Windows 10: Dual Monitors, can't set main display on random computers

Dave Evans 1 Reputation point
2021-04-15T19:50:02.987+00:00

Hi,

I have seen this on random computers and it's been driving me nuts as I have been unable to fix with uninstalling drivers, reinstalling new versions and other things. ONLY way I have been able to fix is to re-image the machine.

This is a on HP desktops with the same exact monitors on both but, have seen it on Dells in the past.

With dual monitors, Right click on desktop, go to Display settings, scroll down to "Make this my main display"

On a few computers, it's checked, and I cant change it, move it to the other monitor, same result, its' blacked out and can't change it. I am unable to set the main monitor. Unplugging the monitors, and reversing them, Windows automatically corrects for it and the problem is still there.

This is on Windows 10 20H2 but, seen it on Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and even XP before.

Anyone deal with this and a quick way to fix this really annoying issue that pops up time to time?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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8 answers

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  1. Eelco de Lang 11 Reputation points
    2022-03-31T07:55:40.64+00:00

    I had the same problem, but I totally missed that you need to select current monitor at the top of the configuration.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Reynold Gonzalez 10 Reputation points
    2023-08-04T14:59:43.9566667+00:00

    Hi Guys, this worked for me, in my case I have an NVIDIA control panel and just accessed by clicking Start -> NVIDIA Control Panel. Then go to Display -> Set up multiple displays. Click on the display you want to be the primary -> right click -> Make primary

    Screenshot 2023-08-04 085707

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  3. Jenny Feng 14,081 Reputation points
    2021-04-16T02:38:20.1+00:00

    anonymous userEvans-9765
    Hi,
    Please try following the steps and check if it helps.

    1. Turn off your secondary display.
    2. Go to display settings, there probably will be only one display left - your monitor, and it will be marked as 1
    3. Restart your computer.
    4. After logging back in, go to display settings and make sure settings are same as in step 2
    5. Connect your secondary display.

    Check in Intel Graphics control panel (Not Windows Control panel) regarding settings for dual monitor.
    Also disable Microsoft Transient Multi-Monitor Manager (TMM).

    a. Click on Start; in the start search type Task Scheduler and press Enter.
    b. In the 'Task Scheduler Library', select Microsoft >>Windows >> Mobile PC.
    c. Right click 'TMM' and select 'Disable'.
    d. Restart the computer.

    If the issue persists, I suggest you to uninstall and reinstall the display driver and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

    1. Press “Windows key + X” and click on “Device Manager”.
    2. In the list of devices, you should see the Display Drivers.
    3. Right click on the device and then select "Uninstall".
    4. In the uninstall dialog, make sure you select the option to delete the driver package from the system. This causes the driver package installed earlier to be deleted.
    5. In the Action menu of Device manager, select “Scan for Hardware changes” option. This will cause the device driver to be reinstalled. Once the driver is installed, close all windows and restart the computer.

    Hope above information can help you.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
  4. Dave Evans 1 Reputation point
    2021-04-20T12:59:15.33+00:00

    Tried your first step 1 through 5. This did nothing. Uninstalling the driver is not a quick fix but, will try it. I had to unplug the 2nd monitor because turning it off didn't really effect anything.

    I will after the user leaves for the day. It's a busy day.

    I did check for Microsoft Transient Multi-Monitor Manager (TMM).

    a. Click on Start; in the start search type Task Scheduler and press Enter.
    b. In the 'Task Scheduler Library', select Microsoft >>Windows >> Mobile PC.
    c. Right click 'TMM' and select 'Disable'.
    d. Restart the computer.

    On a laptop (connected to a dock with dual monitors), with Windows 10 20H2 this does not exist. I will check on the desktop machine when I can.

  5. Mig P 1 Reputation point
    2022-05-19T15:03:49.307+00:00

    I have had this problem a few times, but the fix was simpler than some of the other answers here.

    This has happened when I have traveled: leaving my "usual" setup of main/dual monitor, then coming back after several days of using my laptop elsewhere. I plug it back in to my "usual" setup, boot it up, and then all of a sudden everything is on the secondary monitor and my laptop screen is black.

    The fix was easy once I found it:

    1. Go into Display Settings
    2. Scroll down and look for "Multiple Displays"
    3. Make sure it is set to "Extend Displays", then click "Accept" or "Keep these settings" or whatever the confirmation is.
    4. Sit back feeling relieved as it is now fixed!

    For whatever weird reason, traveling reset this to "Show only on 2". Causing the symptoms that this thread is about. Easy fix!

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