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[Solved] How Do I Fix Sideways Screen Problem by Changing Desktop Display Orientation in Windows and Mac

When you plugged in or detached external monitor, Windows desktop is showing sideways positioned in portrait mode while your screen is in landscape / horizontal view. You can’t even read the text without tilting your head or turning your display on its side. Changing desktop orientation able to resolve sideways screen problem.

Content Summary

Change desktop orientation in Windows
Rotate Screen with Keyboard Shortcut in Windows
Change desktop orientation in Mac

Change desktop orientation in Windows

Step 1: Open Control Panel on the PC.

Step 2: Search Display in the top right text field. Click Display.

Step 3: Click Change display settings on the left hand side of the window.

Step 4: Select the dropdown arrow beside Orientation to select one of the options below:

  • Landscape
  • Portrait
  • Landscape (Flipped)
  • Portrait (Flipped)
Change display's orientation in Windows

Change display’s orientation in Windows

Rotate Screen with Keyboard Shortcut in Windows

Press CTRL + ALT + Up Arrow and your Windows desktop should return to landscape mode. You can rotate the screen to portrait or upside-down landscape, by Pressing CTRL + ALT + Left Arrow, Right Arrow or Down arrow.

Change desktop orientation in Mac

Step 1: Launch System Preferences.

Step 2: Hold down Command + Option keys together and click on Display icon.

Step 3: Click on the Rotation drop-down menu and then select the desired degree of rotation.

Change desktop orientation in Mac

Change desktop orientation in Mac

Step 4: You will have 15 seconds to click Confirm to accept or Revert to cancel. If you do not select anything within 15 seconds, the screen will revert to its normal, upright position after 15 seconds.

Confirm or revert screen orientation

Confirm or revert screen orientation

Alex Lim is a certified IT Technical Support Architect with over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex IT systems and networks. He has worked for leading IT companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco, providing technical support and solutions to clients across various industries and sectors. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and a master’s degree in information security from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also the author of several best-selling books on IT technical support, such as The IT Technical Support Handbook and Troubleshooting IT Systems and Networks. Alex lives in Bandar, Johore, Malaysia with his wife and two chilrdren. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Website | Twitter | Facebook

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