White Bar on Top of Screen: Causes and Solutions

The appearance of a white bar at the top of the screen while gaming or using applications in full-screen mode can be a frustrating issue. This article delves into the potential causes and provides comprehensive solutions to resolve this problem.

Causes of the White Bar

The white bar issue can be attributed to several factors, including:

Graphics Issues: Incompatible or outdated graphics drivers can cause scaling problems, leading to the display of a white bar.

Resolution Conflicts: Incorrect screen resolution settings can result in the white bar appearing, especially when switching between different applications or games.

Monitor Compatibility: Mismatched refresh rates or resolutions between the monitor and the graphics card can also contribute to this issue.

Solutions to Fix the White Bar

To effectively address the white bar issue, consider the following solutions:

1. Adjust Screen Resolution via NVIDIA Control Panel:

Right-click on the desktop and select the NVIDIA Control Panel.

Navigate to Display Settings and select “Change Resolution.”

Even if the resolutions appear correct, change them temporarily and confirm.

Revert to the original or optimal resolution and apply the changes.

2. Scale Full Screen for Intel HD Graphics:

Right-click on the desktop and select Intel HD Graphics Settings.

Locate the “Display” section and choose “Scale Full Screen.”

Ensure that the “Override Application Settings” checkbox is marked.

This ensures that Intel HD graphics settings dictate the handling of full-screen resolution, potentially resolving the issue caused by Windows display settings.

3. Restart the Desktop Window Manager Process:

Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Under the “Processes” tab, locate the “Desktop Window Manager.”

Right-click on it and select “End Task.”

Sign out and sign back in to refresh the system.

Restarting the Desktop Window Manager can resolve one-off issues and restore normal functionality.

4. Modify the Registry:

Open the Registry Editor and navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar

Ensure that the “Locked” value is set to 1.

Restart the computer.

This registry tweak can help resolve the white bar issue in certain cases.

5. Restore the Computer to a Previous State:

If the white bar problem is recent and no other solutions have worked, consider restoring the computer to a previous restore point. This can undo any recent changes that may have caused the issue.
By implementing these solutions, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the white bar issue, ensuring an uninterrupted and immersive gaming or application experience.

FAQ

What causes the white bar to appear at the top of the screen?

The white bar can be caused by graphics issues, resolution conflicts, or monitor compatibility problems. Outdated graphics drivers, incorrect screen resolution settings, or mismatched refresh rates between the monitor and graphics card can all contribute to this issue.

How can I fix the white bar using the NVIDIA Control Panel?

To fix the white bar using the NVIDIA Control Panel:

Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Navigate to Display Settings and select “Change Resolution.”
Even if the resolutions appear correct, change them temporarily and confirm.
Revert to the original or optimal resolution and apply the changes.

What is the purpose of scaling full screen for Intel HD Graphics?

Scaling full screen for Intel HD Graphics ensures that the Intel HD graphics settings dictate how to handle full-screen resolution, overriding any potential issues caused by Windows display settings. This can help resolve the white bar problem in some cases.

How do I restart the Desktop Window Manager process?

To restart the Desktop Window Manager process:

Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
Under the “Processes” tab, locate the “Desktop Window Manager.”
Right-click on it and select “End Task.”
Sign out and sign back in to refresh the system.

What registry modification can help resolve the white bar issue?

To modify the registry to potentially resolve the white bar issue:

Open the Registry Editor and navigate to:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar
Ensure that the “Locked” value is set to 1.
Restart the computer.