In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution on your Windows PC. There exists quite a few different types of resolutions that you could choose from for your display. While 1920 x 1080 is the most common one, gamers and video editors usually opt for a 2K [2048 x 1080] or 4K [3840 x 2160] display for best results. In this regard, the OS gives you a handy platform to tweak the resolution as per the need. This could be done by heading over to Settings > System > Display > Display > Resolution.
However, some users have voiced their concern that they are unable to tweak this setting as the required resolution is either absent from the list or is greyed out. This is in spite of the fact that their display does support the resolution that they are trying to apply. These cases are usually software issues and could easily be rectified via a few nifty workarounds. And in this guide, we will help you with just that. Given here are various methods to fix the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
Table of Contents
Fix Cannot Change Screen Resolution in Windows
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1 Update Graphics Driver
Using old or outdated graphics drivers is usually the root cause of display-related issues. So your first course of action should be to update these drivers to the latest version, using the instructions given below
- Press the Windows+X shortcut keys and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
- Then expand the Display Adapter section, right-click on your graphics card, and select Update Drivers.
- Then choose Search automatically for drivers.
- Windows will now search online for the available drivers and would subsequently download and install them.
- Once done, restart your PC and then check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 2 Use Windows Troubleshooters
Windows comes built-in with quite a few troubleshooter apps that scan for issues and bring out the related fixes. As for the current issue, we will be using the System Maintenance and the Hardware and Devices troubleshooters, as they are the best fit to resolve this bug.
- Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows R shortcut keys.
- Then type in the below command and hit Enter
msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic
- This will launch the System Maintenance troubleshooter, click Next to continue.
- It will now scan for underlying issues and bring up the related fix as well.
- Just select the fix to implement and then check if the issue has been fixed or not.
- If it is still there, then enable the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on your PC.
- Then launch it, click Next and let it scan for issues. Then apply the fixes that it brings up.
- Check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 3 Update Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime
Some applications and system software (especially the ones that use the Windows API, DirectX, and . NET) require redistributable Visual C++ runtime library packages to function correctly. So you should double-check that your PC has the latest version of this app installed. If you already have the latest version, then you might have to take the nuclear approach of reinstalling the app. Here’s how it could be done
- Download the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime.
- Then launch the setup file and proceed with the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
- Once done, verify if it rectifies the underlying issue. if it doesn’t, then head over to Control Panel.
- Then select Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and hit Uninstall > OK. Now, download and install its latest build.
- Check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 4: Boot to Safe Mode
In some instances, a third-party app might conflict with the OS functionality as well. The best way to verify and hence rectify this issue is to boot your PC to the Safe Mode. Doing so will disable all the third-party apps and give you the stock environment with just the system apps. If you are able to select multiple files in this mode, then the culprit is an app or software. Therefore, you should consider uninstalling the recently installed apps after which the issue first came to light. Here’s how:
- Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows+R shortcut keys.
- Then type in the below command and hit Enter to open the System Configuration menu
msconfig
- Now go to its Boot tab and checkmark Safe Mode under Boot Options.
- Finally, click OK followed by Restart in the confirmation dialog box.
- Your PC will now boot to Windows Recovery Environment.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Click Restart > Press 4 to boot to Safe Mode.
- Now check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 5: Disable Third-Party Service
A third-party service could also create a few roadblocks in selecting the desired resolution setting. Therefore, you should consider disabling all the non-Microsoft-related services and then test out the results. Here’s how it could be done
- Head over to the Start Menu, search System Configuration, and open it.
- Then go to the Services tab, checkmark Hide All Microsoft Services, and click on the Disable All button.
- Then go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
- Now select a process from the list and click Disable. Do so for all the running services.
- Once done, restart your PC, and then check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 6: Use SFC and DISM Commands
System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management are two command-line utility tools that scan for corrupt Windows files and then replace them with their working counterpart. The major difference between the two is whereas the SFC replaces the corrupt files with the working ones from the cached directory on your PC, DISM does so by downloading the working files from the online Microsoft servers. And as of now, we would be making use of both these tools to fix the underlying issue.
- Head over to the Start Menu, search Command Prompt, and launch it as an administrator.
- Then copy-paste the below command to open the SFC Tool:
sfc /scannow
- Once the SFC Scanning is complete, it’s time to use the DISM Tool. So copy-paste the below command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Once DISM finishes the scanning, it is recommended to reboot your PC.
- Now check if it fixes the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows.
FIX 7: Use a Restore Point
If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then you should consider restoring your system to an earlier point during which it was free from this issue. Here’s how it could be done
- To begin with, open the Settings page via the Windows+I shortcut keys.
- Then go to the System tab from the left menu bar, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on About.
- After that, click on the System Protection option present on the Related Links tab.
- This shall launch the System Properties dialog box. Go to the System Protection tab and click on System Restore.
- Windows will now bring up the backup under the Recommended Restore section. This is the backup that it finds most suitable according to your PC’s current condition.
- If you are satisfied with it, enable the Recommended Restore option and hit Next.
- However, if you wish to select any other custom backup, then select Chose a Different Restore point and click Next.
- Now select the desired custom restore point and hit Next.
- Windows will now bring up the finalized screen showing all your selections. You may click on the Scan for Affected program option and get a list of all the programs that would be uninstalled/re-installed after this restore.
- If everything is as per your requirement, hit the Finish button and wait for the restore to complete.
- Once done, your PC will automatically boot to that system restore point, with the underlying error being resolved.
So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the issue of being unable to change the screen resolution in Windows. We have listed seven different fixes for the same. Do let us know which one spelled out success for you. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments section below.
