Reference number: CH000191

Unable to increase the resolution in Windows.

Issue:

Unable to increase the resolution in Windows.

Causes:

There are two possible causes for this issue.

1. Improper or corrupt video drivers are installed.
2. Not enough video memory.

Solution:

Note: This document is related to the inability to increase the resolution in Windows. If you are having issues increasing your video in computer games see document CHGAME.

Improper video card drivers are installed

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows NT please see document CH000170.

This issue is often caused by corrupt, bad, or missing video drivers. Follow the below steps to help resolve this issue.

1. If you are unable to get into normal Windows or you cannot see anything in Windows, boot the computer into Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode as it is starting press the F8 over and over until the Startup menu appears that allows you to select Safe Mode. Additional information about getting into Safe Mode can be found on document CHSAFE.
2. Open Windows Device Manager and verify that no conflicts or issues are displayed on your video card or any other devices. In addition, verify that there is no Other Devices category. If issues exist, attempt to resolve these issues before continuing. Additional information and help can be found on our Device Manager page.
3. If Device Manager shows conflicts are found on your video card or your video card is a Standard display adapter, remove all video cards under the Display adapter category by highlighting the device and pressing the delete key until the Display adapter category is gone.
4. After following the above steps reboot your computer.
5. This will cause Microsoft Windows to re-detect and install the video card and/or any other devices you may have removed or fixed in step two. If windows asks for files you do not have, you may need to obtain the drivers as mentioned in the next step.
6. If the above steps do not resolve your issue, obtain the latest video drivers from the computer manufacturer and/or the video card or chipset manufacturer. You can find a link to video card manufacturers and chipset manufactures on our video card drivers page.

Additional information that relates to the above section.

• See document CH000258 for information about determining the type of video card you have.
• See video card link section for a listing of video card manufacturers.

Not enough video memory

Note: If your computer has been able to support a higher resolution or has been able to support the resolution you are attempting to use then this is not the cause of your issue. This issue is often caused with older computers (e.g. early computer manufacture red in the 1990's).

If you are attempting to increase the resolution beyond 640 x 480 - 256 colors, first verify that your computer has enough video memory. If your computer has been made within the last three years, you have enough video memory to support a higher resolution.

If you have an older computer or are unsure of the type of video card installed, please see document CH000258 for additional information about detecting your video card.

Once the amount of video memory is determined, the maximum resolution and color your card can support can be found on our video card help page 

If you are unable to determine how much video memory your computer has and your computer is several years old, it is recommended that you contact your video card manufacturer or computer manufacturer for additional information about your hardware.

Additional information:

• Additional information about setting the resolution in Microsoft Windows can be found on document CH000190.
• Additional information to why your video may be distorted after changing the resolution and rebooting can be found on document CH000121.