Last updated on November 26th, 2024 at 02:36 pm
Windows has a feature called multiplane overlay support (MPO), which is supported by Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.3 and later. One of the most common reasons why users have display issues is caused by MPO. Figuring out how to disable MPO is a great way to fix flickering, stuttering, and black screens.
In this guide, you will learn two methods for disabling MPO. By following these two methods, you will now be able to solve many practical issues that you are having with your Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD GPU.
What is MPO?
First introduced by Microsoft in Windows 8.1 via Windows Display Driver Module (WDDM) 1.3, MPO allows for multiple frame buffers to be composited using fixed function hardware in the display controller rather than using graphics or compute shaders for composition. In layman’s terms, MPO can bring many benefits to your PC by decreasing your GPU and CPU workloads.
Although this feature can be very helpful, there are many reports from users that state that disabling MPO can fix many issues like GPU stuttering and black screens that occur in Windows PCs.
MPO can cause issues with your PC like stuttering, flickering, driver timeout issues, and black screen issues. It also causes issues with other browsers such as Chrome or Edge. Disabling MPO is great if you are having these problems.
Disable MPO Using Registry File Method (Easy Method)
This method is great if you are a beginner Windows user who wants a quick fix. Download the registry file mpo_disable and mpo_restore from Nvidia Support using this link. If you don’t have an Nvidia GPU, don’t worry, this works for any GPU you have.
After downloading them, run the mpo_disable registry file by double-clicking, then restart your PC to apply the new registry change. If you are having some issues after disabling, just run the mpo_restore registry file by double-clicking it. Restart your PC again to enable MPO successfully.
Disable MPO Using the Registry Editor Method (Advanced Method)
Disabling MPO using this method involves editing the registry, so this method might be a bit intimidating for some Windows users. But as long as you follow the steps properly, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Let’s get started.
- Run Regedit or “regedit.msc” or Registry Editor app as admin
Before continuing, export the current registry by going into File > Export, then save it to your preferred folder. In case anything goes wrong, you can always import your previous one by going into File > Import.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and expand it.
- Afterward, open up and expand the SOFTWARE key.
- Repeat the same steps by expanding Microsoft.
- Scroll down through the long list until you get to the W section.
- Next, expand Windows, then access the Dwm key.
- Right-click on the Dwm key and hover your cursor on the option New.
- Select DWORD (32-bit) value. You will now see New Value #1 highlighted under Dwm.
- Rename the new value you created to OverlayTestMode.
- Double-click OverlayTestMode to bring up the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window.
- Change the value data from 0 to 00000005.
- Make sure that the value data you typed in has 7 zeros, then close Regedit.
- To apply these registry changes, you will need to restart your computer.
If you are still having issues, go back to the Dwm key and follow the previous steps. Next, delete OverlayTestMode by clicking once, then right-clicking and selecting Delete. Select Yes when the Confirm Value Delete prompt pops up. Now exit and restart your PC to restore the MPO feature again.
