NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error in Windows 10

A lot of users nowadays need NVIDIA Graphics Adapter as a large proportion of users work on graphics. Hence, with its in-demand usage also comes a very pestering error that annoys the users. The error is when the NVIDIA Control Panel gets missing. If the NVIDIA Control Panel is not visible on the Windows Control Panel or desktop context menu, then this causes panic and irritation in the user, but like all the other type of errors, this one is also solvable.

What is NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?

Those users who have NVIDIA Graphics Card installed in their computer system can modify specific graphics settings by using the NVIDIA Control Panel. But at times, it can be observed that the NVIDIA Control Panel gets missing, which creates a massive problem for the users, restricting them from modifying graphics settings.

There are specific ways through which you can resolve this issue and gets their NVIDIA Control Panel back on their computer screen. However, some of these methods might appear complicated and long. Therefore, here we present you some easy to implement methods which can yield desirable results.

Why NVIDIA Control Panel is Missing?

The main reason that causes NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error is the most recent Windows Security Update. Technically, NVIDIA developed the NVIDIA Control Panel application. Whenever NVIDIA video card driver is installed in your computer system, then a control panel automatically appears with the driver, which provides the user with an interface to adjust and modify your graphics settings.

This modification is not possible without the NVIDIA Control Panel. Hence, if the NVIDIA Control Panel gets missing in your computer system, then you need to find out a way to get it back.

Fix: NVIDIA Control Panel Missing, Not Showing Up

There are many ways through which you can resolve the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error. Some of the best ways are listed below for your convenience.

Fix #1: Uninstall & Reinstall the Graphics Driver

One of the causes of the error can be that your driver might not be compatible with your system. If that is the case, then you should uninstall your current driver and then from the official website of NVIDIA you can install the suitable driver for your computer system manually.

The steps for the same are mentioned below.

Step 1: At first, simultaneously click Windows key + R which will open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Next, in the dialog box type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and then click Enter. It will redirect you to the Device Manager.

Step 3: In the Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters option.

Step 4: Now, in Display Adapters navigate to the NVIDIA driver and right-click on it.

Step 5: Next, click on Uninstall to uninstall the driver.

At last, restart your computer system and then install the suitable driver from the NVIDIA website.

Fix #2: Unhide Your NVIDIA Control Panel

If the method mentioned above does not work for you, then it might be because there was nothing wrong with your driver. The reason behind the error could be that your NVIDIA Control Panel might got hidden when it was getting upgraded to the latest version or due to a software application that has wrongly modified the graphics settings.

In that case, follow and implement the following steps:

Step 1: Firstly, open Control Panel.

Step 2: In the Control Panel, at the top right corner, you will find View by. Form view by choosing Large Icons.

Step 3: Next, select NVIDIA Control Panel.

Step 4: From that, either click on View or Desktop whichever is present and then search Add Desktop Context Menu.

Step 5: Finally, right-click on your Desktop to see if the Add Desktop Context Menu appears again.

Fix #3: Restart NVIDIA Services on Your System

Along with the reasons mentioned above, there is one more reason due to which NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error can arise. NVIDIA Control Panel Missing error can also occur if your NVIDIA services in your system are corrupt. The easiest way to this problem is to restart your computer system without actually dealing with the cause of the error.

Step 1: Firstly, to open Run dialog box together press Windows key + R.

Step 2: When the dialog box appears, type ‘services.msc’ in the provided space and then hit OK.

Step 3: The above step will redirect you to the Services Tab in the Task Manger. Now, click on Open Services which you can find below the Windows and pops next to the gears icon.

Step 4: Next, right-click on the Services and form the mentioned options select Properties.

Step 5: Afterward, in the properties tab, move to the Startup type. Set the Startup Type to ‘Automatic’ if it is not already set.

Step 6: Next, press the Stop button to stop the services for a few minutes. After a few minutes, press the Start button and confirm the dialog boxes which may follow.

Step 7: Finally, check if the Control Panel issue has been resolved or not.

Fix #4: Update Graphics Driver of Your System

Sometimes, NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error appears due to the reason that either you are using an improper graphics driver or your graphics driver is outdated. In short, that means your graphics adapter does not have an appropriate driver, and if that is the reason, then you should update it immediately.

To update your graphics driver, you can go to the official website of NVIDIA and from that go to the Driver Download Page to find the suitable driver for your computer system. Once you have found the correct driver, download and install it on your computer system.

Moreover, you also need to check whether linear actuators are working fine for your computer system or not.

Fix #5: Don’t Overclock Your GPU

You must be familiar with the Overclocking of GPU, and if not, overclocking is a phenomenon where the user changes the frequency and speed of the processor to a higher value above the factory setting. With this, the system gets a great boost in the speed but doing this can also set your system to flames due to overuse or carelessness.

Along with that, this can also be the reason of the NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error. If this the case, then the best possible solution is to set your GPU’s rate and frequency to its normal state. You can do this by using the same software that you used to overclock in the first place.

NVIDIA provides its own application for the user to download and use to overclock GPU. There are also various other software to download and use.

Final Words

All the methods mentioned in this article are efficient and ideal to solve the issue that refrains you from modifying your graphics settings according to your will. You can implement any suitable method mentioned above. Do remember that before attempting any one method, go through the whole article carefully and choose the most suitable one.