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How to Fix VS Code Blurry Text on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Blurry text in Visual Studio Code on Windows 11 can be frustrating and affect your coding experience. It usually happens because of display scaling or compatibility settings. Fortunately, fixing this issue is straightforward with a few simple adjustments.

This guide will walk you through clear, easy-to-follow steps to make your VS Code text crisp and sharp again. No technical jargon—just practical solutions you can apply right now.

Whether you’re using a high-resolution monitor or have recently upgraded to Windows 11, these fixes will help you improve text clarity in VS Code. Let’s get started.

Follow each step carefully in the order provided for the best results.

Quick Note

Before diving into the fixes, make sure:

  • You have the latest version of Visual Studio Code installed.
  • Your Windows 11 system is up to date with the latest updates.
  • Your display drivers are current and properly installed.
  • You know whether you are using a standard or high-DPI (high resolution) monitor.

Step 1: Adjust Display Scaling Settings

Windows 11 uses display scaling to make text and apps look larger or smaller based on your screen size and resolution. Sometimes, this scaling can cause apps like VS Code to appear blurry.

Here is how to adjust the scaling for VS Code:

  1. Right-click the Visual Studio Code shortcut or executable file (Code.exe).
  2. Select Properties from the context menu.
  3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  4. Click on Change high DPI settings.
  5. Under High DPI scaling override, check the box that says Override high DPI scaling behavior.
  6. From the dropdown below, choose Application.
  7. Click OK and then Apply.
  8. Restart Visual Studio Code to see if the text is clearer.

Why this matters: This setting tells Windows to let VS Code handle scaling, which usually fixes blurry text by preventing Windows from resizing the app improperly.

Step 2: Change VS Code’s Zoom Level

If the text looks blurry because it’s too small or too large, adjusting the zoom level inside VS Code can help.

To do this:

  • Open VS Code.
  • Press Ctrl and + to zoom in or Ctrl and - to zoom out.
  • You can also go to the menu View > Appearance > Zoom In/Out.

This often improves readability and can reduce perceived blurriness by making the text size more comfortable.

Step 3: Modify VS Code’s Font Settings

Sometimes blurry text happens due to the font or font rendering settings inside VS Code itself.

Here’s how to customize these settings:

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Press Ctrl + , to open the Settings panel.
  3. In the search bar, type font family.
  4. Try changing the Editor: Font Family to a system font like Consolas, Courier New, or Fira Code.
  5. Scroll down to Editor: Font Ligatures and toggle it off if it’s enabled, as ligatures can sometimes cause rendering issues.
  6. Test if the text looks sharper after these changes.

Tip: Using default system fonts helps with compatibility and usually improves clarity.

Step 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration in VS Code

Hardware acceleration allows VS Code to use your graphics card to render the interface. Sometimes this feature can cause blurry text, especially on certain graphics drivers.

To disable hardware acceleration:

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Press Ctrl + , to open Settings.
  3. Search for hardware acceleration.
  4. Find the setting called Window: Enable GPU Acceleration or window.titleBarStyle (depending on VS Code version).
  5. Uncheck or set the option to false.
  6. Close and restart VS Code.

Disabling hardware acceleration forces VS Code to use software rendering, which can fix blurry or fuzzy text on some systems.

Alternative Method: Change Windows Display Settings

If the problem persists, you can try adjusting the Windows display scaling globally:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Under Scale & layout, try setting the scaling to 100%, 125%, or 150% to see which looks best.
  3. Sign out and sign back in for changes to fully apply if prompted.

Be aware this affects all apps and might make UI elements too small or too large, so adjust it carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is VS Code text blurry only on my Windows 11 PC?

Blurry text usually results from display scaling conflicts between Windows and VS Code. High-DPI screens need special handling, and without proper scaling settings, text can appear fuzzy.

Can updating graphics drivers fix blurry text?

Yes. Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause rendering issues. Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date by visiting your manufacturer’s website or using Windows Update.

Does changing the font in VS Code help with blurriness?

Sometimes it does. Certain fonts render better on screen, and disabling font ligatures can improve clarity. Experimenting with different fonts can help you find the sharpest option.

Is there a way to reset VS Code settings if nothing works?

Yes. You can reset VS Code settings by opening the command palette (Ctrl + Shift + P), typing Preferences: Open Settings (JSON), and manually removing or editing problematic settings.

Why does disabling hardware acceleration help?

Hardware acceleration offloads rendering to your GPU, but sometimes driver issues or incompatibilities cause blurry output. Disabling it forces software rendering, which is often more stable.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and the text in VS Code remains blurry, consider the following final options:

  • Reinstall Visual Studio Code: Uninstall and download the latest version from the official VS Code website.
  • Check Microsoft Support: Visit the Windows 11 support page for any known display issues.
  • Use VS Code Insiders: Try the Insiders build of VS Code, which sometimes includes fixes before stable releases.
  • Report an Issue: Submit a bug report on the VS Code GitHub repository.

Conclusion

Blurry text in Visual Studio Code on Windows 11 is a common but solvable problem. Most issues stem from display scaling or hardware acceleration settings. By methodically adjusting compatibility options, zoom levels, font settings, and hardware acceleration, you can restore crisp and clear text.

Always start with the simplest fixes like adjusting DPI settings before moving to more advanced options. Keeping your system and drivers updated also plays a key role in preventing display problems.

With these steps, your VS Code environment should look sharp and comfortable for coding once again.

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