On Windows 10

1. Hit right-click on the Desktop and select Display.
2. Now, select the Advanced Display Settings from the left pane. If there is more than one display to be located on your PC, select Display you need to modify.
3. Under the Resolution section, hit the recommended screen resolution of 1024×768 or higher.
4. Then, click Apply the changes and select Keep the Changes icon.

Note: If you have a newer high-resolution monitor, you may need to change your default settings in QuickBooks.

On Windows 8, 8.1 and 7

1. Hit right-click anywhere on your Desktop and select Display.
2. Now, click on Screen Settings.
3. Spot the resolution drop-down menu and then choose the screen resolution, which must be 1024 x 768 or higher, else you won’t be able to work on QuickBooks.
4. Press OK at the end.

Step 3: Reset the Default Display Settings of Your Windows

1. To restore default display settings for Windows 10 and Windows 8, adhere to the Microsoft Instructions.
2. Set the minimum resolution at 1024 x 768 for your screen. However, 1920 x 1080 is the best display which we recommend.
3. Once you’re done, restart your computer and open QuickBooks and your company file again.

Method 2: When View Preferences in QuickBooks need to be correct

At this point, you need to adjust the View Preferences in QuickBooks.

Here’s how:

1. At this point, you need to adjust the View Preferences in QuickBooks. Here’s how:
2. Open the company file, head to the Edit menu, and choose Preferences in QuickBooks.
3. Select the Desktop View from the list and then hit the My Preferences tab.
4. Under the View section, choose the One Window option and press OK.
5. To finish, close and reopen QuickBooks and your company file and check for desktop display issues.

Method 3: When Windows Display Settings are Incompatible

If the Windows Display Settings are not compatible, perform the following steps to modify your Display Settings on Windows.

On Windows 10

1. To begin with, hit the Start menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. After this, hold and press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard.
3. Select the Appearance and Personalization option.
4. Navigate to the Change item size section and choose the Set custom scaling option.
5. From the drop-down list, click on 100% and then press the OK button.
6. In the end, hit on the Apply tab and log out for changes to be shown.

On Windows 8/8.1

1. Hit right-click on the Desktop icon and then hit the Screen tab.
2. Afterward, select the Make text & other items bigger or smaller option at the bottom of the display settings.
3. You need to unmark. Allow me to choose one Scaling level for my displays.
4. Now, drag the Slider to smaller than 100% to ensure that the text and other items are of normal size.
5. Finally, Save changes and restart your computer system.

On Windows 7

1. Set the screen resolution to the recommended mode (e.g., 1920 by 1080).
2. Start QuickBooks in compatibility mode specifically set on Windows 7.
3. Take time to alter this from Large (125%) to Smaller (100%).
4. Use True Color with 32 bits in areas of the display should be used.
5. You should use QuickBooks as an administrator.
6. Check the Operating System logs for updates to graphics drivers and get them from the manufacturer’s website.
7. Submit to set changes made during the process plus boot the device for the changes to take effect.

Method 4: When the Graphic Drivers are Outdated

Updating the Graphic/Video Drivers is the only solution to eliminate outdated drivers.

Let’s see how:

1. Hit the Start tab and then hover over the Control Panel.
2. Now, select the Device option.
3. Afterward, right-click on the Graphic card/ Video Card on your screen and select the Update driver option under Display Adapters.
4. Navigate to Search and write down the video card’s name from the device manager in the Display Adapters window if you are trying to update the drivers manually.
5. Locate the Driver option and enter the Card name.
6. Furthermore, carefully download and install the driver and follow the on-screen instructions to run the downloaded file.
7. To end the process, restart your system.

Method 5: When your Internet browser compatibility settings are not properly Configured

Carefully implement the below-listed steps to configure Compatibility View Settings.

1. Initially, open Internet Explorer and hit Tools, then choose Compatibility View Settings.
2. Hold and press Alt + T tabs on your keyboard to access the Tools menu.
3. After this, check that intuit.com or qbo.intuit.com must not be included under the Add this Website option.
4. Also, ensure that the Display all websites checkbox is not selected in the Compatibility View menu.
5. Now, you need to uncheck Include updated website listings from the Microsoft box.
6. Once done, shut down all Internet Explorer Windows.
7. When you are ready, verify whether the QuickBooks display issues are still on their ground.

Advanced Troubleshooting for QuickBooks Display Issues

Method 6: Adjusting Windows Compatibility Mode for QuickBooks

Adjusting Windows Compatibility Mode for QuickBooks can help resolve issues when running the software on newer versions of Windows. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to modifying the compatibility settings:

1. Locate the QuickBooks Executable File:
   • Navigate to the folder where QuickBooks is installed. By default, this is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]\.
   • Find the QuickBooks executable file (QBW32.EXE or QBW64.EXE).
2. Access the Properties Menu:
   • Right-click on the QuickBooks executable file.
   • Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. Open the Compatibility Tab:
   • In the Properties window, click on the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Enable Compatibility Mode:
   • Check the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”.
   • From the dropdown menu, select the Windows version that corresponds to the version of QuickBooks you’re using. For example, if you’re using QuickBooks 2017, select “Windows 7”.
5. Adjust Additional Settings (if necessary):
   • Under the “Settings” section, you can enable options like “Run this program as an administrator” if required.
6. Apply and Save Changes:
   • Click “Apply” to save the changes.
   • Click “OK” to close the Properties window.
7. Restart QuickBooks:
   • Close any open instances of QuickBooks.
   • Reopen QuickBooks to see if the compatibility adjustments have resolved the issue.

Method 8: Using QuickBooks Tool Hub to Resolve Display-Related Issues

To resolve common issues with your QuickBooks Desktop software, you can utilize the “Quick Fix my Program” tool available within the QuickBooks Tools Hub. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to assist you:

Step 1: Download and Install the QuickBooks Tools Hub

1. Close QuickBooks Desktop: Ensure that QuickBooks Desktop is not running.
2. Download the Tools Hub:
   • Visit the official Intuit website to download the latest version of the QuickBooks Tools Hub.
3. Install the Tools Hub:
   • Open the downloaded file (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application.
   • Once installed, double-click the Tools Hub icon on your desktop to launch it.

Step 2: Run the “Quick Fix my Program” Tool

1. Access the Program Problems Tab:
   • In the QuickBooks Tools Hub, select the “Program Problems” tab from the left-hand menu.
2. Initiate the Quick Fix:
   • Click on the “Quick Fix my Program” button. This will close any open background processes related to QuickBooks and perform a quick repair on the program.
3. Wait for the Process to Complete:
   • The tool will run for a few minutes. Once finished, you’ll receive a notification.
4. Reopen QuickBooks Desktop:
   • Launch QuickBooks Desktop to see if the issue has been resolved.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure Administrative Rights: Run the QuickBooks Tools Hub as an administrator to allow it to make necessary system changes.

Method 9: Adjusting Color Depth and Font Scaling in Windows

Adjusting color depth and font scaling in Windows can enhance display quality and readability. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Adjusting Color Depth in Windows:

1. Access Display Settings:
   • Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
   • Select “Display settings” from the context menu.
2. Open Advanced Display Settings:
   • In the Display settings window, scroll down and click on “Advanced display settings.”
3. Select the Appropriate Display:
   • If you have multiple monitors, choose the one you want to configure from the “Select a display” dropdown menu.
4. View Adapter Properties:
   • Click on “Display adapter properties for Display [X]” (where [X] corresponds to the selected display).
5. Access Monitor Settings:
   • In the Adapter Properties window, navigate to the “Monitor” tab.
6. Adjust Color Depth:
   • Under “Colors,” open the dropdown menu and select your desired color depth (e.g., “True Color (32-bit)”).
   • Click “Apply,” then “OK” to confirm the changes.

Adjusting Font Scaling (Text Size) in Windows:

1. Open Display Settings:
   • Right-click on your desktop and choose “Display settings.”
2. Adjust Scale and Layout:
   • In the Display settings window, find the “Scale and layout” section.
   • To change the size of text, apps, and other items, select a scaling percentage from the dropdown menu (e.g., 125%, 150%).
3. Apply Custom Scaling (if needed):
   • If the preset options don’t suit your needs, click on “Advanced scaling settings.”
   • Enter a custom scaling size between 100% and 500% in the provided box.
   • Click “Apply.”
   • Sign out of your account when prompted to apply the custom scaling.

Best Practices for Configuring Display Settings in QuickBooks

Configuring display settings in QuickBooks optimizes your user experience and ensures the software functions correctly. Follow these detailed steps to adjust your display settings:

1. Adjust Screen Resolution:
   • For Windows Users:
     1. Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.”
     2. Under “Display resolution,” choose a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher for optimal viewing.
     3. Click “Apply,” then confirm the changes.
   • For Mac Users:
     1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
     2. Choose “Displays,” then select the “Display” tab.
     3. Set the resolution to “Default for display” or select a higher resolution if available.
2. Set DPI Scaling to 100%:
   • For Windows Users:
     1. In “Display settings,” scroll to “Scale and layout.”
     2. Set the scaling to 100% (Recommended).
     3. If using multiple monitors, adjust the scaling for each one individually.
   • For Mac Users:
     1. In the “Displays” settings, under the “Display” tab, select “Scaled.”
     2. Choose a scaling option that provides a clear and sharp display, ensuring it’s not set to enlarge text excessively.
3. Configure Compatibility Settings for QuickBooks (Windows Only):
   1. Navigate to the QuickBooks installation folder (commonly found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year]).
   2. Right-click on the QuickBooks executable file (QBW32.exe) and select “Properties.”
   3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
   4. Check the box for “Override high DPI scaling behavior.”
   5. In the dropdown menu, select “System” or “System (Enhanced).”
   6. Click “Apply,” then “OK.”
4. Update Graphics Drivers:
   • Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date to prevent display issues.
   • For Windows Users:
     1. Open “Device Manager.”
     2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
     3. Right-click your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
     4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
   • For Mac Users:
     1. Keep your macOS updated, as graphics drivers are included with system updates.
     2. Click on the Apple menu, select “System Preferences,” then “Software Update.”
     3. Install any available updates.
5. Adjust QuickBooks View Preferences:
   1. Open QuickBooks.
   2. Go to the “Edit” menu and select “Preferences.”
   3. Choose “Desktop View” from the list on the left.
   4. In the “My Preferences” tab, select your preferred view (e.g., “Multiple Windows” or “One Window”).
   5. Click “OK” to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you can configure your display settings to enhance your QuickBooks experience and minimize potential display-related problems.

Recommended Hardware and Display Settings for QuickBooks

To ensure optimal performance of QuickBooks, it’s essential to have the appropriate hardware and configure your display settings correctly. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you set up your system for the best experience with QuickBooks.

1. Verify System Requirements

Before installing QuickBooks, ensure your computer meets the following minimum hardware specifications:

• Processor: 2.4 GHz or higher
• RAM: 8 GB (recommended: 16 GB)
• Disk Space: 2.5 GB available (additional space required for data files)
• Operating System: Windows 10 or later
• Internet Connection: Required for updates and online features

2. Optimize Display Settings

Proper display settings are crucial for clear visibility and functionality within QuickBooks. Follow these steps to adjust your display:

• Screen Resolution:
  1. Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.”
  2. Scroll down to “Display resolution.”
  3. Set the resolution to at least 1920 x 1080 pixels.
• Scaling Settings:
  1. In the same “Display settings” window, find “Scale and layout.”
  2. Set the scaling to 100% (recommended) to ensure QuickBooks displays correctly.

3. Adjust Compatibility Settings for QuickBooks

If you experience display issues, adjusting the compatibility settings can help:

1. Navigate to the QuickBooks installation folder.
2. Right-click on the QuickBooks executable file (e.g., QBW32.EXE) and select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check the box for “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings.”
5. Click “Apply,” then “OK.”

Wrapping it Up!

Thus, we can conclude that having a black or blurry screen due to QuickBooks Desktop Display Issue can be very frustrating or annoying.

However, if the problem continues to bother you even after performing all the steps available in this write-up, don’t delay to call at our toll-free number +1-802-778-9005 and get the best assistance through our QuickBooks customer service executives.

FAQs

How can I easily resolve QuickBooks Desktop Display Issues?

Most display issues in QuickBooks Desktop can be resolved by closing all the ongoing QuickBooks processes.

The steps to be performed are as follows:

1. To start, relaunch your QuickBooks software.
2. Now, hit the Windows Start tab and navigate to the Start menu.
3. Enter Task Manager into the search bar and open the same.
4. After this, hit the Processes tab. This will start showing the current processes running on your system.
5. Next, look for a process- QuickBooks (32-bit) or exe.
6. When you find the process linked with the QuickBooks software, choose the same and select the End Process option.
7. However, if it is not spotted, then it means that all the QuickBooks instances are already closed.
8. And lastly, reboot your system and check if the display issues get fixed.

Why did my QuickBooks desktop turn black and white?

If you’re encountering a QuickBooks black and white screen, it may be due to display settings, outdated graphic drivers, a compromised QuickBooks installation or screen resolution is not properly optimized.

To fix the QuickBooks black and white screen issue, try these steps:

1. Right-click the QuickBooks icon, go to Properties, and under the Compatibility tab, disable display scaling on high DPI settings. Click Apply and OK.
2. Open QuickBooks, go to Edit > Preferences > Desktop View, and switch the view from Multiple Windows to One Window.
3. Lastly, adjust your Windows DPI and screen resolution settings for better display.

What to do if the font size looks fuzzy or strange due to QuickBooks Display Issues?

If you are getting stuck with QB desktop display issues, Changing the Desktop View Preferences is the best option to rectify it as soon as possible. To do this, open your company file and choose Preferences from the edit menu. After this, select Desktop View and then My Preferences. Once done, you must switch View from Multiple Windows to One Window.

Why am I getting into QuickBooks Desktop Display Issues?

There are a variety of reasons behind the occurrence of QB display issues, such as High Resolution of DPI (Dot Per Inch) Settings, faulty View Preferences, older or outdated Graphic Drivers, incompatible Windows Display Settings, and misconfigured Internet Browser Compatibility Settings, etc.

Where to Find the Settings Icon in QuickBooks Desktop?

The Settings icon in QuickBooks Desktop looks like a gear and is located on the homepage.

How to Access and Edit Settings:

1. Click the Gear icon on the homepage.
2. Select Accounts and Settings.
3. Choose a tab and click Edit in the section you want to update.
4. Make your changes, then click Save.
5. Click Done to close the settings.

Customizing Your QuickBooks Display:

1. Open the QuickBooks menu.
2. Select Settings > Toolbar/Tabs.
3. Choose Use Tabbed Windows and customize how windows appear.

How Windows Updates Can Trigger QuickBooks Display Errors?

Windows updates can sometimes cause display issues in QuickBooks due to changes in system configurations, compatibility conflicts, or driver updates. 

How Multi-Monitor Setups and High-Resolution Screens Can Trigger QuickBooks Display Errors?

QuickBooks can encounter display issues when used with multi-monitor setups or high-resolution (4K, UHD) screens due to compatibility problems with Windows scaling, DPI settings, and graphics drivers.

QuickBooks Desktop Freezing? Try These Fixes

If your QuickBooks Desktop keeps freezing, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Update QuickBooks – Open QuickBooks, go to the Update Now tab, and click Get Updates. Restart the program after the update.
2. Use QuickBooks Tool Hub – Open the Tool Hub, go to Program Problems, and run the QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool. Restart your computer once it’s done.
3. Close Unnecessary Programs – Shut down other running applications to free up system resources.
4. Repair Damaged Files – Use the Tool Hub to scan and fix corrupted QuickBooks files.
5. Update Windows – Ensure your operating system is up to date.
6. End QuickBooks Task – If QuickBooks is stuck, open Task Manager, find QuickBooks, and select End Task.
7. Run in Compatibility Mode – Right-click QuickBooks, select Properties > Compatibility, check Run this program in compatibility mode for, and choose a Windows version.
8. Run as Administrator – Right-click QuickBooks, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Run this program as an administrator.

Following these steps should help resolve most freezing issues.

Disclaimer: The information outlined above for “How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Display Issues in Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7?” is applicable to all supported versions, including QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Accountant, and Enterprise. It is designed to work with operating systems such as Windows 7, 10, and 11, as well as macOS.