Earlier, people used the monitor primarily for processing information, while the television was strictly for entertainment. Well, since the 1980s, monitors have gained more recognition. As a result, their usage has evolved from processing data to including leisure, which involves gaming.
As monitors evolved, newer versions emerged to enhance the gaming experience. However, some gamers have reported instances of their monitor shutting off while playing games. In this article, we’ll see why this happens and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does Your Monitor Shut Off When Playing Games?
We can attribute this problem to some reasons:
Overheating:
The monitor comprises certain vital parts that are not heat-friendly. When the temperature is too high, the monitor will shut down on its own as a self-preservative measure to prevent damage to any of its parts.
So, when your monitor shuts off during a game, check your system for the temperature. If it’s hot, that could explain why your monitor went off.
Cable issues:
If your monitor shuts off while gaming, the problem may be with your cables, improper installation, or even a faulty cord.
Since many cables are connected to your monitor, you’d need to isolate the problem-causing cord. To do this, disconnect them individually while checking for any loose connection or broken cable end.
Another possible instance is that your cables may be good, but you plugged them into the wrong port.
Insufficient power supply:
Your monitor can shut off if the power supply exceeds the required specifications.
Faulty monitor:
Finally, it may even be that your monitor is bad. If your monitor has a circuit malfunction, it can cause the monitor to shut off while in use. If some wires are loose or too short, or not well connected, it can cause the monitor to shut off or go blank.
Now that we have identified some of the possible reasons why your monitor shuts off while you’re playing games, how can we fix it?
Solutions
- Check your system to determine the required temperature. If it’s too high, put off the monitor and unplug it from the power supply.
Ensure it cools completely. If you have a cooling system, like a fan or air conditioner, now will be the best time to concentrate that cooler on the monitor. Please don’t use it until it is completely cool. Then, when it’s cool, you can plug it into its power source and use it.
- You can remove your cable and plug it in again tightly if it is loose. If you discover damage to any of the wires, replace them.
- Also, check your ports for damage. If available, switch your cord to another port and see whether it resolves the issue.
- Your monitor requires a certain voltage. First, check online for the required voltage on your system and ensure the power supply is sufficient. If the current voltage is not enough, upgrade your power supply.
- If your monitor is faulty, it is best to buy a new one. The cost of repairing a monitor is almost the same if not more, than the cost of getting a new one.
One or more of these suggestions should bring your monitor back on. However, the problem might lie with the motherboard if it doesn’t. We do advise, though, that you take it to a technician to look at it for you.
So, you want to get a new monitor for gaming activity? What factors should you consider?
Factors To Consider Before Getting A Monitor For Gaming
Response time:
This refers to the amount of time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another, and it reads in milliseconds.
Lower milliseconds will produce better viewing, as the colors move smoothly, especially in fast scenes. Conversely, higher milliseconds may result in blur images and ghosting.
Although some gamers prefer one millisecond, a response time of two or four milliseconds is also suitable for gaming.
A monitor with a fast pixel response rate is suitable for gaming. Rapid pixel rate makes the color change fast, giving you a smooth image transition. One factor that affects response time is the kind of panel used for the display.
Panel type:
There are various panel types, and they all have their pros and cons.
Twisted Nematic (TN) is the most popular and is inexpensive. They offer a high refresh rate and a fast pixel response. The problem with this panel is that it shows a blue color when viewed from some angles.
Vertical alignment (VN) offers bright color and a high native contrast ratio, but it can also create a ghosting effect that is unsuitable for gamers.
In-plane switching (IPS) panels offer a remarkable all-around color effect, a wide viewing range, and solid gray-scale performance. However, they do not provide a fast response time.
Refresh rate:
A refresh rate (Hz) refers to the amount of time an image displays per second on the screen. A monitor’s refresh tells you how many frames it can display per second.
An LCD monitor has 60Hz, which means it can draw an image 60 times per second. However, this rate is slow, especially for professional gaming, as it would produce blurred images.
A monitor with a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz would be more suitable for gaming. A higher refresh rate means the images refresh faster, offering a smooth and fast gaming experience.
Resolution:
Monitors have a range of display resolutions, from HD to 4K. The higher your monitor’s resolution, the sharper and clearer the image will be.
Screen size:
Bigger screen sizes offer a more pleasant gaming experience as the graphics are more precise and distinct. So invest in a bigger screen if you’re a serious gamer.
Input lag:
This refers to the amount of time it takes for your input to display on the screen. Input lag is also measured in milliseconds.
The lower the lag or latency, the better the gaming experience will be. So, you need to ensure your monitor can keep up with the pace of your game in receiving, processing, and displaying imputed information as fast as possible.
Adjustable monitor:
An adjustable monitor stand gives a gamer the added advantage of tilting the monitor to his desired position. It helps you align your eyes properly to have the best gaming experience.
These factors would help you make informed choices before parting with your cash. However, can a monitor cause your game to crash?
Can A Monitor Crash A Game?
Your monitor isn’t responsible for game crashes. However, if your game crashes, it may likely be a driver or graphics card problem.
For gamers using multiple monitors, it could be that the second monitor is putting too much load on the video card. This extra strain can cause a game to crash.
There are different types of monitors. But which one is most suitable for gaming? Continue reading for more information.
What Types Of Monitors Are Best For Gaming?
Monitors come in different types and sizes. However, not all the classes will give you a good gaming experience.
Monitors have developed over time. We’ve had cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma TVs, and now light-emitting diodes (LED). Which of these is best for gaming?
Cathode ray tubes have gone obsolete:
Of course, the cathode ray tubes are now obsolete and are out of the question. LCD monitors are the successors of the cathode ray tubes.
LCD monitors have poor refresh rates:
LCD monitors have fast CRT monitors because of their thin body and lightweight. They have excellent image quality and superb color. However, it has a poor refresh rate and so is not suitable for gaming.
Plasma TVs may offer a good experience:
A plasma monitor is an offshoot of plasma technology. It illuminates the light that forms image pixels. It is slim, has a reasonable response rate, is fast, and has a wide viewing range as it can be as expansive as 60 inches. However, it is pretty expensive, heavy, scarce, and uses more electricity.
LED, OLED & DLP are now popular with gamers:
LED and OLED monitors are better versions of LCD monitors. They offer better image quality, are durable and reliable, consume less power, and have a higher dynamic contrast ratio.
LEDs are more popular and have a light-emitting diode behind the screen, increasing their brightness. In addition, OLED monitors can produce different colored lights that correct the screen color, eliminating the need for backlighting. However, one disadvantage of OLED monitors is that they are not water-resistant.
Digital Light Processing (DLP) monitors have three natural colors, and they are excellent at displaying them. This kind of monitor is a treasure of movie lovers and gamers who love good picture quality.
Meanwhile, curved monitors are a gamer’s delight:
Gamers love curved monitors. Playing games on a curved monitor makes it feel like you are part of the action. However, they can be pretty expensive.
Conclusion
It can be frustrating when your monitor shuts off while you’re playing a game. However, you can do some quick troubleshooting and find possible solutions.
Possible reasons for this occurrence include overheating, damaged cables, faulty cable connections, insufficient power supply, or even a faulty monitor.
While a faulty monitor or damaged cables will need replacement, issues like wrong connection, overheating, and insufficient power supply have simple fixes as discussed above.
