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Set up your Resolution and Refresh rate on your Shadow PC

Updated 

3 months ago

As of version v4.10.43, Shadow can automatically detect your display's screen resolution and frame rate. Shadow will also suggest new display settings and allow you to manually change these settings from the Quick Menu.

Use this article to see more about Shadow's automatic resolution settings and how to change the resolution and frame rate.

Automatic Resolution Settings

Automatic Resolution (fit to screen) is only available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android apps.

📝 Note: Shadow Ghost and Shadow Box will automatically apply the maximum screen resolution by default.

When starting Shadow, the application will automatically detect and adjust the resolution and frame rate settings best suited to your display.

For example, if your screen's resolution is 1920x1080, Shadow will stream at the same resolution.

If your computer is connected to multiple screens, Shadow will automatically suggest new settings when the window is moved to a new display. Click Match Local Display to apply suggestions from Shadow.

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​Custom Resolution Settings

Creating a custom resolution can be used to rectify a resolution mismatch with your screen.

We recommend having a look at our options below to set up a custom resolution.

If you try an option and it does not solve your issue, we invite you to test the other options below.

Note: If you have a screen capable of displaying an image refresh rate of up to 144hz, know that Shadow is compatible with this mode. This article will tell you how to configure it correctly.

🚨 Warning:

  • By default, if your resolution is higher than 1080p, we recommend using a 60Hz refresh rate.

    Your Shadow PC might not support all custom resolution depending on your OS and local device.

    We invite you to see our article "Shadow PC FPS Limitations" for more details about the maximum refresh rate you can set up.

  • Do not change your resolution or frame rate while playing games, streaming, or running other applications that use independent resolution settings. Close any applications before making changes.

  • Using the NVIDIA Control Panel to create custom resolutions on Shadow is not recommended and may cause major issues due to a recent Nvidia software update. More specifically, we noted that a customized resolution of 2560 x 1440 @ 144 FPS prevents Shadow from working properly. We strongly recommend using the preconfigured resolutions in the NVIDIA Control Panel or Windows Settings.

Option 1: via the Quick Menu

We recommend to use the Quick Menu if you are using one of the Desktop apps (Windows, macOS or Linux).

Note: This option is only available for the desktop apps.

If you have another application such as a mobile app, we suggest looking at the other options below.

Note: If you decide to choose your own resolution, you'll have to manually change the resolution via a pop-up window every time Shadow detects a new screen.

To use a custom resolution, disable the "Always match Shadow resolution with local display" option on the "Video & display" tab from your quick menu.

A pop-up window will appear and let you choose your resolution, frame rate and scaling.

Click Apply to confirm your choices.

To open the Quick Menu, start Shadow PC and click the Shadow PC icon at the top of the screen.

If you can't see the icon, the Quick Menu is disabled or incompatible with this device. Try using keyboard shortcuts to use Quick Menu commands.

Learn more about the Quick Menu.

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Option 2: via the Windows Settings

To do this, right-click the Windows desktop and click Display settings.

Once in the settings, select the desired resolution from the drop-down menu and then click Keep to save your choice.

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Option 3: via the Adapter properties

Right-click on your desktop, then click Display settings. As shown in the image below, click Advanced display settings then in the following window under Display information, go to Display adapter settings for Display 1. Click List All Modes, then your desired resolution before confirming your selection by clicking OK. Click Apply in the previous window to save your settings.

If you are unable to change the resolution, whether you are stuck at a resolution of 800 x 600 or the graphics card is disabled, the following will likely resolve the problem:

  1. Right-click the Start menu at the bottom left of the screen

  2. Click Device Manager

  3. Double-click Graphics cards

  4. Right-click the NVIDIA graphics card, then click Enable

  5. Shut down and restart your Shadow

  6. Change the resolution according to the instructions above

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Option 4: via the NVIDIA Control Panel (Preconfigured Resolution)

Follow these instructions to choose from a list of resolution and refresh rate options in the NVIDIA Control Panel.

      1. Right-click the Shadow desktop, then click NVIDIA Control Panel.

        NVIDIA_Control_Panel.png

        If the NVIDIA Control Panel is not listed, update the graphics drivers.

      2. Under Display, click Change Resolution.

      3. Use the list of options provided to choose your resolution and refresh rate.

        NVIDIA_Control_Panel_Window.png

If the NVIDIA Control Panel does not allow you to choose your desired resolution or refresh rate, create a custom resolution below.

Option 5: via the NVIDIA Control Panel (Custom Resolution)

Follow these instructions to create your own resolution and refresh rate.

      1. From the NVIDIA Control Panel under Change Resolution, click Customize....

        mceclip0.png

        💡 Tip: Trouble clicking the Customize... button? Try choosing a resolution or refresh rate from the list above to continue.

      2. On the next window, click Create Custom Resolution....

        mceclip1.png

      3. Under the Resolution settings, change the:

        1. Horizontal pixels

        2. Vertical lines

        3. Refresh rate

        4. Standard (set to CVT reduced blank)

          Custom_Resolution.png

      4. Click Test at the bottom of the window.

      5. If the test is successful, click Yes to apply these changes.

        mceclip6.png

        If the test was not successful, your settings may not be compatible with your current setup.

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Disable your Custom Resolution

Option 1: Via the Quick Menu

To disable your custom resolution, enable the "Always match Shadow resolution with local display" option on the "Video & display" tab from your quick menu.

Note: This option is only available for the desktop apps.

To open the Quick Menu, start Shadow PC and click the Shadow PC icon at the top of the screen.

If you can't see the icon, the Quick Menu is disabled or incompatible with this device. Try using keyboard shortcuts to use Quick Menu commands.

Learn more about the Quick Menu.

Option 2: On the launcher (Display Safe Mod)

On your launcher, click the Help icon then click the Display Safe Mode button in order to start your Shadow PC without a custom resolution.

Still have questions after reading this article?

Check out our other articles or contact Shadow Support.

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