Are you frustrated with the “Display Control Panel is unable to change the display settings” error message? You’re not alone. Many Windows users have encountered this issue, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including outdated graphics drivers, corrupted system files, or incorrect display settings. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to help you fix the display control panel and change your display settings with ease.
Understanding The Display Control Panel
The Display Control Panel is a utility in Windows that allows you to adjust your display settings, including the resolution, refresh rate, and color depth. It’s a crucial tool for customizing your display to your liking, but it can be frustrating when it stops working.
Possible Causes Of The Error
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a look at some possible causes of the “Display Control Panel is unable to change the display settings” error:
- Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
- Corrupted system files
- Incorrect display settings
- Conflicting display adapters
- Malware or viruses
Troubleshooting Steps
To fix the display control panel, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Step 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause the display control panel to malfunction. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager
- In the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section
- Right-click on your graphics driver and select “Update Driver”
- Follow the prompts to search for and install updated drivers
Step 2: Run The System File Checker
Corrupted system files can also cause the display control panel to stop working. To run the System File Checker, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin)
- In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
- The System File Checker will scan your system files and replace any corrupted files
Step 3: Disable And Re-enable Your Graphics Driver
Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling your graphics driver can resolve the issue. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager
- In the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section
- Right-click on your graphics driver and select “Disable Device”
- Wait for 10 seconds and then enable the device again
Step 4: Check For Conflicting Display Adapters
If you have multiple display adapters installed, it may cause conflicts and prevent the display control panel from working. To check for conflicting display adapters, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager
- In the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section
- Look for any duplicate or conflicting display adapters
- Right-click on the conflicting adapter and select “Uninstall Device”
Step 5: Run A Virus Scan
Malware or viruses can also cause the display control panel to malfunction. To run a virus scan, follow these steps:
- Open your antivirus software and select the “Scan” option
- Run a full scan of your system to detect and remove any malware or viruses
Advanced Solutions
If the troubleshooting steps above don’t resolve the issue, you may need to try some advanced solutions.
Method 1: Use The Registry Editor
You can use the Registry Editor to reset the display settings to their default values. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R and type regedit in the Run dialog box
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
- Look for the “ScreenSaveActive” value and set it to 0
- Look for the “ScreenSaveIsSecure” value and set it to 0
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your system
Method 2: Use The Group Policy Editor
You can use the Group Policy Editor to reset the display settings to their default values. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R and type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box
- In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following key: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Control Panel\Display
- Look for the “Display Settings” policy and set it to “Not Configured”
- Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your system
Conclusion
The “Display Control Panel is unable to change the display settings” error can be frustrating, but it’s not impossible to fix. By following the troubleshooting steps and advanced solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and customize your display settings to your liking. Remember to always keep your graphics drivers up to date and run regular virus scans to prevent similar issues in the future.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Update Graphics Drivers | Update your graphics drivers to the latest version |
| Run System File Checker | Run the System File Checker to scan and replace corrupted system files |
| Disable and Re-enable Graphics Driver | Disable and re-enable your graphics driver to reset it |
| Check for Conflicting Display Adapters | Check for conflicting display adapters and uninstall any duplicates |
| Run Virus Scan | Run a virus scan to detect and remove any malware or viruses |
By following these methods, you should be able to fix the display control panel and change your display settings with ease.
What Are The Common Causes Of The Display Control Panel Not Working?
The Display Control Panel may not work due to various reasons, including outdated or corrupted graphics drivers, incorrect display settings, or conflicts with other system files. Additionally, malware or virus infections can also cause issues with the Display Control Panel. It is essential to identify the root cause of the problem to apply the correct fix.
In some cases, the issue might be related to a specific software or application that is interfering with the Display Control Panel. It is recommended to check for any recently installed software or updates that might be causing the problem. By understanding the possible causes, you can take the necessary steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
How Do I Update My Graphics Drivers To Fix The Display Control Panel Issue?
To update your graphics drivers, you can use the Device Manager in Windows. Open the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section, and right-click on the graphics driver. Select “Update driver” and follow the prompts to search for and install the latest driver updates. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows Update feature to check for and install any available driver updates. Go to Settings, click on “Update & Security,” and then select “Windows Update.” Click on “Check for updates” and follow the prompts to install any available updates. Updating your graphics drivers can often resolve issues with the Display Control Panel.
What Are The Steps To Reset The Display Control Panel To Its Default Settings?
To reset the Display Control Panel to its default settings, you can use the Windows Settings app. Go to Settings, click on “System,” and then select “Display.” Click on the “Display adapter properties” link and then click on the “Monitor” tab. Click on the “Reset” button to restore the default display settings.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows Registry Editor to reset the Display Control Panel settings. Open the Registry Editor, navigate to the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Display” key, and delete any entries that are not set to their default values. Be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability.
How Do I Disable And Re-enable The Graphics Driver To Fix The Display Control Panel Issue?
To disable and re-enable the graphics driver, open the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section, and right-click on the graphics driver. Select “Disable device” and confirm that you want to disable the driver. Wait for a few seconds and then enable the driver again by right-clicking on it and selecting “Enable device.”
Disabling and re-enabling the graphics driver can often resolve issues with the Display Control Panel. This process can help to reset the driver and resolve any conflicts that may be causing the problem. If the issue persists, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps.
What Are The Steps To Run A System File Checker (SFC) Scan To Fix The Display Control Panel Issue?
To run a System File Checker (SFC) scan, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type the command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to start the scan. The SFC scan will check for any corrupted system files and replace them with healthy copies.
The SFC scan can take several minutes to complete, depending on the speed of your system. Once the scan is finished, restart your system to apply any changes. Running an SFC scan can help to resolve issues with the Display Control Panel by replacing any corrupted system files that may be causing the problem.
How Do I Perform A System Restore To Fix The Display Control Panel Issue?
To perform a System Restore, go to the Control Panel, click on “System and Security,” and then select “System.” Click on the “System protection” link and then click on the “System Restore” button. Select a restore point from a date when the Display Control Panel was working correctly and follow the prompts to complete the restore process.
Performing a System Restore can help to resolve issues with the Display Control Panel by reverting your system to a previous state when the Display Control Panel was working correctly. Be cautious when using System Restore, as it can also remove any recently installed software or updates.
What Are The Steps To Reinstall The Graphics Driver To Fix The Display Control Panel Issue?
To reinstall the graphics driver, open the Device Manager, expand the “Display Adapters” section, and right-click on the graphics driver. Select “Uninstall device” and confirm that you want to uninstall the driver. Restart your system and then go to the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest graphics driver.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows Settings app to reinstall the graphics driver. Go to Settings, click on “System,” and then select “Display.” Click on the “Display adapter properties” link and then click on the “Driver” tab. Click on the “Uninstall” button to uninstall the driver and then restart your system to reinstall the driver. Reinstalling the graphics driver can often resolve issues with the Display Control Panel.