0xC026231D Fix: Frequency Range Not in Set

You're stuck with this error and it's annoying

You try to set a custom refresh rate or resolution, and Windows throws 0xC026231D. The culprit here is almost always a mismatch between what you're asking for and what your monitor's EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) says it can do.

The quick fix: Reset display settings

1. Right-click on your desktop and pick Display settings.
2. Scroll down to Advanced display.
3. Click Display adapter properties for Display 1.
4. Go to the Monitor tab.
5. Under Screen refresh rate, pick a standard rate like 60 Hz. Apply it.

If you set a custom resolution or refresh rate in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software, undo that. Here's how:

For NVIDIA users

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Go to Display > Change resolution.
3. Click Customize below the list.
4. Select the custom setting giving you the error and hit Delete.
5. Apply changes and reboot.

For AMD users

1. Open Radeon Software.
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) > Display.
3. Find Custom Resolutions and remove the faulty one.
4. Restart your PC.

This works 90% of the time. If not, move to the next step.

Registry fix for stubborn cases

Sometimes the driver caches a bad frequency set. You need to clear it.

reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration /f

Run this in an admin Command Prompt. It wipes all saved monitor configs. After that, reboot. Windows will rebuild them from scratch using the EDID. Don't bother with the graphics driver uninstall first — that's overkill for this error.

Less common causes and their fixes

1. Bad EDID or monitor cable

If you're using a cheap HDMI cable or an adapter (like DisplayPort to HDMI), the EDID can get corrupted. Swap the cable or try a direct connection. I've seen this with 4K monitors at 60 Hz — the cable just can't handle the bandwidth.

2. Stuck driver setting from an old GPU

Swapped your GPU but kept the same Windows install? Old driver profiles can linger. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to wipe all traces of the old driver, then install the latest one fresh. This is the nuclear option but works when nothing else does.

3. Active monitor that's not connected

If you previously used a second monitor and disconnected it, Windows might still try to apply a frequency from that monitor's set. Open Device Manager, expand Monitors, right-click any grayed-out monitor, and uninstall it. Then scan for hardware changes.

How to prevent it in the future

• Always use the EDID — When setting a custom resolution, stick to timing parameters that your monitor actually supports. Use the monitor's manual or check its specs online.
• Update your GPU driver from the manufacturer's site, not Windows Update. Same for the monitor driver if available.
• Avoid overclocking your monitor beyond its rated refresh rate. This error is common when people try to push 75 Hz on a 60 Hz panel.
• Keep your cable game strong — Use a good quality cable that matches your monitor's resolution and refresh rate. Don't cheap out on it.

That's it. Clear the bad config, use the right cable, and you'll never see this 0xC026231D again.