Cannot change the rsolution on my 2nd monitor...

Joseph Demis 16

The driver is up to date, and both monitors have been properly identified. I can change the resolution on monitor two, and it's set to the recommended resolution of 1680x1050. However, when I choose monitor one, and scroll down to change the display resolution, it's greyed-out and stuck at 800x600. I made display number two my main display, then extended the displays. This did not work. When I duplicate the displays, it applies the 800x600 screen resolution from monitor number one across both monitors, instead of duplicating the resolution of monitor number two across both monitors. I also tried to make monitor number one my main display, then go back and duplicate the displays that way, which also did not work. I know this should be an easy fix, but I need help. Can you help me, please?

Anthony Brown6 6 Reputation points

2022-07-29T20:53:19.38+00:00

I found my 1st monitor was set to a higher refresh rate, I changed it to 60Hz in the advanced settings then was able to select 1080p on my second monitor.
Anthony Brown6 6 Reputation points

2022-07-29T20:53:31.893+00:00

I found my 1st monitor was set to a higher refresh rate, I changed it to 60Hz in the advanced settings then was able to select 1080p on my second monitor.
Irma Jimemez 5 Reputation points

2023-04-21T19:35:22.06+00:00

Hello, I tired your suggestions and below is a snip of the only option for my 2nd screen, any suggestions?
Benjamin Borelli 5 Reputation points

2023-09-02T16:42:24.04+00:00

I tried changing the screen resolution for screen 2 but its not giving all the modes you show I get only this

11 answers

Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,766 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-02-18T05:25:10.367+00:00
Hi,

Please check if you can change the resolution by below steps.

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings

Choose monitor 2 > Display adapter properties for Display 2

List All Modes > check if you can select the resolution and display mode.

If it does not work for you, please kindly share screenshots of your display settings.

Thanks,
Eleven

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12 people found this answer helpful.
Joseph Demis 16 Reputation points

2021-02-18T20:10:57.317+00:00

Eleven, thank you for getting back to me. I followed the instructions and got to the "List All Modes" setting, and 1680x1050 was indeed available, so I chose it from the list and applied it. The monitor re-set itself, and the" Display Resolution" drop down actually showed it had changed from 800x600 to 1680x1050. However, the screen was still on 800x600 when it came back on. It was up for about ten seconds, then the monitor shut down for a 2nd time. I went back to check the "List of Valid Modes", and noticed they were all now missing, except 640x480 and 800x600. I tried to switch it back to 800x600 to at least get the monitor back on, but now the "apply" button on the "adapter tab" is greyed out, and I cannot apply any of the remaining valid modes from the valid modes list. The monitor will not come back on now. Also, I just can't figure out how to upload the screenshots I took to add to this. So if you could show me how to do that, I'll upload them immediately. Thanks!

Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,766 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-02-19T01:32:15.357+00:00

Hi,

Do you see this picture icon as below? Click it and then you could upload your screenshots.
Or you can just user Ctrl+C to copy your image and then Ctrl+V to paste the image, Wait for several seconds and click "Accpet" on the pop-up window.

Joseph Demis 16 Reputation points

2021-02-22T18:08:56.297+00:00

I cannot upload the screen shots, it just ends up putting text in here instead of attaching the picture. Like this:

Joseph Demis 16 Reputation points

2021-02-22T18:10:39.68+00:00

OK well that worked so stand by lol

Joseph Demis 16 Reputation points

2021-02-22T18:13:42.347+00:00

The list of resolutions available in the "List All Modes" is now back as well. I tried to change it again, but it will not take on the 2nd monitor.

Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,766 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-02-24T01:52:47.18+00:00

Hi,

Have you tried to unplug and replug the monitor, and reset it?

Please refer to below for reset the DELL monitor:
https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/How-to-reset-the-monitor/td-p/2394554

Joseph Demis 16 Reputation points

2021-02-24T15:34:17.48+00:00

I tried both methods of resetting the monitor, but neither one worked. The only time the monitor will come on is when I change the resolution back to 800x600. Choosing any other resolution will send the monitor back into power saving mode and turn it off.

Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,766 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2021-02-25T02:08:49.193+00:00

Hi,

Please also try to contact the provider of your problematic monitor to see if they can give more solutions.

Jalaj Yadav 1 Reputation point

2022-09-24T07:48:13.647+00:00

Thank You Very Very Much .
Worked Fine and all.

Juston Gill 0 Reputation points

2023-02-06T13:44:01.36+00:00

I need help with the display resolution on one of my three computer monitors. It doesn't allow me to change the display resolution. It's stuck on 640 x 480 and I need it to be 1920 x 1080. I followed the steps of your previous comments and still was unable to change the display resolution. See screenshots below:

Please help

Sander Tastenoe 0 Reputation points

2023-03-18T20:25:36.1333333+00:00

Hello there! This quick and easy trick helped me a lot! Thank you sir!

Benjamin Borelli 5 Reputation points

2023-09-02T16:43:13.05+00:00

I get only this

Burlakoti,Dhruba 0 Reputation points

2024-02-07T20:09:42.3433333+00:00

I tried that, but doesn't work.
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Tony Hamilton J 15 Reputation points

2023-09-12T17:09:43.8066667+00:00

Had same problem, the fix was the properties for lid closing was not set to do anything, this locked resolution to 800x600 greyed out, set settings for what to do when closing lid, the resolution become unlocked and was able to adjust display settings.
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3 people found this answer helpful.
Andie Sismour 0 Reputation points

2024-10-30T18:10:58.6733333+00:00

THANK YOU - i searched forum after forum and this was the only thing that worked. Right when i changed this setting, unplugged the monitor and plugged back in, it was all reset
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HB 10 Reputation points

2023-05-31T14:46:11.6266667+00:00

Hello. I am having the exact same issue. I did all the steps mentioned in previous comments and did not work.

I only get one mode display (please see photo).
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2 people found this answer helpful.
Lee Gamble 0 Reputation points

2023-07-25T17:56:26.0433333+00:00

did you manage to solve this? i am having the same problem

Susan H 0 Reputation points

2024-03-22T04:38:45.4166667+00:00

Thank you!
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bob Hasted 5 Reputation points

2023-06-07T12:05:35.3833333+00:00

I am running 2 Novatech VGA screens connected via their individual HDMI - VGA adaptors to Dell laptop. I had the same problem after disconnecting my laptop and then reconnecting a couple of days later. I managed to resolve the issue by unplugging both screens and reconnecting them one at a time. The 'active screen resolution' for both screens then read the same as the 'recommended screen resolution' .

Hope this works for you as I'm no IT expert., But they say switch it off ,unplug, plug back in, turn it back on, whats the worst that could happen?

You might find that monitor 2 is now 3 and vise versa but you can adjust that in the settings.
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1 person found this answer helpful.
Idris Akhmadov 0 Reputation points

2023-11-29T20:58:53.99+00:00

Unplugging/Plugging the laptop from the dock station and Unplugging/Plugging the cable helped me. Thanks.
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Hicham 1 Reputation point

2022-10-03T08:20:37.67+00:00

Hi,

This is long overdue but I think it would be useful for anyone else facing the same issue.

Uninstall the Desplay Adapter in question then re-install it, it should resolve the problem.

H
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Dee 0 Reputation points

2024-05-04T00:28:29.2666667+00:00

I learned that the adapter I'm using only operates at 800×600 resolution when connected to a USB 2 port. You need a USB 3 port to allow the adapter to operate over that resolution. However my dinosaur computer does not have a USB 3 port.
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Cannot change the rsolution on my 2nd monitor...

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