Cursor and icons are too small to see

Help with the version of MX KDE officially released by the Development Team.
When asking for help, use Quick System Info from MX Tools. It will be properly formatted using the following steps.
1. Click on Quick System Info in MX Tools
2. Right click in your post and paste.
Message
Author
User avatar
taxpayer
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 4:13 pm

Cursor and icons are too small to see

#1 Post by taxpayer »

I have installed MX-23.6_KDE_x64 on an old Dell Latitude 7420 laptop. For some reason this hardware wants to display text, icons, and cursor very very tiny. (To install MX I had to use a magnifying glass to see the menus). I can adjust fonts in the applications, but cannot figure out how to get the icons in the panel, and especially the cursor, large enough to be easily seen. (Quickinfo is attached. )
Any suggestions how to fix this?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
RAM=8GB
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz
Brother HL5150D printer

User avatar
j2mcgreg
Global Moderator
Posts: 6974
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:04 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see

#2 Post by j2mcgreg »

In XFCE, the method is to go to Settings --> Appearance --> Fonts tab and adjust the DPI setting upwards to a comfortable level, The effect is immediate which makes it easy to adjust. You should look for a similar setting in KDE.
HP 15; ryzen 3 5300U APU; 500 Gb SSD; 8GB ram
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;

In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.

User avatar
CharlesV
Global Moderator
Posts: 7632
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:11 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see

#3 Post by CharlesV »

In KDE you can just type in Fonts on the menu and it will direct you to increase font size.

Also, Display at the main menu will lead you into the KDE display Configuration where you can increase the global scale if needed - as well as the resolution.
*QSI = Quick System Info from menu (Copy for Forum)
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!

User avatar
taxpayer
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 4:13 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see [SOLVED]

#4 Post by taxpayer »

"As well as the resolution." That is the key. Apparently when I got this used Windows computer the resolution had been set quite high. Thanks Charles V for taking the time to respond to my problem. Having now set the resolution lower I have a visible cursor and icons, and will next have to figure out how to deal with a display that goes far off the screen.
RAM=8GB
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz
Brother HL5150D printer

User avatar
CharlesV
Global Moderator
Posts: 7632
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:11 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see

#5 Post by CharlesV »

Glad you have a fix. Yes, there are three real pieces to sizing: resolution, scaling and then Font / Icon size. All have different capabilities and uses (imo ) ...

I typically start at Fonts & Icons since I want as much desktop as I can get :-() ( then tweak applications if I can )

Next is resolution, since scaling can show some undesired results. ( blurry, distortion, etc)

And sometimes.. it takes a combination to get where you like.
*QSI = Quick System Info from menu (Copy for Forum)
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!

User avatar
OlderProgrammer
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 3:55 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see

#6 Post by OlderProgrammer »

CharlesV wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:45 pm In KDE you can just type in Fonts on the menu and it will direct you to increase font size.

Also, Display at the main menu will lead you into the KDE display Configuration where you can increase the global scale if needed - as well as the resolution.
Thank you, CharlesV!

User avatar
CharlesV
Global Moderator
Posts: 7632
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:11 pm

Re: Cursor and icons are too small to see

#7 Post by CharlesV »

OlderProgrammer wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:08 pm
CharlesV wrote: Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:45 pm In KDE you can just type in Fonts on the menu and it will direct you to increase font size.

Also, Display at the main menu will lead you into the KDE display Configuration where you can increase the global scale if needed - as well as the resolution.
Thank you, CharlesV!
Welcome in!
And your very welcome! :-)
*QSI = Quick System Info from menu (Copy for Forum)
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!

Post Reply

Return to “MX KDE Official Release”