Inconsistent LabVIEW and LabWindows™/CVI UI Behavior with Multiple Monitors on Windows 10

Updated Dec 18, 2023

Reported In

Software

  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI

Operating System

  • Windows

Issue Details

I have a computer that runs Windows 10, and one of my monitors is a higher resolution than the others. When I run a VI on the high-resolution monitor, everything works as expected. If the VI panel is dragged to any extended monitor, the LabVIEW panel UI behaves strangely, including:
  • Right-clicking on the block diagram or front panel does not bring up the function or control palette.
  • Clicking on any menu item highlights the item, but nothing pulls down, or the menu is offset, potentially even to another screen.
  • The cursor appears to be very small on the extended monitor while in LabVIEW.
  • The palettes in LabVIEW appear too large.
  • The drop-down menus in LabVIEW are shifted to the left of the screen when I use multiple screens.
On LabWindows™/CVI, the project UI behaves as follows:
  • When right-clicking a code statement, the context menus are shown in a different section of the screen or a different monitor.
  • Context menus are not shown at all.
  • Unresponsive interface.
All other applications behave correctly on my system. 

Solution

There is a known issue with versions of LabVIEW and LabWindows™/CVI, on Windows 10 where the UI will behave incorrectly when extended monitors are set to differing magnifications from the primary monitor. This can also happen if the primary monitor is a higher resolution than the extended monitors. Check your magnification settings. Ensure that they are uniform for each of the monitors. 

To address this issue, try the following suggestions:

  • Right-click on the Desktop and select Display Settings scroll to the Scale and Layout Section and adjust scaling and resolution for each screen, preferably to a lower value. For example: change it to 100% if you have it at 125% or 150%.
 

 
  • Set scaling within LabVIEW™ or LabWindows™/CVI to be defined by the application
    1. Right-click on the LabVIEW™ or LabWindows™/CVI icon, and then select Properties.
 
LabVIEW Properties.png
 
  1. Select Compatibility >> Change high DPI settings. 
  2. Check the Override high DPI scaling behavior checkbox, and make sure Scaling performed by is set to Application.
 
Properties DPI settings.png