Many graphic card users are unable to find the NVIDIA Control Panel on the desktop context menu or in the Windows Control Panel. Have you encountered the same? If Yes, then there is no need to worry about it anymore as we will discuss every possible solution here to tackle the NVIDIA Control Panel Missing issue.
A point to note here is that not only specific Windows users are facing the issue, inspire of it, but users of all the Windows versions from Windows 7 to 10 are also facing the same. The NVIDIA Control Panel has the control of NVIDIA graphics driver settings as well as other NVIDIA utilities that you might have installed on your system. Moreover, it is not possible to modify the NVIDIA settings without this Control Panel, and you might want to get away to bring it back.
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What is NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?
The NVIDIA Control Panel has the responsibility of adjusting the hardware settings of Graphic cards and media processor and hence ensuring the best overall experience using NVIDIA graphics.
This software is most useful for gaming communities, media, and video editors. It appears automatically after installing the NVIDIA driver. But when it gets missed out, the users become unable to modify the graphic settings.
What Causes NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?
There can be many reasons behind this error, such as;
- Faulty or outdated graphic cards;
- Corrupted driver files;
- Recent Windows update;
- Administrator permissions;
- Missing or incorrect registry entries;
- Corrupted NVIDIA control panel;
Now, you have to identify which one of them is the real culprit behind your trouble.
How to Fix NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error
Now, you have the essence of the NVIDIA Control Panel Missing error. So, let’s begin with all the relevant and effective solutions to get back the NVIDIA Control Panel.
Method 1 – Unhide NVIDIA Control Panel
The Control Panel might be hidden by Windows after running a Windows update, because of which you will not be able to find the NVIDIA control panel. Moreover, after some time, your graphic settings can be changed by other software. In this case, you need to unhide the control panel by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Click on the Start menu and search Control Panel.
Step 2: On the top right side of the window, set View by to Large icons.
Step 3: From the options, select NVIDIA Control Panel. Select Desktop.
Step 4: Click on Add Desktop Context Menu and Show Notification Tray Icon.
Now check if the NVIDIA control panel appears or not and if you have access to all the features.
Method 2 – Stop Overclocking Your GPU
Even if all the above methods fail and the error persists, then you have only one option, i.e., Stop Overclocking your GPU. Overclocking the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) increases its clock rate and makes it run at a higher speed than it is designed to run.
Undoubtedly, it will boost the performance, but there is a bad side of it too, sometimes overclocking leads to errors happening in your PC, and NVIDIA control panel missing might be one of them.
So, what you need to do is to stop overclocking the graphic card and examine whether the Control Panel appears or not. If the control panel reappears, you can overclock it again. But remember, try not to overclock it too much otherwise the problem can reappear.
Method 3 – Restart NVIDIA Services
If none of the above steps worked, then you are recommended to make sure that the necessary NVIDIA services are running to make the NVIDIA control panel functioning correctly. For doing so, restart NVIDIA services on your system by following the given steps:
Step 1: Press Windows key + R hotkey to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc to open Services window. Find the NVIDIA services from the displayed options. Then, right-click on each NVIDIA service and select Restart option.
Step 3: Now, once again, right-click on the NVIDIA services and then select Properties from the option. A new window will open up.
Step 4: Expand the drop-down list beside Startup type and select Automatic. Click OK to save the changes.
Method 4 – Update Graphics Driver
If the graphic card is outdated or corrupted, then you will not be able to find the NVIDIA Control Panel on your Windows. In this case, it’s all driver’s fault; we recommend updating the graphic card driver of your system to solve the NVIDIA Control Panel Missing issue. So, for updating the graphic driver proceed with these steps:
Step 1: Press Windows key + X hotkey in your keyboard. From the options, select Device Manager.
Step 2: From the Device Manager window, click on the forward arrow in front of Display adaptors.
Step 3: From the options, find the NVIDIA graphic card driver and then right-click on it. Now, click on the Update driver option.
Step 4: A new window will open up. Select the option Search automatically for updated driver software.
By doing so, the system will provide you with the best and the latest driver available. The system will automatically start installing the driver.
Method 5 – Uninstall & Reinstall the Graphics Driver
The graphic driver might not be compatible with the system because of being outdated; this can lead the NVIDIA control panel not to open in Windows 10/8.1/8/7. To fix the issue, you need to uninstall it and then reinstall it. For doing so, proceed with the steps below :
Step 1: Click Windows key + R hotkey. A run dialog box will open up.
Step 2: Now, type devmgmt.msc and select OK to open the Device Manager.
Step 3: Press the forward arrow in front of the option Display Adapters.
Step 4: Now, right-click on the NVIDIA driver. From the options, select Uninstall.
Then restart your PC and reinstall the driver by following these instructions:
Step 1: Visit the NVIDIA website, and choose the model of your graphic card and search.
Step 2: Now, download the latest driver and install it.
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Conclusion
Hopefully, you will be able to get the NVIDIA Control Panel back. Even after applying all the methods, the control panel is still missing. Then we advise you to contact the NVIDIA support for further help.
