How to Fix ‘NVIDIA Control Panel Missing’

Don’t worry! It is a very common issue faced by NVIDIA Graphics card users. Sometimes, the users face the NVIDIA Control Panel Missing error in the Windows Control Panel or desktop context menu.

NVIDIA Control Panel Missing error can interfere with your work. But relax because we have an article right here to solve the NVIDIA Control Panel missing issue.

What is NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?

First of all, you need to understand what the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error is all about?

The NVIDIA Control Panel missing error is witnessed by NVIDIA Graphics card users. The NVIDIA Graphics card is used to modify definite graphics settings using the NVIDIA Control Panel. But at times you might face the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error making your task bothersome.

What Causes NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?

Solving any problem by its roots is the best solution. Thus, in order to solve the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error you need to understand the reason leading to such errors.

Some of the most prominent reasons behind the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error are as follows:

  • Recent Windows security update.
  • Graphics driver incompatibility.
  • Outdated graphics driver.
  • Corrupt NVIDIA services.
  • Over clocking of GPU, etc.

NVIDIA control panel helps in altering your graphics settings. It is a hardware control application developed by NVIDIA. Modifying your NVIDIA graphics preferences without the NVIDIA Control Panel is quite impossible.

What to do if the NVIDIA control panel is missing itself?

We have five quick methods worth trying to fix the NVIDIA Control Panel missing issue.

How to Fix NVIDIA Control Panel Missing Error?

Method 1: Uninstall & Reinstall the Graphics Driver

In case the NVIDIA GeForce Control Panel missing is occurring due to driver incompatibility, reinstalling the graphics card driver can be helpful.

Follow the Steps given below to uninstall and reinstall your NVIDIA graphics driver:

Step 1 – First of all, press the ‘windows’ key and ‘R’ together to open the run command dialog box.

Step 2 – Then, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ in the run command dialog box and press Enter.

Step 3 – The Device Manager will open up. Then, expand the ‘display adapters’ option.

Step 4 – Now, right-click on the ‘NVIDIA driver’ and choose ‘uninstall’ from the list of options.

Step 5 – Once the uninstalling is finished, restart your computer system.

Step 6 – Then, go to NVIDIA’s website to look for a graphics driver as per your requirement and install it.

Check for the NVIDIA control panel again. If you are still unable to locate it, try the next method.

Method 2: Unhide Your NVIDIA Control Panel

Sometimes, NVIDIA Control Panel of your system hides away while upgrading to the latest version. It may be hidden because of some incorrect modifications in the graphics settings by any software application. In this case, you need to unhide your NVIDIA control panel.

Follow the Steps given below to unhide NVIDIA control panel:

Step 1 – First of all, open the Control Panel manually from the start menu. You can also open the control panel using the run command dialog box.

Step 2 – Find View by in the control panel. In the category alongside choose ‘Large icons’.

Step 3 – Then, select ‘NVIDIA Control Panel’ from the list of options displayed.

Step 4 – Then, click on View or Desktop in the top.

Step 5 – From the drop down menu, select ‘Add Desktop Context Menu’.

Now, check for your NVIDIA control panel in the desktop context menu again. In case the NVIDIA control panel is still not visible, try the next method.

Method 3: Restart NVIDIA Services on Your System

If the error is occurring due to corrupt NVIDIA services in your system, restarting the NVIDIA services is the most prominent solution.

Follow the Steps given below to restart the NVIDIA services in your computer system:

Step 1 – First of all, press the ‘windows’ key and ‘R’ together to open the run command dialog box.

Step 2 – Then, type ‘services.msc’ in the run command dialog box and press Enter.

Step 3 – The Services tab in Task Manager will open up. Then, find the ‘Open Services’ option and click on it.

Step 4 – Then, right click on ‘service’ and choose ‘properties’ from the drop down menu.

Step 5 – Then, go to the startup type and choose it to be ‘automatic’ if it’s not.

Step 6 – Then, click on the ‘Stop’ button to stop the service and wait for a few minutes.

Step 7 – After that, click on ‘Start’ and confirm the dialog boxes which may be noticeable.

Check for the NVIDIA control panel again. In case the issue still persists try the next method.

Method 4: Update Graphics Driver of Your System

The improper or outdated graphics driver can be the reason behind the NVIDIA GeForce Control Panel missing issue. In this case, you must ensure that the graphics adapter has the appropriate driver and is well updated.

You can easily find the correct graphics card driver from the NVIDIA’s Driver Downloads page. Download and install the most suitable and updated driver manually.

If the NVIDIA GeForce control panel is still missing try the next method.

Method 5: Do Not Over Clock Your GPU

Over clocking your GPU is another possible reason behind the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error. Over clocking is a phenomenon where you change the frequency and speed of your processor above the factory settings which gives your system a remarkable boost up.

However, make sure to be careful with the process as it may end up burning the entire computer system. If you revert back the initial over clocking the issue may be solved. However, changing your GPU’s rate and frequency to its normal state depends on the software used to over clock in the first place. So, make sure to choose accordingly.

Final Words

Hopefully, one of the five methods mentioned above were able to solve the NVIDIA Control Panel missing error and you were able to find the CPanel again.