my laptop monitor won't work after windows update

Question

I updated my Windows 11 Home using Windows Update yesterday. As of now, I can only view my desktop (or anything else) when I plug in an external monitor. My laptop monitor still works; when I ran a BIOS update from Lenovo, I saw the progress bar on my laptop monitor.

I went to Display, and it was set on 'Only display on 2'. I changed the settings several times, but only the external monitor displays anything.

Answer 1

Dear Tirone,

It sounds like a software issue, likely with the display driver, that was triggered by the recent Windows update. Since your laptop screen works in the BIOS, the hardware itself is fine.

Here are the most common ways to fix this:

1. Change Display Projection Mode

First, try forcing Windows to detect your laptop screen again using a keyboard shortcut.

• Press the Windows key + P simultaneously.
• A menu will appear on your external monitor.
• Use the arrow keys to select "Duplicate" or "Extend" and press Enter. Even if it's already on another setting, cycle through the options. If those don't work, select "PC screen only".

---

2. Roll Back or Reinstall Your Display Driver

The Windows update likely installed a new display driver that is causing the problem.

To Roll Back the Driver:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the "Display adapters" section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) and select Properties.
4. Go to the "Driver" tab and click "Roll Back Driver".
5. Follow the prompts and restart your computer.

If "Roll Back Driver" is Grayed Out:

1. In the same Driver tab, click "Uninstall Device". Crucially, check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver for this device."
2. After it's uninstalled, restart your laptop. Windows will attempt to reinstall a default driver upon reboot, which often solves the issue.It sounds like a software issue, likely with the display driver, that was triggered by the recent Windows update. Since your laptop screen works in the BIOS, the hardware itself is fine. Here are the most common ways to fix this:
   1. Change Display Projection Mode
   First, try forcing Windows to detect your laptop screen again using a keyboard shortcut.
   • Press the Windows key + P simultaneously.
   • A menu will appear on your external monitor.
   • Use the arrow keys to select "Duplicate" or "Extend" and press Enter. Even if it's already on another setting, cycle through the options. If those don't work, select "PC screen only".
   2. Roll Back or Reinstall Your Display Driver
   The Windows update likely installed a new display driver that is causing the problem. To Roll Back the Driver:
   1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand the "Display adapters" section.
   3. Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD) and select Properties.
   4. Go to the "Driver" tab and click "Roll Back Driver".
   5. Follow the prompts and restart your computer.
   If "Roll Back Driver" is Grayed Out:
   1. In the same Driver tab, click "Uninstall Device". Crucially, check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver for this device."
   2. After it's uninstalled, restart your laptop. Windows will attempt to reinstall a default driver upon reboot, which often solves the issue.

Best Regards,