How to Fix Monitor Scaling and Overscan Issues Using CRU

Struggling with black borders around your screen? Is your display either zoomed in or cut off? You’re likely dealing with scaling or overscan issues, common problems when working with custom resolutions. These display headaches can be particularly frustrating when you are trying to optimize your monitor’s output for gaming, media consumption, or professional tasks. The good news? There’s a free and powerful tool that can help: Custom Resolution Utility (CRU).

In this guide, I will walk you through how to fix monitor scaling and overscan issues using CRU.

What Is CRU (Custom Resolution Utility)?

Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) is a utility developed by ToastyX that allows users to edit and create custom display resolutions, refresh rates, and other monitor parameters. It works with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, and some Intel configurations, offering deeper customization than most native GPU settings.

Key Features:

  • Create and edit custom resolutions
  • Override EDID (Extended Display Identification Data)
  • Remove or fix scaling issues
  • Tweak HDMI and DVI signal formats
  • Enable or disable monitor limits

Understanding Scaling and Overscan Issues

Before diving into the solution, it’s helpful to understand what causes these issues:

What is Scaling?

Scaling refers to how an image fits the screen. Poor scaling can lead to blurry visuals or borders around your display. Common symptoms include:

  • Black bars around the desktop
  • Text and images appearing stretched or squashed

What is Overscan?

Overscan is when the image extends beyond the edges of your display, cropping off parts of the interface. This is more common with TVs or monitors used as TVs (especially over HDMI).

These issues often occur when setting custom resolutions or using display setups that differ from factory presets.

Step 1: Download and Install CRU

  1. Visit the official CRU page at https://www.monitortests.com/cru.
  2. Download the ZIP archive and extract it.
  3. Open CRU.exe (no installation required).

⚠️ Important: Before making changes, create a system restore point or backup your current display settings. CRU modifies EDID data, and incorrect configurations can result in a blank screen.

Step 2: Identify the Problem Display

When you open CRU, it shows all connected displays in a drop-down list. Select the one with scaling or overscan problems.

You will see sections like:

  • Detailed Resolutions
  • Standard Resolutions
  • Extension Blocks

You’ll be working mainly within these areas to correct your issue.

Step 3: Add or Edit a Custom Resolution

To fix overscan or improper scaling, adding a custom resolution that matches your display’s native resolution is crucial.

Steps:

  1. Under Detailed Resolutions, click Add.
  2. In the new window, set the resolution to your monitor’s native (e.g., 1920×1080).
  3. Choose Automatic (PC) or LCD Standard timing for best compatibility.
  4. Click OK to save.

If your display is a TV and using HDMI, you may need to:

  • Use CVT-Reduced Blanking or HDTV timing.
  • Ensure refresh rate matches your display (e.g., 60Hz for most TVs).

Step 4: Disable Unwanted Resolutions

CRU lets you remove problematic or unnecessary resolutions that might be causing scaling conflicts.

  1. Under Standard Resolutions and Extension Blocks, look for resolutions you’re not using.
  2. Select and Delete them to ensure your system defaults to the custom resolution.

🔧 Pro Tip: Disabling lower resolutions can force the GPU and display to communicate using your preferred settings only.

Step 5: Restart Graphics Driver

After applying your changes in CRU, you need to restart your graphics driver.

Use Restart.exe

  1. Open the CRU folder.
  2. Run restart64.exe (for 64-bit systems) or restart.exe (for 32-bit systems).
  3. Your screen may flicker or go black for a few seconds. This is normal.

Alternatively, you can reboot your PC.

Step 6: Configure GPU Scaling (Optional)

Sometimes GPU scaling options from your graphics control panel can interfere with custom resolutions. Here’s how to align them:

For AMD Users:

  • Open AMD Radeon Software
  • Go to Display > Scaling Mode
  • Choose Full Panel

For NVIDIA Users:

  • Right-click desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel
  • Go to Display > Adjust Desktop Size and Position
  • Select Full-screen under scaling options

For Intel Users:

  • Open Intel Graphics Command Center
  • Go to Display > Scaling
  • Choose Maintain Display Scaling or Custom Aspect Ratio as needed

Step 7: Test the New Settings

Once your driver restarts and scaling options are set, it’s time to test.

  1. Right-click the desktop and go to Display Settings.
  2. Ensure the resolution matches what you set in CRU.
  3. Launch a full-screen video or game to confirm there’s no overscan or black borders.

If the image fits perfectly and maintains clarity, your fix is successful!

Troubleshooting Tips

Problem: No Signal or Black Screen

  • Boot into Safe Mode and delete CRU changes using reset-all.exe
  • Reboot and start over with different timing settings

Problem: Resolution Not Listed

  • Make sure you added it under Detailed Resolutions, not just Standard
  • Use restart.exe instead of rebooting to apply changes more effectively

Problem: Scaling Still Off

  • Double-check GPU scaling settings in your graphics control panel
  • Recreate the resolution with different timing (try CVT or Manual)

Problem: HDMI TV Cropping Edges

  • Use HDTV timing in CRU
  • Set GPU scaling to Full Panel or No Scaling

Advanced Tips

  • Multiple Displays: CRU can handle multi-monitor setups, but apply changes individually.
  • High Refresh Rates: You can create custom high refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz), but test carefully for stability.
  • Pixel Clock Limits: CRU can override pixel clock limits for HDMI/DVI, but this may require patching drivers (advanced users only).

Scaling and overscan problems can turn your display from a crisp, immersive experience into a distorted mess. Thankfully, Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) offers an in-depth way to take control and fix these issues. By carefully adding or modifying resolutions, adjusting timing, and syncing your GPU scaling settings, you can restore your display to its full glory.

Whether you’re trying to fix black bars on your TV, optimize your monitor for gaming, or just want a perfect 1:1 pixel ratio, CRU gives you the tools to do it. With a little patience and this guide by your side, you’re well on your way to solving one of the most frustrating problems in custom display configuration.

Happy tweaking – and enjoy your perfect display!

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