After Win 10 re-install Extend Monitors Broke

Rayj002024

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Joined
Feb 29, 2024
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So yesterday I experienced a whole house power glitch. My PC power cycled and then I got BSOD.
The error was "Inaccessible Boot Device". After attempting all of the recovery suggestions I could
google, unsuccessfully, I resorted to a fresh install of Win 10. That worked perfectly.

However, the issue I am now having is extending my two monitors that worked find before the
power glitch. They both are Identified and Detected. Now for unknown reason, I cannot extend them. They both work in "Duplicate These Displays",
"Show Only on 1", and "Show Only on 2" modes, but not "Extend These Displays".

Any ideas what could be wrong?

Thanks,

Ray
 


Solution
Hello Ray, Your problem can be caused by a couple of reasons: driver issues, incorrect display settings, or errors within the system itself. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix this issue:
  1. Update Graphics Driver: The problem might be due to an outdated or corrupted driver. Press Win+X and select Device Manager. Expand Display Adapters and right-click on your graphics card. Choose "Update Driver" and follow the prompts. You should choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". If Windows does not find a new driver, try looking for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.
  2. Check Display Settings: Right-click an empty area on your desktop, and click Display...
Hello Ray, Your problem can be caused by a couple of reasons: driver issues, incorrect display settings, or errors within the system itself. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix this issue:
  1. Update Graphics Driver: The problem might be due to an outdated or corrupted driver. Press Win+X and select Device Manager. Expand Display Adapters and right-click on your graphics card. Choose "Update Driver" and follow the prompts. You should choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". If Windows does not find a new driver, try looking for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.
  2. Check Display Settings: Right-click an empty area on your desktop, and click Display settings. Click on each identified monitor and ensure that you have Extend these displays selected in the Multiple displays drop-down list. You can also change the order of the monitors here.
  3. Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter: Go to Settings (Win+I), Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Click on 'Hardware and Devices' and run the troubleshooter.
  4. Check Windows Updates: This issue might be resolved by installing any pending Windows updates. Go to Settings (Win+I), then to the Update & Security section. If any updates are available, download and install them.
  5. Reconnect your Monitors: Unplug your monitors from your PC, wait a few moments, and then plug them back in. After doing this, see if the option to extend your desktop displays properly.
  6. Reinstalling Graphic Drivers: If none of the solutions above worked, try reinstalling the graphic drivers from the manufacturer's website. If you have done all these and still cannot extend the display, consult with your computer's manufacturer or a computer professional. It's important not to overlook the fact that your issue started after a power glitch, which may indicate that a hardware component suffered some damage during that event. Kind regards.
 


Solution
when you blue screen its common for default Gpu drivers to be loaded... the robot is right this time, i'd boot the system up and press the screen power buttion to turn off one of the monitors [count 10 secs] then turn it back on and repeat with the other one... this offen tells Microsoft to sod off and let your actual Gpu software drive instead

p.s, a backup is fine as a temp fix but sooner or later you will want to do a fresh install
 


You're absolutely correct—after a BSOD or major system event like a Windows reinstall, it's very common for default Microsoft GPU drivers to be loaded. These drivers are basic and often don’t handle extended display configurations properly. Your suggestion to cycle power on the monitors is a clever way to nudge Windows into recognizing the displays and letting the GPU-specific software take over. Here’s how to address this step by step!

1. Why Does This Happen After Blue Screens or Reinstalls?

  • Default Display Drivers Loaded: Windows installs basic GPU drivers compatible with most monitors, but these often lack support for multi-display setups or advanced features.
  • Corrupted Display Settings: BSODs during a driver operation (particularly GPU-related) may leave display configurations in a broken state, requiring a reset.
  • Missing Proper GPU Software: After a reinstall, the actual GPU control software (like NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin) isn’t installed until specific drivers are downloaded.

2. Your Suggestion: Cycling Monitors

Your advice to power off and on each monitor helps reset EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). EDID is how the monitor communicates its capabilities (resolution, refresh rate, etc.) to the graphics driver.
How to Do It:
  1. Turn off one monitor using its power button and wait ~10 seconds.
  2. Turn it back on, and let the system detect the connection.
  3. Repeat with the second monitor.
  4. After this process, go to Settings > Display > Multiple Displays and see if the "Extend" option works again.
This often forces Windows to refresh the display configuration—great advice!

3. Use the Correct GPU Drivers

Since loading Microsoft default GPU drivers is likely the root issue here, reinstalling the correct drivers should fix the problem permanently.

Steps to Install/Restore GPU Drivers:​

  1. Find Your GPU (Manufacturer):
    • Right-click Start > Device Manager > Expand Display adapters.
    • Note the GPU model (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Integrated Graphics).
  2. Uninstall Default Drivers:
    • Open Device Manager.
    • Right-click your GPU and select Uninstall Device.
    • Ensure you check Delete the driver software for this device.
  3. Install Actual GPU Drivers:
  4. Check the GPU Software:
    • Open NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Graphics Command Center.
    • Confirm that both monitors are detected and configure as extended displays in the GPU control software.

4. Reset Display Settings

If display configurations still don’t work:
  1. Open Settings > System > Display.
  2. Under Rearrange your displays, drag and align the monitors physically (if you see two displays).
  3. Scroll down to Multiple Displays and select Extend these displays.

5. Test Physical Connections

After major crashes or reinstallation, it’s worth testing whether hardware (like cables or ports) might be causing intermittent detection.
  • Re-seat Cables:
    • Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI/DisplayPort/DVI cables firmly at both ends.
  • Try Alternative Ports:
    • Switch to a different output port on your GPU (e.g., from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2), especially if one port isn’t recognizing the monitor.
  • Swap Cables:
    • Use a friend's known-good cable, as damaged cables can result in detection issues post-reinstall.

6. When All Else Fails: Fresh Install

You’re absolutely right to flag that while a backup solution (e.g., system restore or re-cloning an old backup) can temporarily fix the problem, the ideal long-term solution is often a true clean reinstall. Leftover driver remnants from BSODs or improper driver rollbacks can cause lingering glitches.

Tips for a Fresh Install:​

  • After reinstalling Windows:
    1. Run updates via Windows Update (Settings > Update & Security) to install basic drivers.
    2. Immediately install the correct GPU drivers (avoiding reliance on generic ones provided by Windows).

Summary

Your proposed method of monitor cycling combined with the additional fixes should resolve most extended monitor issues:
  • ✅ Power-cycling monitors to refresh EDID is an excellent first step.
  • ✅ Installing proper GPU drivers ensures correct hardware support.
  • ✅ Checking cables and ports rules out physical problems.
  • ✅ A fresh install is your fallback if all else fails.
Let us know how the user fares—multi-monitor setups can be finicky, but these steps should get them back to full productivity! 😊
 


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