Fix: Rotation Lock Grayed out on Windows 10

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Fix: Rotation Lock Grayed out on Windows 10 1

If you own 2-in-1 Windows 10 device, like a Lenovo Yoga, rotation is one of the basic features that you’re going to use (or maybe you’ll want to disable it). Unfortunately, users have reported the Rotation Lock option is grayed out and that rotation isn’t working on their devices. In my case, my Lenovo Yoga 14 would auto-rotate without me putting it into tent or tablet mode which would then slow down the computer or move my desktop icons around. I actually wanted to enable rotation lock to prevent it from rotating, but mine was stuck allowing rotation. Some users are having the opposite issue, where they want their device to rotate but the rotation lock is stuck not allowing rotation.

Option #1 – Rotate to Landscape (Flipped)

The fix for me was to put my 2-in-1 laptop into tent mode, which kept the device in landscape view except flipped. Once I did this, I was able to click on the Action Center and the Rotation Lock button was clickable. Once I selected Rotation Lock, it was locked in the flipped landscape mode even after I put the laptop back into laptop mode. To fix this, I right-clicked on the desktop and went to Display Settings. Under Orientation, I changed Landscape (Flipped) to regular Landscape.

If your device doesn’t auto-rotate into Landscape Flipped mode, you can try right-clicking on the desktop and went to Display Settings. Under Orientation, and change Landscape to Landscape (Flipped), then check your Rotation Lock button.

Option #2 – Rotate to Portrait

Using the same steps as above, try using Portrait Mode instead of Landscape (Flipped) mode.

Option #3 – Reset Your Device

Users have reported that Rotation Lock function isn’t even showing in the notification area on their Microsoft Surface. You can try to reset your device. To do that, follow these steps:

  • Turn off your device.
  • When device turns off, hold Volume Up and Power button.
  • Choose reset and save option and exit.

After you’ve done that, Rotation Lock should now appear in Notification area, and it should work properly.

Option #4 – Disconnect Your Keyboard

If Rotation Lock is grayed out on your Surface Pro 3 or Dell XPS 2-in-1 device (or similar device), you can try disconnecting your keyboard. Users have reported that after the keyboard is disconnected that the Rotation Lock button starts working normally.

Option #5 – Switch To Tablet Mode

Some users claim that problems with grayed out or missing Rotation Lock button can be fixed simply by switching to Tablet Mode. If your device doesn’t switch automatically to Tablet Mode, you can do the following to access Tablet Mode manually:

  • Click the Action Center button in the Taskbar.
  • When Action Center opens, click the Tablet Mode.

-or-

  • Open Settings > System > Tablet Mode.
  • Make sure that Make Windows more touch-friendly when using your device as a tablet is turned On.

Option #6 – Change LastOrientation Registry Value

  • Press Windows Key + R and type regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
  • When Registry Editor opens, you need to navigate to the following key in the left pane:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AutoRotation
  • In the right pane, find LastOrientation and double click it.
  • In Value data box enter 0 and click OK to save changes.
  • If you see SensorPresent DWORD available, double click it and make sure that it’s value is set to 1.

Option #7 – Check Sensor Monitoring Service

Problems with Rotation Lock and rotation can be caused by certain services, so let’s check if those services are working properly. To do that, do the following:

  • Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
  • When Services window opens, locate Sensor Monitoring Service and double click it.
  • Change the Startup type to Automatic and click Start to start the service.
  • Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Option #8 – Disable YMC service

If you own Lenovo Yoga device and you have problems with rotation and Rotation Lock button, you can fix these problems by disabling the YMC service. To do that, you need to follow these steps:

  • Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
  • Locate YMC service.
  • Double click the service to open its properties and set Startup type to Disabled.
  • Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Option #9 – Remove Intel Virtual Buttons Driver

It has been reported that Intel Virtual Buttons driver causes problems with rotation and it also makes the Rotation Lock button grayed out. So far, only solution is to uninstall the driver and to do that you need to follow these steps:

  • Open Device Manager. You can open Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and choosing Device Manager from the list.
  • Once Device Manager opens, locate Intel Virtual Buttons driver.
  • Right click it and choose Uninstall.

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7 Comments

  1. Cindy Dean B. February 24, 2018
    • Doni July 7, 2020
  2. Taylor Stevens November 22, 2018
  3. Clareify February 14, 2019
  4. ashleyholton March 13, 2019
  5. Joshua May 31, 2020

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