Extended monitors do not work

[Kathleen_Hunt]

After updating my drivers, my extended monitors do not work. Help please

[bjm]

@Kathleen_Hunt

Extended monitors do not work
After updating my drivers, my extended monitors do not work. Help please

Hello @Kathleen_Hunt
~ updating drivers was via Norton Driver Updater?

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Restore your hardware driver to previous version

Update your hardware drivers to the latest version with Norton Driver Updater
FAQ: Norton Driver Updater
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Fix Norton Driver Updater product errors

Norton Community users urge caution using Norton Driver Updater

This is a known issue where Norton Driver Updater installs an incompatible or incorrect graphics driver, breaking multi-monitor support.

Immediate Solution: Roll Back the Driver

Since the issue occurred immediately after the update, you should revert to the previous driver version.

Option 1: Use Norton’s Restore Feature If you can still access the application:

1. Open Norton Driver Updater .
2. Click Solve now and select the Display or Graphics hardware tile.
3. Filter by Last updated to find the recent change.
4. Select the driver and choose Restore or Revert to the previous version.

• Note: This only works if the driver was updated by Norton and a backup exists.

Option 2: Use Windows Device Manager (Recommended) If Norton cannot fix it or the app is inaccessible:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager .
2. Expand Display adapters .
3. Right-click your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and select Properties .
4. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver .

• If this button is grayed out, proceed to Option 3.

Option 3: System Restore If rolling back the driver fails, revert your entire system to a point before the update:

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter .
2. Select a restore point dated before you ran the Norton update.
3. Follow the prompts to restart and restore the system.

Permanent Fix

Once your monitors are working again:

• Uninstall Norton Driver Updater: It is documented to cause display failures and system instability.
• Update Drivers Manually: Download graphics drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) or use Windows Update, which provides more stable and verified drivers for extended display setups.

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Norton Driver Updater is criticized for inaccurate reporting, system instability, and aggressive monetization tactics.

False Positives and Scam Allegations Users frequently report that the tool incorrectly identifies drivers as outdated or vulnerable when Windows Device Manager and official manufacturer sources confirm they are already current. This discrepancy leads many to view the feature as a scam designed to pressure users into purchasing a subscription for updates that are unnecessary or already available for free.

System Damage and Instability There are numerous documented cases where the updater broke system functionality, including wiping audio drivers, causing blue screens of death (BSOD), preventing booting, or disabling security features like Microsoft Core Isolation. In severe instances, users have been forced to reset their drives or perform complete Windows reinstations to recover from the damage caused by incompatible or flawed driver updates.

Technical and Support Issues The software often suffers from application crashes, such as the “Well, this is embarrassing” error or unresponsive update buttons. Furthermore, customer support has been described as incompetent or unable to resolve the issues caused by the updater itself, with some users reporting that the tool blocks legitimate driver installations from other sources.

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[bjm]

Norton Community users urge caution using Norton Driver Updater

Cautionary Note: Before using tools like Norton Driver Updater, it is critical to create a system image backup and recovery media. Third-party driver updaters are frequently documented to install incompatible drivers that can render systems unbootable or break essential hardware functions (such as audio or display), making a full system restore the only viable recovery option.

Cautionary Note: Before using tools like Norton Driver Updater , creating a system image backup and recovery media is essential, but testing your recovery strategy is equally critical. Many users discover too late that their backups are corrupted, incomplete, or impossible to boot from when a driver update renders the system unbootable.

Why Testing is Non-Negotiable

• Verification of Integrity: A backup file is useless if it cannot be restored. Testing confirms that the system image is not corrupted and that the recovery media can successfully boot your specific hardware configuration.
• Familiarity with the Process: In a crisis (e.g., a black screen or boot loop), panic can lead to errors. Practicing the restore process ensures you know exactly which keys to press and which menu options to select to revert the system quickly.
• Driver-Specific Risks: Graphics driver updates from third-party tools are a leading cause of display failure and boot loops . If your primary display fails, you may need to rely entirely on blind navigation or recovery media; knowing your recovery path works beforehand is the only safety net.

Recommended Testing Protocol

1. Perform a “Dry Run” Boot: Insert your USB Recovery Media and restart your computer. Verify that it successfully loads the recovery environment (WinRE) without needing to complete a full restore. This confirms the USB is bootable.
2. Test Restore on a Non-Critical Machine (Ideal): If possible, restore your system image to a secondary drive or a different test machine to ensure the image deploys correctly and drivers function post-restore.
3. Validate File Accessibility: Mount the system image file (VHDX) in Windows Explorer to ensure you can see your files and that the backup completed fully.
4. Document the Steps: Write down the exact sequence to access your recovery environment (e.g., “Press F12 at boot,” or “Hold Shift while clicking Restart”) and keep it with your recovery media.

Final Pre-Update Checklist

• System Image Created: Verified on an external drive.
• Recovery Media Created: USB drive tested for bootability.
• Restore Point Created: Manual point named “Pre-Norton-Update.”
• Recovery Path Tested: Confirmed ability to access recovery options.
• Necessity Confirmed: Verified that Windows Update or the hardware manufacturer does not already provide the driver.

If you cannot successfully boot from your recovery media or restore a test image, do not proceed with using third-party driver updaters, as you may leave yourself with no path to recovery.

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[bjm]

Norton Community users urge caution using Norton Driver Updater

Norton’s Restore Feature may fail or is unavailable when you need it most. Relying on it as your primary safety net is risky due to several documented limitations.

Why Norton’s Restore Feature Fails

• Restricted Scope: The tool only allows reverting drivers that were previously updated by Norton itself . If the driver was originally installed by Windows Update, the manufacturer, or another source, the “Revert” button will be grayed out or missing entirely.
• “Unable to Resolve” Errors: Even when a revert is attempted, users often encounter errors like “Unable to resolve detected issue” or “We can’t revert to this version,” leaving the incompatible driver active and the hardware broken.
• Backup Deletion: Norton may automatically delete older driver backups to save space based on its settings, meaning the specific version you need to restore to might no longer exist on your drive.
• Application Inaccessibility: If the driver update causes a crash, boot loop, or black screen (common with graphics drivers), you cannot open the Norton application to trigger the restore, rendering the feature useless.

Alternatives for Recovery

Because Norton’s internal restore may be unreliable, you must rely on Windows-native tools that operate independently of the Norton application:

1. Windows Device Manager Rollback:

• This is the most direct fix. Right-click the device > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver . This works even if Norton fails, provided Windows has the previous version cached.

2. Windows System Restore:

• Norton claims to create a restore point before updating, but these can be corrupted or missing. Always create your own manual Restore Point immediately before running Norton. Access this via rstrui in the Run dialog if the system is unstable.

3. System Image Recovery:

• As previously noted, if the system is unbootable, a System Image restored via Recovery Media is the only guaranteed method to return the PC to a working state, bypassing Norton’s broken software entirely.

Recommendation: Treat Norton’s “Revert” button as a secondary option at best. If your monitors are dead after an update, do not waste time troubleshooting Norton’s restore; immediately use Device Manager or boot from your Recovery Media to restore your pre-update System Image.

Windows “Roll Back Driver” often works for drivers updated by Norton Driver Updater , but it is not guaranteed and depends on how Norton performed the installation.

How It Works

When Norton updates a driver, it typically installs the new version over the existing one. If Windows retains the previous driver files in its cache (the DriverStore ), the Roll Back Driver button in Device Manager will be active.

• Success Scenario: You open Device Manager > Properties > Driver tab, and Roll Back Driver is clickable. This allows you to revert immediately without needing Norton.
• Failure Scenario: The button is grayed out . This happens if:
  1. Norton deleted the old driver files to save space.
  2. The update was a “clean install” that removed the previous version entirely.
  3. No previous driver version exists in the Windows cache.

Critical Limitation

Even if Windows Roll Back works, it only reverts to the immediately previous version . If Norton skipped versions or if the “previous” version was also flawed, this method may not resolve the instability. Furthermore, if the driver update caused a boot loop or black screen , you cannot access Device Manager to use this feature.

Recommended Action Plan

1. Check Device Manager First: If the button is available, use it. It is faster and independent of Norton.
2. If Grayed Out: Do not rely on Norton’s internal “Revert” feature, as it frequently fails with errors like “We can’t revert to this version.” Instead, immediately use System Restore to a point created before the update.
3. If Unbootable: Use your Recovery Media to restore the System Image you created prior to using Norton.

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[bjm]

Norton Community users urge caution using Norton Driver Updater

The Golden Rule: “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It”

The single most important best practice is do not update drivers unless necessary. Unlike security software, drivers do not need constant updating. If your hardware is functioning correctly, updating introduces unnecessary risk of instability, crashes, or feature loss. Only update when:

• You are experiencing a specific hardware issue (e.g., audio dropouts, Wi-Fi disconnects).
• A new game or application explicitly requires a newer version.
• A critical security vulnerability has been announced for your specific hardware.
• You need a specific new feature (common with GPU drivers).

Safe Update Hierarchy

When an update is required, follow this order of trust to ensure compatibility and stability:

1. Windows Update (Primary Source): Always check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates first. Microsoft certifies these drivers for stability and general compatibility with your specific system configuration.
2. OEM Manufacturer Tools (Laptops/Pre-builts): For laptops or branded desktops (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo), use the manufacturer’s official utility (e.g., Dell Command Update, Lenovo Vantage). These provide custom drivers tuned for your specific chassis, power management, and thermal profiles.
3. Component Manufacturer (Discrete Hardware): For custom-built PCs or specific components like graphics cards, download directly from the source:

• Graphics: Use NVIDIA GeForce Experience/App, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Arc Control.
• Chipset/Network: Visit the motherboard or component maker’s support page.
• Avoid: Never use third-party “driver updater” utilities (like Norton, DriverBooster, etc.) as they frequently install incorrect or generic drivers.

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Mandatory Pre-Update Protocol

Before installing any driver from a source other than Windows Update:

• Create a System Restore Point: Manually create a named restore point (e.g., “Pre-GPU-Update”) so you can instantly revert if the new driver causes issues.
• Download the “Known Good” Driver: Save the installer for your current working driver version on your desktop before installing the new one. If the update fails, you can reinstall the old version immediately without needing internet access.
• Disconnect Non-Essential Peripherals: Unplug unnecessary USB devices to prevent the installer from misidentifying hardware.

Post-Update Verification

• Restart Immediately: Always reboot after a driver installation to ensure all services load correctly.
• Test Critical Functions: Verify the specific function you intended to fix (e.g., check multi-monitor support, run a benchmark, test audio recording).
• Wait Before Updating Again: If a new driver causes issues, do not immediately jump to the next version. Revert to the previous stable version and wait for a subsequent release that addresses the bug.

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The Golden Rule: “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It”

“If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” is the foundational principle of driver maintenance. It means you should never update a driver simply because a newer version exists or a tool claims one is “outdated.”

Why This Rule Matters

• Stability Over Novelty: Drivers are low-level system software. A working driver provides stability; a new driver often introduces untested variables that can cause blue screens, hardware conflicts , or feature regressions (like your monitor issue).
• No Performance Gain: For most components (audio, chipset, network), newer drivers rarely offer noticeable performance improvements unless you are fixing a specific, documented bug.
• Risk vs. Reward: The risk of breaking a functioning system with a third-party updater like Norton Driver Updater far outweighs the theoretical benefit of having the “latest” version number.

The Only Valid Reasons to Update

Ignore “update available” notifications unless you meet one of these criteria:

1. You have a specific problem that the release notes say the new driver fixes.
2. A new game or application explicitly requires a newer driver version to run.
3. A critical security vulnerability has been disclosed for your specific hardware.
4. You need a new feature (common with graphics cards for new rendering technologies).

If your system is stable, do nothing. Your current driver is likely the most compatible one for your specific hardware configuration.

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[bjm]

Help Center – Norton Driver Updater – Trending articles
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-driver-updater/current/help-center