Have you tried changing your screen resolution on Windows 11 or Windows 10 only to find that the only option you can select in the display settings is “1024×768“? This strange problem can occur after a random Windows boot up, or after you tried to change to a screen resolution larger than your usual resolution, which is usually followed by a black screen. All other options will be grayed-out, and you will be left with only the 1024 option. If this has happened to you, try the following solutions.
Related issue: Screen Size Smaller or Larger Than Monitor Issue
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Reasons behind the issue
There are a few situations that can lead to the Windows 11 or 10 resolution being stuck at 1024×768 only problem, including:
- A corrupted, missing, or incorrectly installed graphics driver.
- The cable you are using to connect your monitor with your GPU doesn’t support the resolutions you want.
- A defective graphic card, cable, or monitor.
How to fix screen resolution stuck at 1024×768 on Windows 11/10
Start with some basic steps first to figure out and maybe fix the issue instantly. Restart your computer first—this can sometimes clear up resolution problems. Make sure your monitor is properly hooked up to your computer and the cable is securely plugged in. Try using a different monitor or cable to see if it’s a hardware issue. If these steps don’t help, you can then proceed to the solutions below to fix the resolution being stuck at 1024×768 issue.
Update graphics driver
If both your monitor and graphic card support screen resolution larger than 1024×768, the most likely cause of the issue is a corrupted, missing, or incorrectly installed graphic drivers. Try to update or reinstall your graphic drivers and see if it fixes the issue.
You can update your GPU driver by either manually downloading from “Nvidia.com” for Nvidia graphic card or “AMD.com” for ATI video card, or by updating via “Device Manager” in Windows 10/11. Here are the steps to update via Device Manager:
Also see: How to check what graphics card you have on Windows 11/10
- Go to start menu or Cortana.
- Search for and open “Device Manager“.
- In Device Manager, expand the “Display adapters” category.
- Right-click on your primary graphic processing unit, then select “Update driver“.
- On the next window, select “Search automatically for updated driver software” to allow Windows to automatically search for the latest driver and install it for your PC.
Your GPU may appear as an unknown device with a yellow exclamation mark under the display adapters category in Device Manager if Windows couldn’t correctly detect your GPU. In that case, right-click it and select “Update driver” to allow Windows to install the driver for you.
Similar problem: Monitor Not Working After Windows Update (Fix)
If you are using a Windows 11/10 laptop from manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, or Toshiba, and Windows is unable to locate the appropriate GPU driver, visit your laptop manufacturer’s website. From there, download the graphics driver (typically an M series) specifically tailored for your laptop model.
Uninstall and reinstall graphics driver
Another way to fix this is to uninstall your GPU driver. Right-click on it in Device Manager and select “Uninstall driver“. After your computer restarts, reinstall the driver using the method above or download it manually from your GPU maker’s website.
Usually, if Windows notices the GPU driver is missing, it will automatically update and reinstall the right driver for you when you reboot.
Try changing the resolution via other software
If you have an Nvidia graphics card, consider changing your Windows screen resolution using the “Nvidia Control Panel” to see if it resolves the issue. For those with ATI video cards, use the “AMD Catalyst Software” instead.
- Go to the start menu.
- Search for “Nvidia Control Panel“.
- Expand “Display” and then select “Change resolution“.
- From there, you can try to change the screen resolution for your monitor under “Resolution“.
Cable you are using doesn’t support 4k / 2k
A common reason for being stuck at the “1024×768” resolution is that the cable connecting your monitor to your GPU might not support higher resolutions like 2k or 4k.
You’ll need at least a DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 cable for 4K at 60Hz. Also, you have to make sure that both your monitor and GPU support the necessary port version to work correctly. Some monitors only support their maximum resolution through specific ports, so it’s important to check this.
Suggested read: Generic PnP Monitor Driver Problem in Windows 11/10
Check Monitor to GPU connection
Double-check that your monitor is correctly connected to your GPU, not to the built-in video adapter on your motherboard. It is a common mistake for people who don’t actually understand their PC, especially those with older motherboards.
But, even if you did connect your monitor to an onboard graphics card, most modern ones should support much higher resolutions than just “1024×768”.
Potential hardware defects: Graphics card, cable, or monitor
If nothing else works, a hardware problem might be to blame. It could be your GPU, monitor, or the cable between them. If you think this might be the case, try testing with parts borrowed from another computer and see if you’re still stuck with “1024×768”. Replace them as needed.
