reMarkable screen leaves shadow and how to fix it

Why Your reMarkable Screen Leaves Shadows (And What Actually Helps)

If you’ve been using your reMarkable for a while, you might have noticed something a bit strange.

Faint marks.
Old lines still slightly visible.
Shadows that don’t fully disappear.

It can feel like something is wrong with the screen.

But in most cases, this is completely normal.

1. It’s Not a Bug — It’s How E-Ink Works

The reMarkable uses an e-ink display, which is very different from a phone or tablet screen.

Instead of refreshing constantly, it updates only when needed.

Because of this, small traces of previous content can sometimes remain visible.

This effect is called ghosting.

2. Updates Can Make It More Noticeable

Some users notice ghosting more after software updates.

This doesn’t necessarily mean something is broken.

Sometimes updates change how the screen refresh behaves.

That’s why you’ll often see users online mentioning that it appeared “suddenly”.

3. Turning Pages Usually Clears It

In most cases, ghosting disappears when the screen fully refreshes.

Try:

• turning the page
• opening another notebook
• zooming in and out

This forces the screen to redraw properly.

4. A Restart Helps More Than You Think

If the screen feels “dirty” or shadows stay visible, a simple restart can help.

It clears temporary processes and forces a full refresh of the display.

It’s one of the easiest fixes — and often overlooked.

5. When You Should Actually Worry

In normal conditions, ghosting should be:

  • light

  • temporary

  • barely noticeable after refresh

If you start seeing:

  • very strong shadows

  • permanent marks

  • areas that don’t refresh at all

then it might be worth contacting support.

Final Thoughts

Ghosting is one of those things that feels strange at first, especially if you're used to traditional screens.

But for e-ink devices, it’s part of how the technology works.

In most cases, it’s minor and easy to manage once you know what’s causing it.

If you’re using your reMarkable daily for notes, planning, or documents, keeping your workflow simple and well-structured also helps the device perform at its best.

👉 https://planprotemplates.com/

Designed for reMarkable 1, reMarkable 2, Paper Pro and Pro Move.

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