3 Easy Ways To Make Your TV Screen Bigger (Updated 2023)

“What’s with all those black bars on the sides?”

It’s annoying, right?

The program you’re watching doesn’t fill the entire TV screen.

Fortunately, this is easily fixable.

With just a few remote clicks, you can make your screen bigger.

And I’m here to guide you if you’re not sure how.

Keep reading to find out:

3 easy ways to increase the size of your TV screen.
5 effective fixes to resolve your TV’s screen size error.
The most common reasons why your TV screen isn’t full.
And a lot more…

3 ways to make your TV screen bigger

Before we go to the different methods of increasing your screen size…

Let me explain why it’s not full in the first place.

It’s all about what’s called the aspect ratio.

In simple terms, it’s just the width-to-height proportion of an image.

So when you hear the 4:3 aspect ratio…

It means the picture’s just slightly wider compared to its length. But it’s almost like a square.

Now, older TV shows and movies used that ratio when filming.

Why?

It’s mainly because CRT TVs had a square screen.

However, TVs these days now have a rectangular shape. Hence, modern shows are now shot using the 16:9 aspect ratio.

And when you play an old movie with a 4:3 ratio on a rectangle TV…

You’ll see those black bars on the sides.

In other words, your TV’s not full screen because you’re watching something from decades ago.

And what’s great about modern TVs is that there are settings to fix it easily.

With that, let’s get started.

#1: Stretch the picture to fill the screen

The quickest solution to make your screen bigger is to stretch the picture.

There’s a setting on most, if not all, TV brands that allow you to do this.

On some TVs like Samsung, it’s called Fit to Screen.

Meanwhile, with other brands like Roku and Vizio…

It’s simply termed Stretch.

But regardless of the name, it accomplishes the same thing.

The entire picture will really cover your screen.

Now, let’s get to the steps on how to do it.

I’ll be providing the way for 5 of the most popular TV brands, namely:

LG.
Vizio.
Roku TV.
Samsung.
Android TV.

But even if your manufacturer’s not on the list, you should still be able to find a similar setting.

How to stretch the screen on an LG TV

Click the Settings button on your remote.
Go to the Quick Settings menu.
Scroll down and select Aspect Ratio.
Select Full.

How to stretch the screen on a Vizio TV

Press Menu on your remote control.
Navigate to Picture and then click it.
Select Picture Aspect.
Use the right arrow button to switch to Stretch.

How to stretch the screen on a Roku TV

Play a movie or a video from any channel.
On your Roku remote, click the Star button.
Highlight Advanced picture settings and click it.
Navigate to Picture Size and then click it.
Press the right arrow button to select Stretch.

How to stretch the screen on a Samsung TV

Click Home on your remote control.
Navigate to Settings and click it.
Select Picture.
Select Picture Size Settings.
Select Picture Size.
Toggle the selection to Fit to Screen.

How to stretch the screen on an Android TV

Click the Quick Settings button on the remote.
Select Display & Sound.
Scroll down and select Screen.
Press the remote’s arrow button to toggle to Full.

#2: Select the Zoom option in the Picture Settings

You may also choose to zoom in as an alternative to stretching the screen.

“What’s the difference between the 2?”

Well, stretching the picture affects the overall proportions of a video.

That’s why the characters of the show that you stretched would look like they gained weight.

With zooming, you can retain the proportions of the video. That’s because this option adjusts the height and width of a picture in equal percentages.

So if your TV expanded the image’s height by 15%…

The width will also increase by that exact figure.

The only drawback?

Depending on the original aspect ratio of a video, the edges might be cropped off after zooming.

This is unlike stretching, where you’re guaranteed to see the full picture.

In other words, there are pros and cons to stretching and zooming. So it’s up to you which one you eventually pick.

How to zoom a screen on an LG TV

Press the Settings button on the remote.
Select Picture.
Scroll down and click Aspect Ratio.
Click the remote’s arrow button to switch to Zoom.

How to zoom a screen on a Vizio TV

Click the Menu button on your Vizio remote.
Scroll down to Picture and then click it.
Select Picture Aspect.
Toggle the selection to Zoom.

How to zoom a screen on a Roku TV

Start playing a movie or show from any channel.
Launch the Options menu by clicking Star on your remote.
Click Advanced picture settings.
Click the Picture size option.
Switch the selection to Zoom.

How to zoom a screen on a Samsung TV

Click your Samsung remote’s Home button.
Click the gear icon to launch Settings.
Select Picture.
Click Picture Size Settings.
Select Custom.
Select Picture Size.
Switch to Zoom and Position.
Use the arrow buttons to zoom in.

How to zoom a screen on an Android TV

Press your remote’s Quick Settings button.
Click Display & Sound.
Navigate to Screen and then click it.
Use the arrow button to switch to Zoom.

#3: Use a projector

If you’d rather double or even triple the actual size of your TV’s display…

Then use a projector.

It’s a relatively affordable way of making your screen bigger.

In fact, you can buy a great-quality projector for under $100. Examples are:

Aside from being cheap, what’s great about projectors is the ease of setup.

All you have to do’s plug it into your TV via an HDMI cable. And you can increase the screen size just by adjusting its distance to where it’s projecting to.

“How big can a projector’s screen size get?”

On average, a projector’s display can expand to around 180 to 240 inches (180 to 610 cm).

To put that in perspective…

The biggest smart TVs measure around 85 to 100 inches (216 to 254 cm).

“Do I need to buy a white screen for my projector?”

Not really. A blank wall or a big enough white cloth should be fine.

Here’s a video showing what it would look like if you connect a TV to a projector:

Why is my TV not full screen?

Your TV’s not full screen due to an aspect ratio mismatch. Older TVs and movies use the 4:3 ratio. And if you play those on a TV that supports 16:9, you’ll see black bars on the sides. To fix this, go to your TV’s Picture Settings. And select an option to stretch the picture to fill the screen.

How do you adjust the screen size on TV?

You can adjust the screen size of your TV by going to its Picture Settings. Look for an option about aspect ratios. Most TVs have that. From there, you should be able to stretch or zoom your screen size to get a fuller display. And you can also select a bigger aspect ratio through that setting.

I’ve already provided a step-by-step guide on stretching or zooming your screen.

And really, those are the best ways to achieve a bigger screen without using an external device.

However, sometimes, even after adjusting the display size…

Your TV display may still not look right.

There might still be black bars on the sides.

But you need not worry. I’ll also teach you how to resolve your TV screen’s size problem.

#1: Check if it’s a channel issue

Before even trying out any troubleshooting steps…

You should verify first if it’s just a problem with the channel’s broadcaster.

TV stations do experience technical difficulties from time and time. And that might be why you aren’t getting the proper picture size.

So switch to another channel. You may also try to launch a streaming service and start a video.

If the screen issue went away…

Then it’s really just a problem with the channel.

And there’s really not much you can do on your end. You’ll just have to wait for the broadcaster’s technicians to resolve it.

In the meantime, you can always watch from other stations.

#2: Replace the HDMI cable that you’re using

You may also experience display issues when you’re using a streaming player.

And it’s normally due to a faulty HDMI.

That cable’s responsible for transmitting audio and video signal from your player to your TV.

And if it’s defective, you’ll have problems. And that includes a less-than-full display.

So check first if the HDMI cable’s properly connected. Ensure that it’s plugged in all the way through the port.

After that, try to reseat it. Unplug it from both the TV and the external device. Then plug it again.

You may even attempt to connect it to another port if your TV has multiple ones.

And if you’re still having display issues, the cable might already be damaged. So replace it with a working one instead.

#3: Power cycle your TV

Those black bars on your screen may also be due to a glitch in your TV’s software.

If you’ve owned a smart TV for a long time…

You’ve possibly experienced these malfunctions.

And a quick way to fix it’s by power cycling. It’s also called a soft reset or a restart.

Now, you don’t need to press anything on your remote.

Instead, you can power cycle by directly unplugging. Here’s how:

Step #1: While your TV’s still on, disconnect it from its power source.

Step #2: Look for your TV’s built-in power button. Then press and hold it for 15 seconds to release any remaining charge.

Step #3: Wait for around 1 or 2 minutes.

Step #4: Power your TV back on by reconnecting it to the outlet.

#4: Reset the picture settings

Tweaking your TV’s picture settings too much can also be problematic.

And it’s another possible reason why you’re not getting a full-screen display.

But rather than go through each menu option…

It’s best to just reset your TV’s picture settings.

Not all brands have this option, though. But I’ll list the ones that do.

How to reset the picture settings on an LG TV

Press Home on your remote.
Select Settings.
Select Picture.
Select Picture Reset.

How to reset the picture settings on a Vizio TV

Click your remote’s Menu button.
Select Picture.
Select More.
Select Reset Picture Mode.
Click Reset.

How to reset the picture settings on a Roku TV

Look for the Play/Pause button on your remote.
Press it 3 consecutive times.

How to reset the picture settings on a Samsung TV

Go to your TV’s home screen.
Click Settings.
Select Picture.
Select Expert Settings.
Click Reset Picture and select Yes to proceed.

How to reset the picture settings on an Android TV

Click Home on your remote.
Select Settings.
Select System Preferences.
Select Retail mode settings.
Click Picture reset mode.

#5: Get your TV display repaired

Sometimes, the screen issue’s not due to settings. But it’s an actual problem with your TV’s hardware.

For instance, among the signs of a defective main board include:

So if you’re still getting a less-than-full display after trying out all the fixes…

Then you should contact your TV manufacturer for repair.

Here are the links for the support page of some of the most popular TV brands: