How to rotate screen on Windows 10

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Want to work in portrait mode, or someone played you a prank setting the screen upside down? In this guide, we'll show you four ways to rotate the screen on Windows 10.

Windows 10 rotate screen
Windows 10 rotate screen (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 10, the ability to rotate the screen can come in handy in many scenarios. For instance, if you're a programmer using an external monitor, turning the screen to portrait mode can improve efficiency when viewing code. If you're using a tablet, switching the orientation of the screen can be a better way to read a book or document. You can even flip the screen upside down to play a prank to a friend, or to return to landscape mode after accidentally invoking the rotate shortcut.

Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 10 includes multiple ways to rotate the screen in landscape, portrait, or flipped mode using the Settings app and keyboard shortcuts, or through the vendor graphics control panel software.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the different methods to rotate the screen on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

How to rotate screen using Settings

To rotate the screen with the Settings app, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Display.
  4. Under the "Rearrange your displays" section, select the screen that you want to rotate (if applicable).
  5. Under the "Scale and layout" section, use the Display orientation drop-down menu to select one of the orientation:
    • Landscape.
    • Portrait.
    • Landscape (flipped).
    • Portrait (flipped).

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Rotate the monitor as needed to the orientation you selected.
  2. Click the Keep changes button.

Once you complete the steps, the display will change to your preferred orientation.

If the rotation option is grayed out, or the keyboard shortcuts aren't working, you may need to update the video drivers. In the case that you need assistance, you can use refer to these instructions.

How to rotate screen using keyboard shortcut

Alternatively, if your tablet, laptop, or desktop supports it, you can also use keyboard shortcuts to rotate the screen on Windows 10:

Important: This option may only work with some graphics cards. If it's not working for you, then use the Settings app option.

  • Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow – rotates to landscape mode.
  • Ctrl + Alt + Down arrow – rotates the screen upside down.
  • Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow – rotates the screen 90 degrees (right).
  • Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow – rotates the screen 90 degrees (left).

To return to the normal orientation, use the Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow keyboard shortcut.

How to rotate screen using graphics control panel

Whether you use a graphics card from Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD, each vendor offers a control panel software to control various aspects of the video settings, including an option to rotate the screen.

To rotate the screen using the NVIDIA Control Panel, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on Hardware and Sound.
  3. Click on NVIDIA Control Panel.
  4. Under the "Display" section, click on Rotate display.
  5. Select the display (if applicable).
  6. Choose the orientation (or use the controls on the right).

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Rotate the monitor as needed to the orientation you selected.

Once you complete the steps, the screen will switch to the orientation you specified.

We're focusing these instructions for the control panel from NVIDIA, but you can find similar options in the control panel provided by Intel and AMD.

How to rotate screen disabling rotation lock on Windows 10

If you're using a tablet or 2-in-1 device, and rotating the device doesn't rotate the screen, you may need to change the system settings.

To disable rotation lock on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Display.
  4. Under the "Scale and layout" section, turn off the Rotation lock option.Quick tip: This option is only available on supported devices.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Rotate the device to change the orientation of the screen.

Alternatively, you can also enable or disable the feature from the Quick action settings on Action center (Windows key + A keyboard shortcut), and clicking the Rotation lock button.

In the case that the option is grayed out, then it's likely that you have a keyboard attached to the device.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.