My laptop screen is zoomed out and I don't know how to fix it.

So I was in the middle of doing something on my laptop, and all of a sudden it brought me back to my home screen, minimized my game, and changed my resolution size. It said something about my graphics, but I didn't fully read it. Something similar happened before when my whole screen zoomed in, but that time just went and changed the resolution back to what I had before. I thought of doing that for this problem, but when I went to settings and resolution, the setting to change resolution was greyed out. I also tried the keyboard shortcuts, but those didn't work. I have no idea what happened and how to fix it. This is what it looks like now.

Hi Austin. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

What happens if you click on an empty area of the desktop to get it's attention, then hold the Ctrl key down while rolling the mouse wheel slowly forward or back, or tapping the + or - key?

This should perform a zoom action on desktop and in many Windows including browsers which is how you frame content in a Window to make it big enough to sit back and read.

If that doesn't help then given the error you saw about graphics the Display driver is so important here that merely updating it is sometimes not enough. So let's try everything possible to get it working correctly:

First make sure you have updated the Display driver from the PC or Display adapter maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag - from the sticker on the PC.

While there check also for newer chipset, BIOS/UEFI firmware (very important), network, sound, USB3 and other drivers, comparing to the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

Remove the old driver using DDU https://www.wagnardsoft.com/content/ddu-guide-t... if necessary installing in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://winaero.com/how-to-boot-windows-11-in-s...

If this doesn't give you the latest or ideal driver for what you need, compare it to the driver offered by the Intel driver update Utility here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support...

or the Nvidia GeForce scanner here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx?lang=e...

or the AMD autodect utility here: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/P...

For Display issues one fix that is working is to Roll back or Uninstall the Driver on the Display Device > Driver tab, restart PC to reinstall driver. You can also try older drivers in Device Manager > Display device > Driver tab > Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick.

Then you will know you've tried everything in addition to Windows Update drivers.

Adjust the screen resolution until it fits and looks best at Settings > System > Display.

Then expedite all WIndows Updates including Optional to see if it pushes Monitor or other enabling drivers.

Check for a monitor driver by expediting Windows Updates (including Optional Updates) in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates to install all Updates until no more are offered.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Last updated May 13, 2024 Views 2,339 Applies to: