How to Fix Windows 11 Display Settings That Keep Reverting After Reboot

Windows 11 users often encounter an annoying issue where display settings like screen resolution or multi-monitor configurations revert to default values after restarting their computer. This problem can disrupt workflows and cause frustration, especially for those with custom display setups. Let’s explore some effective solutions to permanently fix these unstable display settings in Windows 11.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or faulty graphics drivers are a common culprit behind unstable display settings. Updating your GPU drivers should be your first troubleshooting step.

Step 1: Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”.

Step 2: Expand the “Display adapters” category.

Step 3: Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver”.

Step 4: Choose “Search automatically for drivers” and follow the prompts.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download and install the latest driver manually.


Modify Power Plan Settings

Sometimes, aggressive power-saving features can interfere with display settings persistence.

Step 1: Open Control Panel and navigate to “Power Options”.

Step 2: Click “Change plan settings” next to your active power plan.

Step 3: Click “Change advanced power settings”.

Step 4: Expand “PCI Express” and “Link State Power Management”.

Step 5: Set both “On battery” and “Plugged in” to “Off”.

Step 6: Click “Apply” and “OK” to save changes.


Disable Fast Startup

Windows 11’s Fast Startup feature can sometimes cause display settings to revert. Disabling it may solve the issue.

Step 1: Open Control Panel and go to “Power Options”.

Step 2: Click “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left sidebar.

Step 3: Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.

Step 4: Uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.

Step 5: Click “Save changes”.


Adjust Registry Settings

Modifying specific registry entries can help maintain display configurations. However, exercise caution when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability.

Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration

Step 3: Look for entries with names like SIMULATED_ followed by a string of numbers and letters.

Step 4: For each entry, expand it and locate the “00” subkey.

Step 5: Find and modify these values:

  • PrimSurfSize.cx
  • PrimSurfSize.cy
  • ActiveSize.cx
  • ActiveSize.cy

Set these to match your desired screen resolution (e.g., 1920 for width and 1080 for height).

Step 6: Restart your computer to apply changes.


Use Windows Display Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common display issues.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to “System” > “Troubleshoot” > “Other troubleshooters”.

Step 2: Find “Display” in the list and click “Run”.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.


Check for Windows Updates

Ensuring your system is up-to-date can resolve many display-related issues, as Microsoft often releases fixes for known problems in Windows updates.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to “Windows Update”.

Step 2: Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

Step 3: Restart your computer after the updates are installed.


If none of these solutions resolve the issue, consider checking your monitor’s firmware for updates or consulting with the manufacturer’s support team. In some cases, hardware-specific quirks may require specialized fixes or firmware updates to maintain consistent display settings across reboots.