How to Fix NVIDIA Resolution Problems in Windows 10

by Josh Kirschner on September 24, 2015
in Tech 101, Computers and Software, Computer Monitors, Tips & How-Tos :: 64 comments

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After upgrading my PC to Windows 10, I found that I could no longer set my Vizio VMM26 monitor to display the correct resolution. Instead of my monitor's native resolution of 1920x1200 (16:10 aspect ratio), the only option Windows Control Panel would allow was 1920x1080 or 1280x720 (16:9 aspect ratio), stretching every circle into an oval and generally looking like crap.

Where was my previous 1920x1200 setting? Why was I suddenly experiencing this problem? Hours searching online indicated many others were having the same issues, but no one had a solution.

It turns out the culprit was not Windows 10, but the updated Windows 10 compatible NVIDIA software that downloaded alongside it. When I reverted back to the old NVIDIA software and driver, things worked again. All was good until I inadvertently updated the NVIDIA software again during a Windows update, causing my monitor resolution to return to stretch mode.

Determined to find a better answer this time, I delved into the NVIDIA Control Panel (Version 8.1.X) to see if it would provide more options than I could access through WIndows settings. And in the Control Panel, I found the solution.

Within the NVIDIA Control Panel, under Display - > Change Resolution, there is a simple checkbox that says "Show only TV Resolutions". Checked by default, it severely limits your resolution options, both in the NVIDIA Control Panel and in the Windows Control Panel System Settings. Once unchecked, the full range of "PC" resolution options becomes available, including many of the common ones, such as 1366x768.

NVIDIA control panel resolution setting

So why did NVIDIA do this? My guess is that they thought they were making life easier for users by only providing the 16:9 ratio options found in the newest monitors and laptops. Unfortunately, for those of us with less common or older displays, that decision results in a corrupted display and no obvious means to resolve it. This is a case where defaulting to more user choice would have been the better approach.

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Discussion

plz solve my problem

From g v subrahmanyam on March 01, 2018 :: 7:07 am

hi
I purchased hp z400 workstation with NVidia qudro p600 graphic card I need resolution is 1600x1200 but monitor is input signal out of range
plz anyone help me monitor is hp n223v

Too high a resolution for that monitor

From Josh Kirschner on March 01, 2018 :: 9:49 am

The HP N223v is not capable of displaying 1200 vertical resolution. The highest it can go is 1080. See here for the full set of available resolutions for that monitor: https://support.hp.com/vn-en/document/c05524570

Large Font on Screen

From Chandra on March 22, 2018 :: 12:43 am

Hello Friend, Need your help to solve my Laptops screen resolution.

Recently I have updated to Windows 10 OS.

I can see the recommended resolution in NVIDIA is 1280 X 800, I cannot change more than this resolution. When I check the Display adapter is NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS. when I update/uninstall and i am getting same drivers. and my screen resolution not able to change from the above values and not fit in screen.

What is your laptop's native resolution?

From Josh Kirschner on March 22, 2018 :: 10:12 am

Can you provide your laptop model and its native resolution?

Also, try completely uninstalling the NVIDIA drivers and software, downloading again and manually reinstalling the display driver from within your system hardware settings.

Update to Josh

From Chandra on June 14, 2019 :: 6:34 am

Thanks Josh for your reply.,
I am having Dell XPS M1330 & Native Resolution 1280 X 800, My OS is having 64bit compatibility, but Windows 10 32bit upgraded.

Also many times i uninstalled totally and windows automatically installed the NVIDIA GetForce 8400M GS.

Low resolution after new Nvidea graphics card

From Philip on December 28, 2018 :: 3:59 pm

I recently installed a new Evga 1050ti superclocked graphics card and now my resolution is locked in at 1024 x 768.
I’m running windows 8.1
In the windows resolution settings the resolution is greyed out and you can’t change it and my monitor is showing up as a generic non pnp.
I have a Lenovo 23 inch monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution.
In the Nvidea panel it shows my connection as DVI to pc but I have it connected from display port to hdmi on my pc.
It also shows 1024 x 768 as my native resolution and it should be 1920 x 1080.
No other resolution options are available.
I am able to to a custom resolution by checking CVT reduced blank in the timing section and this will work but the graphics are slightly smaller than 1080 but they are clear and easy to see.
I am able to game with full graphics using this method but when I log off and restart everything has reverted back to the 768 resolution.
It doesn’t save it even after applying so I have to do it all over again.
If I don’t use the CVT method the the custom resolutions are not even doable.
I have done the DDU and a clean installation with the latest drivers and I still get the same 768 resolution.
I have tried different cables hdmi to hdmi and display port to hdmi.
Thinking of doing another DDU and clean install but deleting all the Nvidea files before the DDU.
I would prefer for Nvidea to recognize my native resolution instead of having to do a custom resolution every time I log on.
I feel like there might be a setting in the Nvidea panel that is reverting to default when installed and I don’t know what it is or maybe there is some old files that are not getting deleted and are causing conflict.
I’ve tried everything I know and ask everybody I know.
If you need any more info or spec please let me know.
Thanks

Fixed

From Ruchira Lakmal Alwis on June 10, 2019 :: 10:44 pm

I have samsung 23” monitor with only DVI-I port. And I have gtx760 card. I also face the same situation. When onbord driver install monitor shows proper display, scale, smooth txt etc. After nvidia driver installed situation goes crazy like display streached, txt blury. Thing what i done is after nvidia driver install i just unplug the dvi port form the monitor and plug it back. HMMmmm it works. 🤗 Ithink this will be 1 solution.

Perhaps time for a new monitor?

From Josh Kirschner on June 12, 2019 :: 10:46 am

Wow, a DVI port? That must be one old monitor. The first thing I would consider for fixing any issues is to just buy a new monitor! New monitors provide far, far better picture and you can pick one up for super cheap.

🤗🤗🤗

From Ruchira on June 12, 2019 :: 12:17 pm

🤗🤗🤗

you saved us a lot

From Suraj Kumar on July 01, 2019 :: 10:01 pm

you saved us a lot of time..thank you

Same problem but doesn’t work

From bugioal on November 13, 2019 :: 12:48 pm

Hi everyone,
I have the same problem on one of my desktop PC.
With windows 10 that mount Nvidia GT 8300 GS and an LG 21:9 monitor. I tried to configure a custom resolution in Nvidia control panel using 2560x1080 and CVT or CVT reduced blank. The test work fine, but when I shut down or restart the Pc, the monitor show “no signal” warning. In detail, when I start the PC it shows correctly Motherboard spash screen (or BIOS), and Windows 10 boot logo. Also windows starts but i can’t see on the monitor.

I’m using a HDMI-DVI D cable.

Anyone can help me?
Thanks a lot.

Thank you!!!

From Driti on May 05, 2021 :: 3:10 pm

Your tick saved me hundreds of $ in new graphic card.
Again thanks a lot!!!

mine doesn't work

From Paolo on February 27, 2022 :: 3:55 pm

Hello, my pc is connected to an AV amplifier that is connected to a projector.
Some weeks ago I could run everything to 4K@60Hz but now it doesn’t work.
It shows: active resolution: 1920x1080.
I tried to use your fixes but automatic still sets to 1080p and CVT or others doesn’t work.
Any help?

Revert drivers?

From Josh Kirschner on March 02, 2022 :: 7:42 pm

Not a lot of detail to go on here, but if this is a change that suddenly occurred, I would suspect that it could be related to a driver update. Can you check to see when your Nvidia drivers were updated and try a rollback, if appropriate?

How to Fix NVIDIA Resolution Problems in Windows 10