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Have you noticed glowing areas around the corners of your IPS display? That is due to the defect widely known as IPS Glow.
Don’t be alarmed at mentioning the word ‘defect.’ It is not a hardware issue. IPS Glow is a technical flaw and arises due to the very working of the IPS panel. Our guide will help you understand what IPS Glow is and how you can reduce it if you experience this disturbing flaw.
Table of Contents
- What is IPS Glow?
- What Causes IPS Glow?
- IPS Glow vs. Backlight Bleed
- How to Reduce IPS Glow?
- Conclusion
What is IPS Glow?
IPS Glow, as the name signifies, is a defect that is present in the IPS panel. The main characteristic of IPS Glow is the glowing of light around the corners of an IPS screen. The defect is more apparent in low light settings and when darker visuals appear on the screen.
The viewing angle also contributes to the severity of the IPS Glow, and if you adjust the viewing angle, you can see a significant reduction in the amount of the glow. That being said, the defect is inherent to IPS panels.
It’s how the IPS panels work, so you can’t totally eliminate it. But you can reduce it to the point where it no longer is a hindrance and has no significant effect on the viewing experience.
What Causes IPS Glow?
IPS glow is not a hardware defect. It does not arise due to the malfunctioning of any internal components of the monitor. So you can relax, your monitor is healthy and running fine. IPS Glow is a result of excess light going through the display panel.
You will see this light radiating around the corners. The effect varies from model to model. Some monitors may have a considerable IPS glow, while in others, it may not be that prominent.
IPS Glow vs. Backlight Bleed
People often confuse IPS Glow with another very similar modern-day monitor defect, which is the Backlight Bleed. While both the defects might have a similar appearance, they are not the same. IPS Glow is the appearance of glowing around the corner of the screen, while Backlight Bleed is actually leaking of the light around the edges of the screen. It appears as streaks of light escaping through the edges.
Another major difference between IPS Glow vs. Backlight Bleed is the effect of surroundings on these defects. The viewing angle and, to some extent, the light settings of the room do not have any influence on the Backlight Bleed.
However, if you adjust the light and viewing angle, you will see a visible change in IPS Glow, it might become more apparent, or it might reduce to negligible. IPS Glow is not monitor defect whereas Backlight Bleed is a monitor defect.
How to Reduce IPS Glow?
Let us now look at some of the ways that could help you tackle IPS Glow. But first, you should understand that IPS Glow is tied to the screen; it’s part of it. It arises due to the internal working of the display, so there is no way to fix it completely.
Although, with few adjustments, we can contain it and keep it to a level that has a minimal effect on the display quality.
Adjust lightening in the room
Light settings of the room have a direct impact on IPS Glow. Light and IPS Glow seem to have an opposite relationship. The lower the light, the more apparent the IPS Glow. Adjust the light in the room to a brighter tone to reduce the intensity of the IPS Glow.
Adjust the viewing angle
IPS Glow seems to be more intense at some viewing angles than the other. Adjust your monitor’s position, height, and tilt according to the viewing angle till you find the right settings where IPS Glow is minimum.
Adjust the screen brightness
Some people keep the screen brightness to a maximum. High brightness, apart from being very harmful to eyes, also contributes to IPS Glow.
Adjust the screen brightness to a lower setting. While the display might appear a little dull for dew days, you will get used to the new setting. The lower brightness will reduce the IPS Glow, enhance the contrast, and will be soothing to your eyes.
Adjust the monitor distance
Distance between the monitor and the viewer also has an impact on IPS Glow. It will be more prominent if you are closer to the screen. Increasing the distance from the monitor is a good way of limiting IPS glow.
You can also mount the monitor on the wall; this way, you can modify the distance and viewing angle simultaneously. It could help you lessen the effect of IPS glow on display output.
Try Microfiber Cloth
If the above methods don’t work for you, the last thing you can do is using a cloth made of microfiber. You have to gently rub the corners of the screen for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t forget that it might work for you doesn’t mean it works for everyone but you can at least try.
Conclusion
Should you have to put up with IPS glow? Apparently, yes, unless you are planning to buy a new monitor. It’s a technology defect, and you can’t get rid of it completely. You should test the monitor for IPS glow before buying.
The newer models are better at handling IPS glow, and with most of them, it is undetectable. But if you are stuck with a display with pronounced IPS glow, you can try the troubleshooters we have listed here to reduce the effect.
