How to Disable Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) in Windows

By XaHertz  |  March 9, 2025  |  Last Updated : March 13, 2025

Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) is a Windows graphics feature designed to enhance rendering performance by allowing the GPU to handle multiple image layers more efficiently. This results in reduced power consumption and improved display responsiveness. However, in some cases, MPO can lead to display issues such as screen flickering, stuttering, or graphical artifacts.

When Should You Disable MPO?

While MPO generally improves performance, you might consider disabling it in the following cases:

  • Screen Flickering: If you notice unusual flickering or stuttering, especially in web browsers or video playback.
  • Graphical Artifacts: If parts of the display appear distorted or have rendering issues.
  • Compatibility Issues: Some older applications and certain graphics drivers may not work well with MPO enabled.

Disabling MPO

If you experience display problems related to MPO, you may need to disable it manually. You can do it by doing a simple registry modification as Windows allows users to control MPO settings through registry. Follow these steps below to disable MPO:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run the following command to disable MPO:
    reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm /v OverlayTestMode /t REG_DWORD /d 5
  3. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Image showing Registry command to disable MPO

If disabling MPO resolves your display issues, you may want to keep it turned off until an updated driver or system patch improves compatibility.

Enabling MPO

If your display issues still persists and you want to restore MPO, follow these steps:

  1. Again, Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run the following command to restore MPO:
    reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm /v OverlayTestMode
  3. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Image showing Registry command to enable MPO

Final Thoughts

Multiplane Overlay (MPO) is a powerful Windows feature that enhances visual performance but may sometimes cause display issues. By using simple registry commands, you can enable or disable MPO based on your needs. If you’re experiencing graphical problems, disabling MPO might be a quick and effective troubleshooting step.


Last updated on March 13, 2025