How To Fix Nvidia Control Panel Won’t Open Issue

The Nvidia control panel is a software that is usually installed when you install the Nvidia graphics driver on your Windows 10 computer. It is a tool that allows you to make tweaks on your graphics settings to make games look better or run at a  much faster frame rate. Although this is a solid performing software there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Nvidia control panel won’t open issue.

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How To Fix Nvidia Control Panel Won’t Open Issue

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

There are several factors that can cause this problem ranging from a corrupted driver to missing files. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this.

Reinstall the graphics driver

The first thing you will need to do is to reinstall the graphics driver as the problem is usually caused by corrupt files.

  • Press the Windows + R keys then type devmgmt.msc. This will open the Device Management Console.
  • In the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters then right-click on your NVIDIA Adapter under this category and click Uninstall and check Delete the driver software for this device, and then OK to remove the drivers.
  • Visit the NVIDIA Driver page and search for your graphics card drivers under the Option 1: Manually find drivers. You have to provide your graphics card type, OS, and other relevant information and then click the Search After you are provided with the latest driver for your card, download it.
  • Go to the download location of the driver and launch the installer. While installing, select Custom Options, and select Clean Install. This will further wipe previous installations and install the latest working version.
  • Restart your computer.

Check if the Nvidia control panel won’t open issue still occurs.

Turn on the NVIDIA Display Driver Service

  • Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the run prompt. 
  • Type services.msc and hit Enter to open the Services console.
  • In the Services window, search for NVIDIA Display Driver Service and double-click it. Set the Startup type to Automatic and then start the service if it’s been stopped.
  • Repeat this for other NVIDIA-related services.

Check if the Nvidia control panel won’t open issue still occurs.

Restart the NVIDIA Control Panel Process

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to launch the Task Manager
  • Click on More details and select the Processes Under this tab, search for the NVIDIA Control Panel Process called nviplui.exe. Right-click on it and select End Task.
  • Try this for other NVIDIA processes.
  • Head over to your Desktop or Start Menu and launch the control panel again. 

Check if the Nvidia control panel won’t open issue still occurs.

Registry fix

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run prompt.
  • Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. If you’re asked to grant access via a UAC prompt, accept Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\ContextMenuHandler
  • Locate NvCplDesktopContext, right-click on it and select Delete.
  • Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell.
  • Right-click on Shell and add a New > Key with the name Nvidia Control Panel.
  • Right-click on Nvidia Control Panel and add a New > Key with the name command.
  • Double-click on the default value, provide the key C:\Windows\System32\nvcplui.exe and click OK.
  • Restart the computer.

Check if the Nvidia control panel won’t open issue still occurs.

Update the .NET Framework and VC++ Redistributable

Nvidia requires these two applications in order for it to run without any issues. Run a Windows update by pressing the Start button, typing Windows Updates and pressing Enter and finally clicking Search for Updates. If an update is available for the .NET framework and VC++ redistributable then it will be downloaded and installed.

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