I am unable to switch my display mode to “Duplicate” in Windows.

Question

I am experiencing a display issue in Windows with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. My system, GPU drivers, and Windows are fully up to date. I am using an HDMI 2.0 cable, which previously worked correctly with the same hardware setup.

Currently, Windows does not allow me to use the “Duplicate display” mode. Only the “Second screen only” option works correctly. When the external monitor is connected, the refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, even though both the laptop display and the external monitor support 144 Hz.

The resolution appears to be locked to 1920x1080. Although I can manually change the resolution and refresh rate in the settings, the changes do not apply and do not take effect.

This issue started recently and did not occur before with the same hardware, cable, and monitor. I would appreciate assistance in determining whether this problem is caused by a Windows software issue, a GPU driver issue, or a potential hardware limitation or fault.

Answer 1

Hi Jure,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I can understand how inconvenient it is to suddenly lose the ability to duplicate displays and run at 144 Hz when everything worked fine before. We’ll work through this step by step and get you back to the performance you expect.

I can see that the Q&A Assist already suggested some similar steps, but not in much detail, so I’ve expanded them here with clearer guidance and added a few extra steps that may help isolate the issue:

Step 1: Restart and reconnect

Turn off your laptop and monitor completely. Unplug the HDMI cable from both end and then reconnect and power everything back on. This clears out any “handshake” issues between Windows and the monitor.

Step 2: Check Windows display settings

Go to Settings (Windows key + I) > System > Display. First set the mode to “Extend,” then open Advanced display settings and manually select 144 Hz for both screens. After that, switch back to “Duplicate” and see if the refresh rate sticks.

Step 3: Reinstall the NVIDIA driver cleanly

Sometimes updates can cause conflicts. Visit NVIDIA’s website to download the latest graphics driver and, if needed, a previous stable version that worked well for your setup. Uninstall your current drivers, reboot your system, and then reinstall using the ‘Clean installation’ option to ensure all old files are removed.

*Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Step 4: Roll back recent Windows updates

If the issue started right after a Windows update, uninstall the most recent update from Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

Step 5: Test in Safe Mode

Boot your system into Safe Mode with networking (hold Shift while clicking Restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart then choose Safe Mode with Networking). In Safe Mode, try duplicating the display and adjusting refresh rates. If it works here, the issue is likely caused by a third‑party driver or background process.

Step 6: Perform a Clean Boot

Run a Clean Boot to check if background apps or services are interfering.

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Under the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” then click “Disable all.”
• Go to the Startup tab > Open Task Manager then disable all startup items.
• Restart your PC and test duplication/refresh rate again. If duplication works in Clean Boot, re‑enable services one by one to find the culprit.

*Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track. 

If you try these steps and things still don’t look right, please feel free to reach back out. I’m happy to assist further.

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Answer 2

It seems you are experiencing issues with the display configuration in Windows, specifically with the inability to switch to "Duplicate" mode and the refresh rate being locked at 60 Hz. Here are some potential causes and solutions based on the context provided:

1. Display Configuration Issue: Sometimes, after changing display settings or connecting/disconnecting monitors, the display configuration can revert to a previous state. You can try using the Windows logo key + P keyboard shortcut to toggle through the display modes and see if you can select "Duplicate" again.
2. Driver Issues: Ensure that your NVIDIA GPU drivers are fully updated. Sometimes, a recent update can cause issues, so you might want to check for any known issues with the latest driver version or consider rolling back to a previous version if the problem started after an update.
3. Refresh Rate and Resolution Limitations: The issue with the refresh rate being limited to 60 Hz could be due to the external monitor settings or the cable being used. Ensure that both the laptop and external monitor settings are configured to support higher refresh rates. Also, check if the HDMI cable is capable of supporting 144 Hz at the resolution you are trying to use.
4. Windows Settings: If the resolution and refresh rate changes do not apply, it might be a software issue within Windows. You can try resetting the display settings or running the Windows display troubleshooter to identify and fix any configuration issues.
5. Hardware Limitations: Although unlikely since you mentioned it worked before, ensure that there are no hardware faults with the monitor or the GPU. Testing with a different monitor or cable could help isolate the issue.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or NVIDIA support for more specific troubleshooting steps related to your hardware setup.

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References:

• Display configuration reverts to "Second screen only" after you resume from standby
• Windows 8: List All Modes in Advanced Display Settings in Control Panel displays incomplete list of modes when in Duplicate mode