Black Screen on Your PC? Fix It Step by Step

Screen stuck sideways is usually a settings issue, not a hardware failure. Start with your operating system’s display orientation setting, then only dig into graphics tools if you need shortcuts or per-monitor controls.

Windows 11 and Windows 10

Quick fix: change Display orientation

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System → Display.
3. Find Display orientation.
4. Choose Landscape to get back to normal, or Portrait for vertical.
5. Click Keep changes when prompted.

If you’re rotating an external monitor, rotate the monitor physically too so the image matches the screen.

Keyboard shortcut (if it works on your PC)

Some Windows PCs still support Ctrl + Alt + Arrow keys to rotate the screen. If nothing happens, skip it and use the Windows Settings method above.

Rotate one monitor in a multi-monitor setup

If you only want your second monitor vertical, select the right display first.

1. Settings → System → Display.
2. At the top, click the monitor you want to change (the rectangle highlights).
3. Change Display orientation for that monitor.
4. Confirm with Keep changes.

If your mouse feels “sideways” for a moment, that’s expected. Orientation changes the pointer direction until you get used to it.

Portrait looks wrong: fix scale and resolution

After rotating, text can look tiny or cramped.

1. Settings → System → Display.
2. Adjust Scale (start with the recommended value).
3. Re-check Display resolution and pick the native resolution for the monitor.

If shortcuts don’t work: check your graphics tools

Hotkeys and rotation options can be controlled by your graphics driver. Use this section when you want hotkeys back, or you prefer changing rotation in the GPU app.

NVIDIA Control Panel

1. Right-click the desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Open Display → Rotate display.
3. Choose the monitor, pick the orientation, and apply.

AMD Software

If you want rotation hotkeys on AMD, you typically need to enable display hotkeys inside AMD Software.

1. Open AMD Software.
2. Go to Settings → Hotkeys.
3. Enable Use Hotkeys and Use Display Hotkeys (names can vary slightly by version).

If you don’t care about hotkeys, Windows Settings is still the fastest way to rotate.

Intel graphics

On many Intel systems, the classic rotation hotkey isn’t available by default.

1. Open Intel Graphics Command Center.
2. Look under System → Hotkeys.
3. Enable hotkeys if the option is present.

If you can’t find hotkeys, use Windows Settings. It works on every Windows PC.

2-in-1 laptops: rotation lock

If your screen keeps snapping back, rotation lock is the first thing to check. Turn it off, set the orientation again, and confirm.

macOS

Rotation is usually available for supported external displays.

1. Open the Apple menu → System Settings.
2. Click Displays.
3. Next to Rotation, choose the angle.
4. Click Confirm.

If you don’t see Rotation, the connected display may not expose a rotation setting to macOS.

Chromebook

Shortcut

Press Ctrl + Shift + Refresh to rotate the screen 90 degrees. Press it again to keep rotating.

If you need the Settings path

Open Settings, then look for Device → Displays and choose an orientation.

Troubleshooting

My screen is upside down and I can’t read the menus

Try Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow first (if your PC supports it). If it doesn’t, open Settings with Windows + I, then go to System → Display and set orientation back to Landscape.

Windows asks to confirm and the screen looks wrong

Don’t guess. If you’re unsure, wait a few seconds. Windows usually reverts automatically if you don’t click Keep changes.

It keeps rotating back

On 2-in-1 devices, rotation lock or tablet mode can override your choice. On desktops, a graphics utility can also take over. Pick one place to manage rotation (Windows Settings is simplest) and stick with it.

FAQ

What’s the safest way to rotate your computer screen on Windows?

Use Settings → System → Display → Display orientation. It works whether you have Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA graphics.

Why doesn’t Ctrl + Alt + Arrow rotate my screen?

Many systems disable or remove that hotkey. If you need it, check AMD Software or Intel Graphics Command Center for a hotkey toggle. Otherwise, use Windows Display orientation.

Can I rotate only my second monitor?

Yes. In Windows Display settings, click the correct monitor rectangle first, then change Display orientation for that monitor only.

Why does my portrait monitor look zoomed or cramped?

Rotation often changes what scaling feels comfortable. Adjust Scale and confirm your monitor is still set to its native Display resolution.

How do I rotate a screen on a Mac?

Go to System Settings → Displays → Rotation, choose an angle, then confirm. Rotation typically appears for supported external displays.

How do I rotate a Chromebook screen back to normal?

Press Ctrl + Shift + Refresh until you’re back to the orientation you want. If you see a prompt the first time, accept it.