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Nvidia Control Panel is not Opening: How to Manually Force it

Give a try to these quick methods now

9 min. read

Updated onOctober 19, 2023

updated onOctober 19, 2023

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Many users reported that they can’t open the NVIDIA Control Panel on their PC. This can be a problem, especially if you want to fine-tune your graphics card settings.

The app is used to customize your graphics card settings and much more, depending on your graphics card.

We’re going to show you a lot of solutions to fix the NVIDIA Control Panel not opening issue, but let’s see why this problem occurs in the first place.

Why can’t I open the NVIDIA Control Panel?

The NVIDIA Control Panel app only works on PCs with NVIDIA graphics cards so if you changed your hardware configuration, you won’t be able to run it any longer.

You will get an error like the one above. However, that can also happen if your graphics card is malfunctioning or disconnected.

Or, if you made recent modifications,the NVIDIA driver might not be compatible with your Windows version.

Switching on the software side, the main reason why the NVIDIA Control Panel app isn’t working involves malfunctioning drivers, Windows updates, and services not working properly.

Of course, there are other reasons like the antivirus blocking the app and the Fast Boot option interference, but these are less frequent.

As with any problem in Windows, this one has its share of representations. Here are some similar problems that our readers reported:

Why does NVIDIA Control Panel closes after opening?

If you have issues opening this app, it’s possible thatNvidia driver keeps crashingin the background. To fix the issue, you might have to reinstall the driver.

A few users reported thatNvidia Control panel shows only 3D settings, and this can appear if the software is damaged, so reinstalling it might be the best option.

It’s not unusual forNvidia Control Panel to not be opening, but luckily, we have a couple of solutions that will help you fix this problem.

How do I fix Nvidia Control Panel not opening?

1. Update your drivers

If you can’t open NVIDIA Control Panel on your PC, the problem might be your drivers. They could be out of date, and that causes various errors to appear.

To fix the issue, it’s advised that you update your NVIDIA drivers. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your graphics card. Install them on your PC, and the problem should be resolved.

OutByte

2. Update Windows

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background and installed as soon as you restart your PC.

Once your system and drivers are up to date, the problem should be resolved completely.

3. End NVIDIA Display Container process

4. Disable the antivirus temporarily

According to our readers, a common problem with applications can be your antivirus. Sometimes, you can’t open NVIDIA Control Panel because your antivirus interferes with it.

To fix the problem, it’s advised to check your antivirus settings and make sure that your antivirus isn’t blocking this app.

If that’s not the issue, try disabling certain antivirus features and check if that helps. In addition, you can also try disabling your antivirus altogether and check if that changes things.

The worst cases scenario is where you need to remove your antivirus completely. Some of our readers reported that AVG antivirus caused this issue to appear, but after removing it the problem was resolved.

Even if you don’t use AVG, you can try removing your antivirus and check if that solves the issue. In this case, you should consider switching to a different antivirus solution.

There are many greatantivirus toolson the market, but if you want maximum protection and one that won’t interfere with your system, you should consider using an antivirus that is most compatible with the OS.

5. Make sure that the necessary services are running

6. Start the application directly from the installation directory

1.Press theWindowskey +Eto openFile Explorer.

2.Go to the following folder:C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Control Panel Client

3.Locate thenvcplui.exefile.

Double-click on it to launch it.After doing that, the NVIDIA Control Panel should start without any problems.

5.If you want, you can create a shortcut of this application on your desktop and use it to quickly start it from there.

You may also force NVIDIA Control Panel to start automatically with your system. To do that, you just need to create a shortcut of the NVIDIA Control Panel and put it in the following directory:C:\Program\Data\Microsoft/Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

If you cannot open Nvidia Control Panel with the traditional methods, then you should start the app directly from its application directory.

For quicker access, you can create a desktop shortcut for the application, or add it to your Startup programs so that it opens as soon as you boot your PC.

7. Disable the Fast Boot option in Windows 10

After doing that, the Fast Boot option should be disabled completely. Bear in mind that your system will start a bit slower than before, but the problem with NVIDIA Control Panel should be resolved.

8. Reinstall the driver from NVIDIA GeForce Experience

9. Make sure that NVIDIA Control Panel isn’t hidden

After doing that, you should see NVIDIA Control Panel in yourTaskbarand in your context menu.

Sometimes, you can’t open the NVIDIA Control Panel simply because it’s hidden. Specific software or Windows update can hide it.

10. NVIDIA Control Panel not opening in Windows 11

Believe it or not, this issue also has appeared on Windows 11. All the solutions we described for Windows 10 above can also be applied to the new OS.

However, we will still show you the solution to the most common problem our readers encounter, caused by the NVIDIA Control Panel service not working.

If you still have problems opening the NVIDIA Control Panel, just go ahead and apply the solutions presented for Windows 10 above.

How to reinstall NVIDIA Control Panel?

Not being able to open NVIDIA Control Panel can be a big problem, especially if you want to fine-tune your graphics card.

If this issue occurred after you installed a new Windows update, just roll it back to restore things back to normal.

For more information, we also have anexcellent guideon how to install graphics card drivers that might help you further.

The problem with the Nvidia Control Panel is often followed byYou are not currently using a display attached to an Nvidia GPUmessage, but we covered that issue in a separate guide.

However, we hope you solved this issue by using one of our solutions, and now it works flawlessly.

Don’t hesitate to access the comments section below for more questions or suggestions. We’re eager to hear from you.

Nvidia Control Panel is not Opening: How to Manually Force it#

How do I fix Nvidia Control Panel not opening?#

1. Update your drivers#

OutByte#

2. Update Windows#

3. End NVIDIA Display Container process#

4. Disable the antivirus temporarily#

5. Make sure that the necessary services are running#

6. Start the application directly from the installation directory#

7. Disable the Fast Boot option in Windows 10#

8. Reinstall the driver from NVIDIA GeForce Experience#

9. Make sure that NVIDIA Control Panel isn’t hidden#

10. NVIDIA Control Panel not opening in Windows 11#

How to reinstall NVIDIA Control Panel?#