How to Fix Second Monitor Lag in Windows 11

Microsoft has been constantly rolling out updates to address various issues users are experiencing with Windows, with the aim of making the operating system the go-to choice for everyone. If you want to take full advantage of the latest features, it’s worth learning how to activate the new version of Copilot. However, some issues may still arise, affecting users differently.

In some cases, these issues are hardware-related, so it’s helpful to know how to identify if your RAM is likely to fail.

One of the most commonly reported issues in Windows 11 and recent updates is lag on a second monitor. If you’re experiencing this problem, don’t worry: it’s often caused by driver issues or system configuration issues, and there are several potential solutions you can try.

Check for and install updates in Windows Update

It’s important to remember that many issues you experience in Windows 11, as well as previous versions, may be caused by a recent update.

The first step in troubleshooting should be to check for any new updates released by Microsoft to fix the problem. To do this, go to Windows Settingsaccess the Windows Update and run a manual check for updates. This might help resolve the bug if a fix has already been provided.

Update display drivers

If your second monitor is lagging, it could be due to outdated or faulty drivers. In this case, updating your display and monitor drivers may resolve the issue.

To get started, tap Windows + X and select device Manager in the context menu. This will open an interface displaying a list of all installed devices and drivers.

To research Display adapters and click on it to expand the section. You will see your graphics driver listed here. Right-click on it and choose Update driver to check for available updates.

Uninstall display driver update

If you think the problem started after installing a driver update, you can try uninstalling it or rolling back to a previous version.

Follow the steps mentioned earlier to open device Manager and locate the Display adapters section. Right-click on the installed driver and choose Properties. Go to Driver tab and click Roll back the driverif the option is available. Then restart your PC to apply the changes.

If the Roll back the driver The option is not available, you can instead select Uninstall the device. Once the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer and the system should automatically reinstall a stable version of the driver.

Perform a system file check

A common problem that many overlook is that lag issues can be caused by corrupted system files. In this case, run the System File Checker (SFC) The tool can help resolve the issue.

To do this, right-click on Windows Start Menu and choose Terminal (administrator). In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

sfc/scannow

Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete. This tool will detect and repair all damaged system files.

Once the scan is complete, run the following command:

DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth

Press Enter and let the process complete. Once done, restart your computer to apply the changes. This should help resolve any lingering issues.

Change the screen refresh rate

Another potential solution is to adjust your monitor’s refresh rate, as this could be the source of the problem.

To do this, right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down and click Advanced display settingsthen choose your second monitor from the drop-down menu.

Check the Refresh rate setting and make sure it is set to 60Hz. This standard refresh rate often helps reduce lag and sync issues. Once the change is made, apply the settings and see if the problem is resolved.

Disable browser hardware acceleration

Many applications, including web browsers, use hardware acceleration to improve performance and stability. However, this feature can sometimes cause issues when using a second monitor. Here’s how to disable hardware acceleration in some popular browsers:

Disable hardware acceleration in Google Chrome

• Open Google Chrome and type chrome://settings in the address bar.
• Click on System in the left sidebar.
• Turn off the toggle to Use hardware acceleration when available.
• Restart the browser to apply the changes.

Disable hardware acceleration in Microsoft Edge

• Open Microsoft Edge and type edge://settings/system in the address bar.
• Look for the option Use hardware acceleration when available and turn it off.
• Restart the browser for the changes to take effect.

Disabling hardware acceleration may help resolve display issues on your second monitor.

Use Windows Troubleshooting

You can also use the troubleshooter that comes with Windows 11 and has been improved over the years. This is able to identify some errors and fix them, including those on the monitor and screen.

To do this, you need to press the key combination Windows + X and select Terminal (administrator)and in this interface you enter the commandmsdt.exe -ide DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter. Now a window will appear Material and devices. This tool He will look for any problems and attempt to correct them.

Do a reinstallation of Windows 11

If none of the above solutions work, the last resort is to reinstall the operating system from scratch. This step may be necessary if the second monitor problem is caused by a corrupted system file that cannot be fixed otherwise.

Before continuing, make sure to back up all your important files and documents to avoid losing data. Reinstalling Windows can often resolve persistent problems and restore system stability, but it should only be considered after trying other troubleshooting methods.