To flip or rotate your screen on Windows 10, right-click the desktop, choose Display settings, and change Display orientation to Landscape, Portrait, Landscape (flipped), or Portrait (flipped). Click Keep changes to confirm. On many PCs with Intel graphics, you can also press Ctrl + Alt + Arrow key. For example, Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow puts an upside-down screen back to normal.
Method 1: Display settings (works on every PC)
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Display settings. Or go to Settings > System > Display.
- If you have more than one monitor, click the one you want to change at the top.
- Under Display orientation, choose an option:
- Landscape: Normal.
- Portrait: Rotated 90° for a vertical monitor.
- Landscape (flipped): Upside down.
- Portrait (flipped): Vertical, rotated the other way.
- Click Keep changes. If you don’t, Windows switches back after 15 seconds.
If your screen is upside down, the mouse moves in the opposite direction, which makes this tricky. Move slowly, or use the keyboard: press Windows, type display settings, press Enter, and use Tab and the arrow keys to reach Display orientation.
Method 2: Keyboard shortcut (Intel graphics)
| Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow | Normal (landscape) |
| Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow | Upside down |
| Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow | Rotated 90° left |
| Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow | Rotated 90° right |
These shortcuts come from Intel’s graphics software, and they’re turned off on many newer PCs. If they don’t work, use Method 1. Pressing them by accident is a common reason a screen suddenly flips.
Method 3: Graphics control panel
- NVIDIA: Right-click the desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > Rotate display.
- AMD: Open AMD Software > Display and look for rotation, or use Windows Display settings.
- Intel: Open Intel Graphics Command Center > Display > Rotation. You can turn the hotkeys on or off in its settings.
Tablets and 2-in-1 laptops
Windows rotates the screen automatically when you turn the device. To stop it, open Action Center (Windows + A) and turn on Rotation lock, or go to Settings > System > Display and turn on Rotation lock. If Display orientation is grayed out, turn off rotation lock or switch out of tablet mode.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my screen turn upside down?
Usually someone pressed Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow by accident, or a tablet’s rotation sensor triggered it. Press Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow or change Display orientation back to Landscape.
Can I rotate just one monitor?
Yes. In Display settings, select that monitor first, then change its orientation.
Why is Display orientation grayed out?
Rotation lock may be on (on tablets), or your display driver needs updating. Install the latest graphics driver from your PC or GPU maker.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Display > Display orientation.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.