I’ve been diving into some pretty interesting stuff on my Ubuntu machine, and I’ve hit a little snag that I could really use some help with. So here’s the deal: I want to modify the screen resolution using the command line, but I’m not sure what the exact steps are.
I mean, I’ve gotten so used to just clicking through menus and settings that this whole command line thing is still pretty new to me. I know the terminal can be super powerful, but I’m kind of nervous about jumping in and doing something that could mess up my display. The last time I tried tweaking something in the terminal, I ended up with a mess of code I didn’t understand!
So, if you’ve got the know-how, could you break down the process for me? Like, what commands should I be using, and are there any specific considerations I should keep in mind? I’ve heard something about `xrandr` being involved—does that ring a bell? I’ve tried playing around with it a bit, but it feels overwhelming when you don’t quite know what you’re doing.
And, honestly, is there a way to revert back to the original resolution if I really screw it up? I’d love to avoid a situation where my screen goes all crazy, and I can’t figure out how to get it back to normal. Also, do I need to check anything beforehand, like ensure my graphics drivers are up to date or something?
It’d be super helpful if you could give me step-by-step instructions. Maybe your own little mini-guide on the process? I’m sure there are others who might be in the same boat as me, so it’d be great to have a solid resource to refer to. I’m just looking for a friendly nudge in the right direction to get this sorted out! Thanks a million in advance for your help!
How to Change Screen Resolution on Ubuntu Using the Command Line
So, you want to tweak your screen resolution using the terminal—awesome! It can be a little daunting at first, but I’ll walk you through it. Here’s how you can use `xrandr`, which is indeed what you heard about. It’s pretty powerful, so let’s dive right in!
Step 1: Open Your Terminal
You can usually do this by pressing
Ctrl + Alt + T
on your keyboard, or search for “Terminal” in your applications.Step 2: Check Current Settings with xrandr
Type the following command:
This will give you a list of all available resolutions and the current one that’s in use. Look for the line that mentions
*
, which indicates the resolution currently set.Step 3: List Available Resolutions
In that output, you should see all the supported resolutions for your monitor. It will look something like this:
Note down the resolution you want to switch to.
Step 4: Changing the Resolution
Now, to change your resolution, you’ll use the following command:
Replace
[Resolution]
with the one you want. For example:Step 5: Reverting Back if Needed
If something goes wrong, don’t panic! You can always revert back to your original resolution by running the same command with your original resolution.
Tip: Before making any changes, note your current resolution so you can easily go back.
Step 6: Check Graphics Drivers
It’s a good idea to make sure your graphics drivers are up to date before messing with things. You can update your system by running:
Final Tips
Take it slow, and if you’re unsure about a resolution, just stick to the available ones listed from the
xrandr
command. You got this!Good luck, and have fun exploring!
To modify your screen resolution on an Ubuntu machine using the command line, you’ll primarily utilize the `xrandr` tool. Start by opening your terminal. You can list the current screen resolutions and available displays by running the command:
xrandr
. This will display connected monitors (like eDP-1 or HDMI-1) along with supported resolutions. To change the resolution, use the command:xrandr --output [display] --mode [resolution]
, replacing[display]
with the name of your connected display and[resolution]
with your desired resolution (e.g., 1920×1080). Keep in mind the format must match the available options shown in the previous command.In case you run into issues and need to revert back to your original resolution, you can simply run the
xrandr
command again and apply the previous settings with the same format. Before making these changes, ensure your graphics drivers are up to date for compatibility; you can update them using the command:sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
. Following these instructions should provide a stable way to modify your resolution while allowing you to revert back if something does not work as planned. This approach not only gives you control but also reinforces your command-line skills in a safe manner.