This wikiHow teaches you how to calibrate your computer screen to ensure correct color and brightness settings. Screen calibration is important when you are creating or editing visual projects for others because poor calibration can result in a “dull” or inappropriate color or visual appearance of the final project on someone else's monitor.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing for Calibration
Step 1. Understand the right time to calibrate
In general, high resolution monitors connected to desktop units (eg 4K displays) require calibration before they can display colors and content correctly. Without calibration, the monitor will produce a blurry display or blurred texture.
- Low quality monitors (eg 720p resolution monitors), especially those used for playing games or other light activities do not require calibration. Nonetheless, the calibration itself is worth trying.
- The device's built-in monitor (eg laptop screen) rarely requires calibration, but you can calibrate it using the same process as calibrating a separate monitor.
Step 2. Clean the monitor if necessary
If your computer screen is dirty or smudged with smudges, take the time to wipe it down before performing the calibration.
Step 3. Place the monitor in a neutral lighting environment
The monitor must not be exposed to spotlights or direct light. For best results, ensure that the monitor is located in a room that is not exposed to a direct beam of natural or artificial light.
Step 4. Connect the monitor to the computer using a high-quality cable
If possible, make sure the monitor is connected to the computer using a DisplayPort cable.
You can use an HDMI cable if you don't have a DisplayPort option, but try not to use a DVI, VGA, or other low-quality connector
Step 5. Turn on the monitor for about 30 minutes before continuing
By turning it on, the monitor has enough time to "warm up".
If your computer is set to enter hibernation mode or use a screen saver (screensaver), move the mouse every few minutes to keep the monitor from turning off
Step 6. Change the monitor resolution back to the original setting if necessary
By default, the monitor must display the highest resolution required for calibration:
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Windows - Open menu “ Start ”
Windowsstart click Settings ”
Windowssettings click " System ", choose " Display ”, click the “Resolution” drop-down box, and select the “Recommended” resolution. Click " keep changes ' when prompted.
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Mac - Open Apple menu
Macapple1 click " System Preferences… ", choose " Displays ", click the tab " Display ”, hold down the Option key while clicking “ Scaled ”, select the connected monitor, and check the “Default for display” box.
Part 2 of 4: Performing Monitor Calibration on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Open the calibration tool
Type calibrate display, then click Calibrate display color ” at the top of the “Start” menu.
Step 3. Make sure the calibration equipment shows the proper display
If you are using dual monitors, you may need to move the calibration window to the secondary monitor.
Step 4. Click Next
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 5. Set the monitor to its default color settings
If necessary, press the "Menu" button on the monitor, then select a default color setting from the on-screen menu.
- This step is not mandatory if you have never changed the color settings on the monitor directly (not through computer settings).
- Skip this step if you are using a laptop.
Step 6. Click Next
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 7. Review the "Good gamma" example, then click Next
An example of " Good gamma " is in the middle of the page. Ideally, you should set the gamma level according to the example.
Step 8. Adjust the screen gamma level
Click and drag the slider on the left side of the page up or down to increase or decrease the gamma level. Make sure the cube in the center of the page resembles the " Good gamma " example in the previous step.
Step 9. Click Next twice
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 10. Review the "Good brightness" sample, then click Next
If you are using a laptop, click the “ Skip ” in the middle of the page and skip the next two steps.
Step 11. Adjust the screen brightness level
Open the display menu by pressing the " Menu " button, then select the " Brightness " segment and increase or decrease the brightness level as needed.
The brightness level needs to be adjusted until the screen display meets the criteria described below the image in the center of the page
Step 12. Click Next
It's in the lower-right corner of the page. After that, you will be taken to the "Contrast" sample page.
Step 13. Review the "Good contrast" sample, then click Next
Again, if you are using a laptop, skip the next two steps.
Step 14. Adjust the screen contrast level
Use the display menu to increase or decrease the contrast level until the photo in the center of the page matches the criteria shown below the photo.
Step 15. Click Next twice
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 16. Adjust the color balance
Click and drag each slider at the bottom of the page left or right until you see a neutral gray (not greenish, reddish, or bluish hue) in the bar at the top of the page.
Step 17. Click Next, then review the changes
You can click on the option “ Previous calibration ” to see the monitor display before making changes and clicking “ Current calibration ” to see the difference.
Step 18. Click Finish
It's at the bottom of the page. The calibration settings will be saved.
Part 3 of 4: Calibrating the Monitor on a Mac Komputer
Step 1. Open Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 2. Click System Preferences…
This option is in the drop-down menu. After that, the “System Preferences” window will be opened.
Step 3. Click Displays
This option is in the “System Preferences” window. A pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 4. Click Color
This tab is at the top of the “Displays” window.
Step 5. Click Calibrate…
This option is on the right side of the page.
Step 6. Click Continue
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 7. Follow the prompts shown on the screen
The options you see in this window may differ depending on the monitor you are using. However, usually you just need to click the “ Continue ” in the lower right corner of the page until you reach the password entry prompt.
Step 8. Enter the password when prompted
Type the password used to log into the computer in the "Password" text field, then click " OK ”.
Step 9. Click Done when prompted
After that, the monitor calibration settings will be saved.
Part 4 of 4: Using a Colorimeter
Step 1. Understand why you need to buy a colorimeter
A colorimeter is a piece of hardware that is placed on top of the screen. This device works with the software included in the purchase package to adjust the color calibration and brightness of the monitor, regardless of room lighting and other visual disturbances.
Step 2. Select and purchase a colorimeter based on your needs
Colorimeters are offered in a variety of options, from devices for personal use (sold for around US$150) to corporate use (for over US$1,000). Therefore, buy a device that fits your budget.
- Spyder is a brand of colorimeter products that are considered trusted and of high quality.
- Make sure you buy a device that is compatible with the operating system. Most products work on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, but cheaper alternatives may not work on certain operating systems.
Step 3. Make sure you have properly prepared your monitor
If you haven't placed the monitor in a neutral-light environment and heated it up, do so first.
It is very important that you make sure the monitor is clean, as stains or dust can prevent the colorimeter from functioning properly
Step 4. Install the colorimeter program if necessary
Some devices come with a CD that can be used to install colorimeter software components.
- You may need to install the program after connecting the colorimeter, and not before, depending on the device.
- The colorimeter may install the appropriate program automatically once it is connected to the computer.
Step 5. Connect the colorimeter
Plug the colorimeter's USB cable into one of the empty USB ports.
- Make sure you are using a USB port that is directly connected to your computer, and not a USB hub or USB port on your keyboard.
- You may need to turn on the colorimeter before proceeding to the next step.
Step 6. Follow the prompts shown on the screen
Once the computer recognizes the connected colorimeter, you can see a pop-up window. Follow the prompts or instructions that appear on the screen.
Step 7. Place the colorimeter on top of the screen
The device needs to be mounted exactly in the center of the monitor, with the lens facing the screen.
Most colorimeter programs display an outline that conforms to the shape of the device to indicate proper unit placement
Step 8. Run the calibration process
Click " Next " or " Start ” (or similar button) in the pop-up window for the program to perform calibration. The program will run until the calibration is complete. At this point, you will be asked to remove the colorimeter.
You may need to click on several options or follow on-screen prompts before or during the calibration process
Tips
- A free website called "Lagom LCD monitor test" contains a number of different pages where you can manually calibrate your monitor.
- Some monitors have or display uneven lighting. To test it, drag the image around the screen and notice if the image appears lighter or darker in certain areas. There's no way to fix an error like this (except replacing the unit), but if you see uneven lighting like this, just pay attention to one area of the screen during the calibration process so that the calibration results don't change or go wrong.
Warning
- If you have more than one calibration program on your computer, make sure you run only one program. Otherwise, these programs may cause screen settings conflicts.
- It's a good idea not to use the automatic calibration option as these settings are usually adjusted for the monitor, and not geared towards more optimal calibration results.
