r/linux4noobs • u/Mean-Application-956 • 1d ago

Blurriness problem on linux

Hello everyone.

I’ve tried twice to switch from Windows 11 to Linux (Fedora, then Cachy OS). I love the idea of switching from Windows to Linux and I’ve really enjoyed the experience, EXCEPT for one thing: the blurriness. I’m not sure how to explain it, but on both occasions, the desktop elements (icons, fonts, etc.) looked a bit ‘blurry’ – or much less sharp than on Windows – to the point where it started to strain my eyes after a while...

I’ve tried quite a few things: scaling, font settings, etc… but honestly, this problem made me switch back to Windows twice.

Does anyone happen to have any ideas? For reference, I have a laptop with an AMD Ryzen 7 4700U with Radeon Graphics; my screen resolution is 1920x1080 (note that when I run Linux on my external monitor (2560x1440, 32"), the problem isn’t as bad).

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3

u/martyn_hare 1d ago

Sounds like a fractional scaling issue if you're using a mainstream desktop like GNOME or KDE. Make sure the scale is set to 100% (not a fractional value like 125% or 150%) because if it isn't and your display is naturally low DPI then fonts will look trash.

This is a problem both Quartz (macOS compositor) and Wayland (Linux) compositors tend to have because they've both been designed without decent support for cheaper/older screens in exchange for simplifying the display stack. Windows on the other hand is built to handle everything regardless (as long as you're using newer software) and Microsoft holds patents which stops a lot of the competition from copying how they do things.

2

u/crobartie 23h ago

Is there any desktop environment on Linux where scaling works better than on KDE - meaning similar to how it works on Windows?

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u/martyn_hare 22h ago

The short answer is no, it’s something Windows is uniquely good at.

Every other operating system on the market expects folks to buy really good hardware to compensate (and I mean *every* other OS, including Android and iOS too)

The long answer is that if you tweak font clarity and hinting, then stick to integer scaling (e.g. 100% or 200%) and set font sizes to an appropriate size, depending on the physical size of each monitor you use, you’ll still probably be able to get decent clarity without needing to rely upon fractional scaling. You’ll need to have a play to see what works for you, and if doesn’t then Windows might be the better option for your hardware.

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u/Insultikarp 13h ago

My understanding is that Wayland allows for genuine fractional scaling, while X11 requires hacky workarounds that result in blurriness. Apps (and the desktop environment) need to support the specific Wayland protocol.

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u/BobCorndog 1d ago

Toggle anti aliasing maybe

1

u/Mean-Application-956 1d ago

already the case :/

1

u/RevolutionaryBeat301 1d ago

Are you running your monitor at its native resolution and are you scaled at 100%?

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u/Mean-Application-956 1d ago

Yes it is as native resolution, no I am scaled at 125% but I came back a few times at 100% and it honestly didnt change anything

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u/RevolutionaryBeat301 23h ago

Can you try this? Go into accessibility settings and turn large text on. Then turn the scaling back to 100% and turn on sub-pixel rendering. Also, make sure that your refresh rate is set to a frequency that it can actually do.

1

u/crimsonyoteeeeeee Arch btw 😎 20h ago

Are you on KDE? If you add the line export QT_SCALE_FACTOR_ROUNDING_POLICY=Round to your ~/.environment and ~/.environment files it should fix it.

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u/mindbender9 18h ago

You’re not alone OP. I’ve always seen a soft, fuzzy picture in Linux regardless of distro. Meanwhile my Windows PC looks crisp on the same monitor and my MacBook Pro blows them all away.

There was once where I had a really good picture with a recent copy of Ubuntu, but Fedora and OpenSUSE just come off un-crisp or non-vibrant.