Windows 10 VGA is Not Working: How to Enable it

Make sure the correct drivers are installed

Fix » Windows 10

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by Ivan Jenic 

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Key notes

  • When the Windows 10 VGA is not working, it's usually the misconfigured settings, an outdated driver, or a bug in the OS to blame.
  • This results in poor performance and the inability to run certain programs.
  • To fix things, boot the PC into safe mode, install all pending OS updates, or disable the problematic adapter.
fix windows 10 vga not working

Some Windows users have stumbled upon VGA issues. Either they get a black screen when booting the PC, or they can’t get into their desired games. So, what do you do when Windows 10 VGA is not working?

The problem often arises after changing the PC or laptop display settings. Keep in mind that some VGA adapters will not support every option we want to use on Windows 10. For example, the two-monitor setting scenario or even high-end games.

Keep reading to find out the solutions!

What can I do when Windows 10 VGA is not working?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Use an external HDMI monitor

  1. After you boot the laptop with the alternative display, undo the changes made to the graphics drivers and settings.
  2. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  3. Expand the Display adapters entry, right-click on the problematic graphics adapter, and select Disable device.disable display adapter windows 10 device manager
  4. Confirm the change, reboot the laptop, and see if you can use the graphics card properly.

If you have a laptop and cannot get into Windows 10 because you have nothing on the screen, the first thing you need to do is connect the laptop to an external display via an HDMI cable.

Then, disable the problematic graphics adapter and let Windows rely on the other one when the Windows 10 VGA is not working.

2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, paste the following, and hit Enter:msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostictroubleshooter to fix windows 10 vga not working
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter and make the recommended changes.
  3. Once done, restart the PC for the changes to apply.hardware and devices

This is how you can fix all VGA issues when it’s not working on Windows 10 and the latest iteration, i.e. Windows 11.

However, if it’s a hardware VGA issue, we recommend contacting the Video Card manufacturer or PC manufacturer for more detailed help on the matter.

Before you leave, find out how to update the graphics driver and get the best performance.

Let us know in the comments below if you have other ideas related to this specific issue.

More about the topics: windows 10 fix

Ivan Jenic

Ivan Jenic Shield

Windows Hardware Expert

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he's not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.