Sometimes, when you play a video in full-screen mode on your Mac, it looks a little blurry, pixelated, or squeezed from sides with unusual visual artifacts. This is called 'Video Distortion.
Video Distortion happens for many reasons, such as corrupted software or problematic drivers, an unstable connection between your CPU and the display, or else faulty hardware. In rare cases, the video may be corrupt. But don't worry, we'll discuss some steps to help you figure out the issue and fix it like a professional.
Reasons for Video Distortion in Full Screen Mode on Mac
A video distortion problem will cause the video played in full-screen mode to look blurry, pixelated, or squeezed from the corners. This can happen for a few different reasons, such as:
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Display resolution or other settings not configured properly
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Outdated graphics drivers.
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Mac device storage is full or doesn't have enough free space to play full-screen video
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Unsupported codecs or default media player in your Mac do not support the video file format.
Ways to Fix Video Distortion in Full-Screen Mode on Mac
The good news is that there are some quick ways to fix video distortion on a Mac and resolve this problem without approaching a professional or a Mac repair shop.
1. Switch to a Different Video Player App
One likely cause of video distortion on Mac is using an incompatible media player to open the video file. Try switching to a different video player like VLC or QuickTime and see if the video distortion problem is resolved while viewing in full-screen mode.
2. Readjust the Display Settings
One of the most common causes of video distortion is an incompatibility between your Mac's display settings and the video you're trying to watch. You can try adjusting the resolution of the video, refresh rate, and other display options to see if that fixes the video distortion in full-screen mode.
Go to System Preferences > Displays in your Mac system.
From here, you can experiment with different resolutions and readjust the settings until you find the video playing normally.
3. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can also lead to video distortion in full-screen mode on Mac. Hence, ensure you have the latest drivers installed by checking for macOS updates. You can update the system drivers first and then update the graphic drivers to see if this resolves the error.
Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
Check if there are any available macOS updates and install them. This can help ensure you have the latest system drivers.
If you're using a graphics card, you can update it by visiting the website of your graphics card manufacturer, such as NVIDIA or AMD, and download the latest drivers for your Mac model. You can simply follow the instructions provided on the website to install the updated graphics drivers.
4. Close Background Apps
If your Mac doesn't have enough free space or memory, it may not be able to handle the video on full screen, resulting in video distortion. To fix the issue, try removing or closing any unnecessary apps or background processes that may interrupt smooth playback of the video.
You can also use the Activity Monitor app on your Mac device to identify and stop any apps or processes using too much CPU or memory. This must help you free up your device memory and help in a smooth, distortion-free video playback experience.
How to Fix a Corrupt Video on Mac?
If you've tried all the ways to fix video distortion on your Mac, but the issue persists, the video file may be corrupted. Corrupted video files can cause playback problems, including video distortion.
Some video repair tools can help you repair corrupted video files on your Mac. One such tool is Stellar Repair for Video, a powerful and comprehensive video repair software that can fix a wide range of video file formats.
Here's how you can use Stellar Repair for Video to fix a corrupted video on your Mac:
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Download and install Stellar Repair for Video on your Mac.
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Launch the Stellar Repair for Video app on your Mac.
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Click the "Add File" button to select the corrupted video file you want to repair.
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Click the "Repair" button to start the repair process. Stellar Repair for Video will automatically scan and fix the video file.
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Once the repair is complete, you can preview the video and save the repaired video file to a desired location.
By using Stellar Repair for Video, you can effectively fix corrupted video files on your Mac and get your videos playing smoothly again.
Conclusion
Video distortion can be problematic, but with the right solutions and steps, you can fix video distortion on a Mac. By switching to a different video player, adjusting display settings, updating graphics drivers, and closing or removing unnecessary heavy apps, you can resolve video distortion problems. However, if the problem persists and you find the video to be corrupt or damaged, you can use a video repair tool to fix any corruption issues and enjoy a smooth playback experience.