how to fix an issue with an extra monitor that I can't duplicate but can only extend?

Question

Hi all,

Previously when I connect (via usb-C cable) my laptop to a monitor, it can duplicate the screen and that's what I want.

Today after few windows updates, when I tried to connect with the monitor, it can only do the 'extend' i.s.o. 'duplicate'. When I changed to 'duplicate', the screen keeps flashing and changing between extend and duplicate constantly.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall the driver, change the refresh rate, resolution,... but no luck so far.

Any idea to solve the problem?

Thanks and kind regards,
Nam.

Answer 1

It seems like you're experiencing an issue with your monitor configuration after recent Windows updates. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Check Display Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings." Ensure that the monitor is detected and try changing the display mode to "Duplicate" again.
2. Use Windows + P Shortcut: Press the Windows key + P and select "Duplicate" from the options. Sometimes, this can reset the display configuration.
3. Update Graphics Drivers: Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. You can do this by going to Device Manager, expanding "Display adapters," right-clicking on your graphics card, and selecting "Update driver."
4. Rollback Drivers: If the issue started after a driver update, consider rolling back to a previous version of the driver. You can do this in Device Manager by right-clicking on your graphics card, selecting "Properties," and then going to the "Driver" tab to find the rollback option.
5. Check USB-C Connection: Make sure that the USB-C cable is functioning properly and that both the laptop and monitor support the necessary display protocols for duplication.
6. Resolution and Refresh Rate: Sometimes, mismatched resolution or refresh rates can cause issues. Ensure both monitors are set to compatible resolutions and refresh rates.
7. Test with Another Monitor: If possible, try connecting a different monitor to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with the monitor or the laptop.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be beneficial to check for any known issues related to your specific hardware and Windows version, as sometimes updates can introduce compatibility problems.

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References:

• When using USB-attached monitor, display configuration may not be retained after reboot
• Display changes resolution in Windows 7 while pressing Win+P hot key and select duplicate when only one monitor is connected

Answer 2

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft community and sharing the details.

When you select “Duplicate” and the screen starts flashing, does it eventually settle on one mode or keep switching back and forth? Also, are both displays set to the same resolution and refresh rate, or are they different? This helps us figure out if the issue is caused by a mismatch, a driver conflict, or hardware limitations.

In the meantime, try updating your graphics driver through Device Manager, or roll it back if the problem started after an update. Check that both screens use compatible resolutions and refresh rates in display settings. You can also turn off HDR and hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in graphics settings, as these sometimes interfere with duplication. If that doesn’t help, restart the graphics driver with Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B, or disable and re-enable your GPU in Device Manager. Make sure your USB-C cable supports video output and test with another cable or port if possible. Finally, use Windows + P to select “Duplicate” after stabilizing settings sometimes toggling between Extend and Duplicate helps lock the mode.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Edward

Answer 3

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me. This issue is actually quite common after recent Windows 11 updates and usually happens because of driver conflicts or display mode bugs introduced by the update. There are a few things you can try to fix it.

First, check your display settings. Press Windows + P, choose Extend, wait a few seconds, then switch back to Duplicate. Sometimes that stabilizes the mode. Also make sure both screens have the same resolution and refresh rate in Settings > System > Display.

If that doesn’t help, look at your graphics drivers. Open Device Manager, go to Display adapters, and update your GPU driver. If the problem started after a driver update, you can roll it back under the Driver tab. For a clean reinstall, use a tool like DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to remove old drivers and then install the latest version from Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD.

Another thing to check is Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS). It can cause duplication issues, so go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics Settings, turn HAGS off, and restart. If you’ve ever used VR software like Oculus or Meta, uninstall or disable its virtual monitor driver as well.

You can also try forcing a GPU reset. In Device Manager, disable your GPU and then re-enable it. Right after that, press Windows + P and select Duplicate to refresh the display settings. There’s also a small utility called Restart64.exe (part of CRU tools) that can restart the graphics driver without rebooting.

Finally, check for Windows updates because Microsoft often releases hotfixes for display bugs. If nothing works, you can temporarily use Extend mode and manually mirror your content until Microsoft patches the duplication bug. This issue has been widely reported after the 24H2 update.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Edward