Where to find display settings and what you can change

Display settings in Windows 11 live in one place: the Settings app under System > Display. From there you can adjust screen brightness, resolution, refresh rate, text size, night light, and multiple monitor layouts. Most changes take effect when ready, and Windows remembers your choices the next time you start your computer.

The fastest way in is to right-click your desktop and select "Display settings" from the menu. Alternatively, open Settings (Windows key + I), then go to System in the left sidebar and click Display. Both routes land you in the same control panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click your desktop and choose "Display settings" to reach the control panel in one step, or use Windows key + I to open Settings and navigate to System > Display.
  • Resolution, brightness, and refresh rate are the three most common adjustments, and Windows 11 usually detects your monitor's native resolution automatically.
  • Text size (scaling) affects how large everything appears on screen; 100% is standard, and 125% or 150% makes text and icons larger without changing resolution.
  • Night light reduces blue light in the evening and can be scheduled to turn on and off automatically at set times.
  • If you connect a second monitor, Windows detects it automatically, but you can choose whether to extend, duplicate, or use only one display.

Changing resolution and refresh rate

Resolution is the number of pixels your monitor displays. Windows 11 recommends a default resolution based on your monitor's size and capabilities — usually the highest one your screen supports. To change it, open Display settings, scroll down to "Display resolution," and click the dropdown menu. Select a different resolution and click "Keep changes." Windows gives you 15 seconds to confirm; if you do not click the button, it reverts automatically.

Refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image. Most monitors run at 60 Hz, which is fine for everyday work. Gamers and video editors sometimes prefer 120 Hz or higher for smoother motion. To change it, scroll further down in Display settings to "Advanced display" and click that link. Under "Refresh rate," select your preferred Hz value from the dropdown.

If you do not see your monitor's native resolution or refresh rate as an option, your graphics driver may be outdated. Check the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) for a newer driver and install it, then restart your computer.

Adjusting brightness and text size

Brightness is the first setting you see when you open Display. Use the slider to make the screen brighter or dimmer. If you have a laptop, you can also adjust brightness using the keyboard shortcut (usually Fn + up or down arrow), which overrides the Settings slider.

Text size (called "Scale" in Windows 11) makes everything on screen larger or smaller without changing resolution. The default is 100%. If text looks too small, try 125% or 150%. Open Display settings, scroll to "Scale," and click the dropdown. Select a percentage and click "explore." You may need to sign out and back in for some apps to display the new size correctly.

Turning on night light and scheduling it

Night light reduces blue light in the evening, which can make it easier to sleep if you use your computer before bed. Open Display settings and scroll down to "Night light." Click the toggle to turn it on. The screen takes on a warmer, more orange tone when ready.

To schedule night light automatically, click "Night light settings" (the link below the toggle). Turn on "Schedule night light," then set a start time and an end time. Windows will turn night light on and off at those times every day. You can also adjust the strength of the effect using the "Strength" slider — higher values make the screen more orange.

Setting up multiple monitors

When you plug in a second monitor, Windows detects it automatically and shows it in Display settings. Scroll down to "Multiple displays" to see your options. You can extend your display (use both monitors as one wide workspace), duplicate it (show the same image on both), or use only one monitor.

To choose which monitor is your main one, scroll to "Multiple displays" and look for "Make this your main display." Click the dropdown under each monitor to select its role. You can also rearrange monitors by clicking and dragging them in the diagram at the top of the Display settings page — this tells Windows which monitor is to the left or right of the other, so your cursor moves naturally between them.

If a monitor does not appear, click "Detect" at the top of the Multiple displays section. Windows will search for connected displays and add them to the list.

Fixing blurry text or scaling problems

If text looks blurry after you change resolution or text size, the problem is usually a mismatch between your monitor's native resolution and the one you selected. Return to Display settings and choose the resolution marked "Recommended" — this is your monitor's native resolution and will look sharpest.

If an individual app displays blurry text, right-click the app's shortcut or window title bar, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check "Change high DPI settings." Then check "Override high DPI scaling behavior" and click "explore." This tells Windows to handle scaling differently for that app.

Rotating your display

If you want to rotate your monitor 90 degrees (portrait mode instead of landscape), open Display settings and scroll to "Display orientation." Click the dropdown and select "Portrait," "Landscape (flipped)," or "Portrait (flipped)." Click "Keep changes" to confirm. Your entire screen rotates, including the taskbar.

This is useful if you use a second monitor in portrait mode for reading documents or code, or if you physically rotate a monitor to stand vertically. To rotate back, return to Display orientation and select "Landscape."

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my screen look blurry after I change the resolution?

Your monitor has a native resolution — the number of pixels it physically has. Using a different resolution forces Windows to stretch or shrink the image, which makes it look fuzzy. Go back to Display settings and select the resolution marked "Recommended." That is your monitor's native resolution and will look sharpest.

Can I have different resolutions on two monitors at the same time?

Yes. In Display settings, click on each monitor separately in the "Multiple displays" section and set a different resolution for each one. Windows remembers the settings for each monitor independently.

What does refresh rate mean, and should I change it?

Refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image, measured in Hz. Most monitors run at 60 Hz, which is fine for web browsing, email, and office work. If you game or edit video, a higher refresh rate (120 Hz or more) can make motion look smoother, but only if your graphics card can keep up.

My second monitor is not showing up in Display settings. What do I do?

First, make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on. Then open Display settings, scroll to "Multiple displays," and click "Detect." Windows will search for connected displays. If it still does not appear, the cable may be loose or the graphics driver may need an update. Check the manufacturer's website for a newer driver.

Can I change display settings without restarting Windows?

Yes. Most display changes (brightness, resolution, text size, night light) take effect when ready or after you click "explore." You may need to sign out and back in for text size changes to show in all apps, but a full restart is rarely necessary.