2nd extermal monitor resolution changed automatically and won't change back

[Secguru]

2nd external monitor changed resolution from 1920x1080 to 1280x1024. I cannot get it to change back

[WAWood]

@Secguru 

Presuming the second external is a flat panel, those have a built-in menu system known as an On Screen Display (OSD).

You have to find the key that brings that up and go into the resolution settings and see what can be changed.

This varies by make and model monitor, so you should do an  online search for information if you don't know how to bring up the OSD for your monitor.

[Secguru]

Thanks Mr. Wood.  Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with monitor settings.  The situation follows the computer's port, not the monitor.  Switching the 2 moniitors confirms that.  The problem was solved by switching from USB-C > VGA adapter to USB-C > HDMI adapter on the USB-C port.  The monitor confirmed presence of HDMI signal and adapted itself to 1920x1080 resolution.

[Secguru]

Additionally, as a footnote.  I don't know why this problem appeared.  The monitor had been displaying 1920x1080 on USB-C > VGA adapter since first hooked up.  

The problem appeared one morning after lighting the laptop up from hibernation.  I was unable to change any configuration to resolve this, as the maximum resolution displayed for that monitor had changed from 1920x1080 to 1280x800, and offered no higher resolution option from the Omen NVidia adapter.  Through all this time, the other monitor continued displaying 1920x1080 on the Omen's HDMI port.

Very curious.

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Secguru 

Most likely, it's the USB-to-VGA adapter -- as I am using one, too, and it does the same thing from time to time.

I disconnect the monitor, reboot the PC, shutdown the PC, reconnect the monitor, and reboot the PC -- and more often than not, the resolution resets itself properlyy.

Also, the provider of the adapter comes out with new video drivers every few weeks.  So you should check to see if there are newer drivers for your adapter.

[Secguru]

Thanks for your kind help.