Unfortunately, all monitors and flat-panel displays are different. There is no universal button system or set of instructions we could give you to configure your monitor using the buttons on the front. By far, the best method of determining what each of the buttons do would be to consult your monitor owner’s manual. If you have misplaced your monitor documentation, you can search the Internet for the model name or number of the monitor to obtain it.

For general reference, we created the following chart to help illustrate what many of the buttons and icons associated with them do. Below is general information on the likely monitor controls on your monitor. Using these controls, you can improve the quality and layout of the picture on your monitor for better viewing. Keep in mind that not all monitors have all of the following buttons. Furthermore, with many monitors, you need to press a button to access a menu before seeing any of the following options.

If a monitor has no more than two physical buttons on the front of it, is likely configured through software.

The names of the monitor icons can differ between brands and types of monitors. If you don’t see the exact same icon names, look for icons with names similar to those shown in the chart below.

If there are no buttons on the front of the monitor, check on the bottom and top edge. If no buttons are found, the monitor may utilize touch-sensitive buttons instead of push buttons. Touch-sensitive buttons are often found on the front, bottom edge.

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  • See the monitor definition for further information and related links.
  • Monitor, LCD, and display help and support.