Not Able To Change Resolution to 3440x1440 in Windows 11 ?

Question

Hello community, just installed Windows 11 on my new Surface 4 Laptop (i7 32 Go). I'm not able to change the resolution to 3440x1440 for my second monitor (5K2K monitor). It worked perfectly with Windows 10. Thanks for your help.

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Answer 1

Hi MaximLesur,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. I'm sorry to hear about the issue you are having with your Surface Laptop 4 on its external monitor after upgrading to Windows 11.

Just to confirm: this works fine before the upgrade to Windows 11, right?

How was the upgrade to Windows 11 done? Was it through the Windows update page in Settings or through the Update Assistant (Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com))?

How is the monitor connected to the Surface? Are you using a Surface Dock?

How many external monitor are connected to the device? May I know their brand and model?

How is the Surface screen projected to the external monitor? Is it set to Duplicate, Extend or Second screen only?

For now, kindly try clearing the display cache of the device first. See: Troubleshoot connecting Surface to a second screen (microsoft.com) and refer to Solution 6.

If still the issue persist, run these steps on the device:

1: Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

See: Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com)

2: Check for Windows Update

Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security and select Check for updates

Make sure all updates need are installed including Optional updates

3: Update drivers and firmware

Check what is the current OS Build of your Windows version by going to Settings > System > About. 

Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Laptop 4

Then click the link next to Surface Laptop 4 then click Download on the next page.

Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.

After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart. 

4: Run System File Checker Tool

See: Using System File Checker in Windows (microsoft.com)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hello, thanks for the response.

• Yes it worked perfectly with Windows 10
• Update thru Windows Update page in settings
• Monitor is connected thru HDMI - USB C connection
• Just one monitor : MSI Prestige PS341WU
• Configuration is on Extend

Will try what you propose and come back.

Answer 3

Hi MaximLesur,

Thank you for the details. Yes, please try the steps given first then see if it works.

Regarding with the connection, is it an HDMI to USB-C direct cable or are you using an adapter?

What resolution is the monitor currently using?

Are there any other resolution options available or it is just stuck on that current resolution?

Answer 4

Thanks for the quick reply :

• I'm using an adapter.
• Actual resolution is 3440x1440 (recommended) on Windows 10 - Windows 11 is not proposing this resolution (that's the issue)
• Windows 11 is proposing the following resolution : 3840 x 2160 so I'm loosing 25% of my screen size.

I'm trying to updload the Surfacelaptop4 drivers to see if something changes.

I 've tried your recommendations with no success so far.

Thanks for trying to help

Answer 5

Hi MaximLesur,

Apologies for the delay. Checking on the MSI Prestige PS341WU specification (Prestige PS341WU | Designer & Creator’s Monitor | We are creators! (msi.com)), it shows resolution for HDMI connection to be 3840 x 2160 (Up to 60 Hz). I'm not sure also how it previously offered you with 3440 x 1440 in Windows 10. Try lowering the Refresh Rate of the monitor then check if it will offer you with the needed resolution.

If the issue persist, can we try other connection available? Using the USB-C connection perhaps.

Please try also to check with MSI support to see if an update is needed for the monitor to Windows 11.