Display Mode Keeps Reverting to "Extend Display" – Windows 11 Bug?

Question

System Information:

• OS: Windows 11 Pro

Version: 10.0.26100 (Build 26100)

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Troubleshooting Steps Taken: I’ve done extensive troubleshooting, including:

Updated all drivers (GPU, chipset, etc.)

Reinstalled GPU drivers (including clean installs and older versions)

Reinstalled and repaired Windows

Changed display cables and used different GPU output ports

Disabled and re-enabled display adapters

Disabled GPU scheduling

Removed ghost/hidden monitors via Device Manager

Cleared display profile registry keys at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration

Used CRU (Custom Resolution Utility) to inspect/remove EDID entries

Disabled display setting sync in my Microsoft account

Removed third-party display tools (e.g., DisplayFusion, remote desktop apps)

Tried startup scripts like DisplaySwitch.exe /clone to force duplication — issue persists

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Current Behavior: I have two monitors and a capture card connected. I’m trying to duplicate my main display (Monitor 1) to the capture card input (Monitor 2). Windows allows me to select "Duplicate display," but the setting immediately reverts to "Extend display" on its own — even without a reboot or sleep cycle. The change simply doesn’t stick.

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Attachments: I’ve included a video showing the issue happening in real time.

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Request: Looking for a fix or escalation path. This seems to be a deeper OS-level issue, and none of the common solutions have worked. Please advise on how to proceed.

Answer 1

Hello Borgr

welcome to Q&A

Regarding the persistent problem of Windows 11 display mode being forced to revert to ‘Extended Display’, combined with the in-depth troubleshooting steps you have already tried, this is most likely related to the underlying system service conflict, registry residuals, or hardware compatibility mechanism abnormality.

You can try the following methods:

Method 1: Disable automatic system display optimisation

  1. Press Win + R and type services.msc, find the following services and disable them:

      DisplayEnhancementService

      ProblemReportsControlService

 2. Test whether it takes effect after reboot.

Method 2: Force a reboot to show the service stack

1. Administrator CMD Execution:

net stop UxSms

net stop DisplayEnhancementService

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

del /f /q %localappdata%\DisplayConfig*

start explorer.exe

 2. Clear the display configuration cache to avoid rolling back old settings.

Method 3: Completely remove GPU driver residue

Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)（https://www.wagnardsoft.com/） Remove the driver in safe mode.

After reboot Do not install the driver temporarily and test whether the base display is stable.

Disclaimer: This is a third-party website, does not guarantee that any third-party website method can not be brought to the impact, if you use this method need to pay extra attention to it!

Thank you for your patience and reading.

Best regards.

Ian | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist