Stopping Windows 11 from Resetting Monitor After Sleep

Dual monitor setups are pretty cool because they let you do more things at once, kind of like juggling more balls without dropping them. But, some folks using Windows 11 have run into annoying problems, like their second monitor not playing nice after the computer sleeps or gets locked. This can mean your apps get shuffled back to the main screen or sometimes the monitors don’t want to wake up properly. Though we saw some of this in Windows 10, it’s still hanging around in Windows 11. We’re here to walk you through how to fix these headaches on Windows 11.

Also see: Second Monitor Keeps Going to Sleep (Fix)

Disabling monitor auto detection in Windows 11

Windows has this trick where it tries to figure out which monitors are on and how to arrange everything for you. Handy, right? But sometimes, it gets a bit too helpful and moves stuff around when you don’t want it to.

Note: The fancy TMM feature is more for laptops and might not be your thing if you’re on a desktop. If that’s the case, hang tight for other tricks we’ll cover.

Step-by-step guide to disable auto detection:

1. First things first, make sure you’ve created a system restore point or backed up your registry. Messing with the registry can be risky, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Hit Windows + R, type “regedit” into the Run box, and press Enter.
3. Go to this spot in the Registry Editor:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft

4. If you see a folder called “TMM”, you’re in the right place. If not, you can make one right there by right-clicking on Microsoft, picking New > Key, and naming it “TMM”.
5. Inside the TMM folder, look for “UseIViewHelper”.
   • If it’s there, open it up and change its value to 0.
   • If you don’t see it, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it “UseIViewHelper”, and then set its value to 0.

After doing this, restart your computer, and your monitors should stop playing musical chairs every time they wake up from sleep.

Suggested read: Sleep vs. Hibernate vs. Hybrid Sleep vs. Shutdown in Windows

Re-enabling monitor auto detection in Windows 11

Changed your mind? No problem. Just walk back through the steps you did before to turn auto detection back on.

Steps to enable auto detection:

1. Make sure you’ve got your registry backup ready, just in case.
2. Press Windows + R, type “regedit” into the Run box, and hit Enter.
3. Head over to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TMM

4. Find “UseIViewHelper” inside the TMM folder.
5. Open “UseIViewHelper” and change its value back to 1.
6. Restart your computer, and it should start recognizing monitors properly again when they’re plugged in or out.

Related resource: How to Stop Windows 11 From Turning Off Screen or Sleeping

Check physical connections

Sometimes the issue is as simple as a loose cable. Cables can get old or loose, which messes with the monitor connection.

• Make sure all cables connecting your monitors are tight and secure. A wobbly connection can cause a lot of headaches.
• If your cables have been around the block a few times, they might need replacing. Trying new cables could do the trick.
• Try changing the type of connection. If you’re on VGA, switch to HDMI, or the other way around. Different types might work better for your setup.

Linked issue: Second Monitor Keeps Flashing or Going Black Randomly

Update or reinstall display drivers

If your display drivers are out of date or got some bugs, it can cause all sorts of display problems. Keeping them up to date can often fix these issues.

• Check for driver updates now and then. They can fix bugs or make your displays run smoother.
• Go to your graphics card’s website (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and grab the latest drivers for your model.
• If things still aren’t right, uninstall your current drivers and put the new ones in. This can help get rid of any corrupted files hanging around from before.

Use third-party software: PersistentWindows

Some tools out there can remember where your windows were and put them back after your computer wakes up or restarts.

• PersistentWindows is pretty cool for keeping your windows where you left them, even after sleep or a restart.
• It’s especially handy if you’re juggling a bunch of monitors and want to keep things consistent.
• You can grab this tool from GitHub, and many people find it super helpful for avoiding window shuffle blues.

Just remember to back up important stuff and be careful when you’re tweaking your system settings or messing with the registry. It’s always better to play it safe.

Concluding thoughts

If you’ve tried everything and still have issues, it might be your monitor itself causing trouble. Not every monitor plays nice with every setup, especially with how fast tech changes. Older monitors or ones starting to give up the ghost can bring up weird problems that are tough to nail down. Make sure your monitor is not just compatible with your setup but also in good working order to dodge these issues.