Cannot Change Screen Resolution in Windows 10

Windows 10 is the successor to Windows 8, and it has a number of modifications that differentiate it from its previous build. In Windows 10, Microsoft has made numerous changes to the GUI, making it more advanced and eye-catching. A majority of users have updated their previous versions of Windows to Windows 10.

A number of users have reported an issue after updating their Windows to Windows 10, i.e., they cannot change the screen resolution in Windows 10. The screen gets stuck at the basic resolution, and the screen resolution setting is grayed-out, making it unable to be modified. This is, in fact, annoying, and people don’t want to waste their time and money. As a result, some of the users who have upgraded to Windows 10 are reverting back to their previous builds.

Possible reasons for this issue:

The reasons behind this issue are pretty straightforward.

The most common cause of this is incompatible or outdated Windows drivers. These drivers might be related to the Graphics Card.

Another reason for this issue might be the missing updates during the Windows update.

Method #1: Automatically Updating the Display Drivers.

The first solution to this issue is to update your display drivers automatically. On numerous occasions, this issue can be resolved by updating the display drivers from the computer manufacturer’s website. To do this, follow these steps.

Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu icon, or you can use the shortcut keys Win + X. Select the Device Manager from the list.

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After opening the Device Manager, find the Display Adapters option and expand it. You will see the adapters attached to your PC, which can be one or more. Simply click on the adapters and select ‘Update Driver Software.’ From there, click on ‘Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.’ This will initiate a search for the drivers, and you will be able to change the resolution afterward.

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Method #2: Installing Drivers in Compatibility Mode

If there are no updated drivers available on the manufacturer’s website, then use this method to install drivers in compatibility mode for Windows 8.

Manually download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

Right-click on the driver’s setup file and select ‘Properties‘ located at the bottom.

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From the new menu, go to the Compatibility tab and check the box labeled ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for.’ Select Windows 8 from the list and apply the settings. This will install the drivers. Restart your PC after installation, and your issue will be resolved.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.