Calibre update causes the Viewer to look low-res - Page 6

Sirtel · 05-20-2026, 03:30 AM

Yes, it's still going on on Windows 11. GPU usage enabled or disabled doesn't make any difference. So I still use the 3.48 viewer.

My computer has a Nvidia driver as well.

BetterRed · 05-20-2026, 05:18 AM

@Sirtel - I have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB. It came installed on the Dell XPS 8920 I bought in 2017. I have NOT upgraded the driver. Based on independent advice from HP and AMD engineers I stopped updating drivers, especially graphics drivers, 20+ years ago.

According to them almost all updates to device drivers are necessitated by changes to the hardware… e.g. new models, different components etc. I've solved other peoples problems by getting them to revert to the drivers that came with the device.

BR

Sirtel · 05-20-2026, 05:52 AM

Frankly, I cannot remember if I have updated the driver or not. I've had this computer for nearly 6 years. Maybe I have updated the driver at some point, I don't remember. How would I verify that?

Comfy.n · 05-20-2026, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@Sirtel - I have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB. It came installed on the Dell XPS 8920 I bought in 2017. I have NOT upgraded the driver. Based on independent advice from HP and AMD engineers I stopped updating drivers, especially graphics drivers, 20+ years ago.

According to them almost all updates to device drivers are necessitated by changes to the hardware… e.g. new models, different components etc. I've solved other peoples problems by getting them to revert to the drivers that came with the device.

BR

Very interesting info. I don't like updating graphics drivers, but now and then I have an issue with dwm.exe RAM usage leak that seems to go away after updating them.

JSWolf · 05-20-2026, 01:13 PM

I have never has had a problem with the Viewer being fuzzy using the GPU. I'm now not using the GPU and it's still not fuzzy.

Could it be the incorrect DPI is set?

Sirtel · 05-20-2026, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have never has had a problem with the Viewer being fuzzy using the GPU. I'm now not using the GPU and it's still not fuzzy.

Could it be the incorrect DPI is set?

It was no different with DPI scaling overridden.

BetterRed · 05-20-2026, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Frankly, I cannot remember if I have updated the driver or not. I've had this computer for nearly 6 years. Maybe I have updated the driver at some point, I don't remember. How would I verify that?

Look in Settings->Windows Update->Update History->Driver Updates.

BR

Sirtel · 05-20-2026, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Look in Settings->Windows Update->Update History->Driver Updates.

BR

Yes, there are several driver updates, both Intel and Nvidia. I have no idea what the original version was.

BetterRed · 05-20-2026, 10:02 PM

Look for them at NVIDIA, I believe they still have a shingle hanging in Santa Clara

.

Sirtel · 05-21-2026, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Look for them at NVIDIA, I believe they still have a shingle hanging in Santa Clara

.

Well, I can't look for them if I don't know the number of the original version, can I? Windows Update History only shows updates done during the last year, after upgrading to Windows 11. There's nothing in the history from earlier years, when I used Windows 10. Therefore I don't know what the original driver version was.

BetterRed · 05-21-2026, 06:53 AM

You have the adapter, which will have a serial number label from which you should be able to backtrace to older drivers.

Did you post that you had an integrated Intel video chip on your MOBO, if so what happens of you attach your monitor to it?

Sirtel · 05-21-2026, 09:12 AM

The adapter is not the original. The cable of the original broke, so I bought a new adapter last year.

Haven't tried with a monitor, although I have one. I guess I should try it, when I get the time.

JSWolf · 05-21-2026, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The adapter is not the original. The cable of the original broke, so I bought a new adapter last year.

Haven't tried with a monitor, although I have one. I guess I should try it, when I get the time.

What you could try is baking up the driver version to the previous and see how that works. Then all you need do is keep searching for oldder versions until you find one that works.

Sirtel · 05-21-2026, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What you could try is baking up the driver version to the previous and see how that works. Then all you need do is keep searching for oldder versions until you find one that works.

Yeah, I could. That's a bit too much work, however. It's not like I use the viewer for much else than quickly checking something, and 3.48 does that just as well.

Now if I used the viewer extensively for reading and/or annotating, it would be a different matter and worth some effort in troubleshooting. But I seldom read something with the viewer.

05-20-2026, 01:13 PM	#80
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,531 Karma: 153646249 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have never has had a problem with the Viewer being fuzzy using the GPU. I'm now not using the GPU and it's still not fuzzy. Could it be the incorrect DPI is set? Last edited by JSWolf; 05-20-2026 at 01:16 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Low frames in Calibre	dysprove	Calibre	0	07-22-2021 02:52 AM
Calibre 4 viewer... Unhappy with update :(	chantw0968	Calibre	3	10-06-2019 08:22 PM
Kobo Aura One screensaver cover low-res?	mgrimace	Kobo Reader	13	09-04-2017 08:50 PM
Calibre says kindle res is 525x640, but that's wrong...	caibbor	Conversion	1	12-05-2013 10:27 PM
low update activity	apella	enTourage Archive	6	10-24-2010 12:00 AM

05-20-2026, 03:30 AM	#76
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,167 Karma: 247594217 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Yes, it's still going on on Windows 11. GPU usage enabled or disabled doesn't make any difference. So I still use the 3.48 viewer. My computer has a Nvidia driver as well.

05-20-2026, 05:18 AM	#77
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,684 Karma: 33011292 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@Sirtel - I have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB. It came installed on the Dell XPS 8920 I bought in 2017. I have NOT upgraded the driver. Based on independent advice from HP and AMD engineers I stopped updating drivers, especially graphics drivers, 20+ years ago. According to them almost all updates to device drivers are necessitated by changes to the hardware… e.g. new models, different components etc. I've solved other peoples problems by getting them to revert to the drivers that came with the device. BR

05-20-2026, 05:52 AM	#78
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,167 Karma: 247594217 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Frankly, I cannot remember if I have updated the driver or not. I've had this computer for nearly 6 years. Maybe I have updated the driver at some point, I don't remember. How would I verify that?

05-20-2026, 10:02 PM	#84
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,684 Karma: 33011292 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Look for them at NVIDIA, I believe they still have a shingle hanging in Santa Clara .

05-21-2026, 06:53 AM	#86
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,684 Karma: 33011292 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	You have the adapter, which will have a serial number label from which you should be able to backtrace to older drivers. Did you post that you had an integrated Intel video chip on your MOBO, if so what happens of you attach your monitor to it?

05-21-2026, 09:12 AM	#87
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,167 Karma: 247594217 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	The adapter is not the original. The cable of the original broke, so I bought a new adapter last year. Haven't tried with a monitor, although I have one. I guess I should try it, when I get the time.