Having issues with zoom levels on any browser, caused pc to become bricked

Inxious757 20 Reputation points
2026-11-12T16:41:13.4466667+00:00

Hi,

I have had my PC for a good few years now. Ive had issues with it in the past, which took some figuring out to resolve, but this is one that has me stumped.

I recently moved house, and of course brought my PC with me. I had to get a new monitor, wireless mouse, and even a PCIe wifi card, but other than that its all the exact same as it was before. So I get it set up, the monitor has a couple teething problems which I resolve fairly quickly, but as soon as I get onto my default web browser, it happens - the thing begins zooming itself in and out. Infrequently, but often.

Naturally, I begin the process of troubleshooting, but all the things I try have no effect on this weird issue. Ive tried:

  • disconnecting the keyboard
  • disconnecting the mouse, both from its wireless adapter and by turning it off
  • disconnecting the new monitor
  • connecting the new monitor to a different system - it worked perfectly
  • restarting my pc, multiple times
  • changing pc settings, including the refresh rate, the resolution, the default scale, automatic scaling, etc
  • changing browser, it does this on Firefox, Chrome and Edge
  • changing browser settings related to scaling

I had come across another post from 2021 that seemed to have had a similar issue, after going through all of these things, and decided to give the solution a go. It said to go into msconfig and adjust the startup programs to remove anything that isnt necessary to the computer, that might be causing the issue. I followed the steps, including making sure all base Microsoft programs remained active, and now my problem has gone beyond a simple scaling issue. My pc is now stuck in a loop of trying to restart, and im scared it may be unfixable. Im only able to get to the BIOS screen and the Windows Recovery screen.

Can anyone help me with this?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures
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Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-11-13T19:46:29.6666667+00:00

Use System Restore from Windows Recovery Environment to roll back the msconfig changes without deleting personal files.

1. Undo the startup configuration change

From the Windows Recovery screen:

  1. Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore.
  2. Select the Windows installation and sign in if requested.
  3. Choose a restore point created before the msconfig changes. Select Show more restore points if necessary.
  4. Optionally select Scan for affected programs, then choose Next → Finish.
  5. Allow Windows to complete the restoration and restart.

System Restore reverses recent system settings, registry, and installed-program changes while leaving personal files intact.^1^ If BitLocker is enabled, the recovery environment might request the recovery key.

2. If no restore point exists or restoration fails

Try these options in order:

  1. Startup Repair
    Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair → Restart. It checks for startup problems including damaged system files, boot configuration, incompatible drivers, and registry errors.^2^
  2. Safe Mode
    Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then press 4/F4 for Safe Mode. If networking is required, use 5/F5 instead.^3^ If Windows opens:
    • Press Windows+R, enter msconfig, and select OK.
    • On General, select Normal startup.
    • On Boot, ensure Safe boot is cleared.
    • Apply the change and restart normally.
  3. External Windows recovery media
    If the built-in recovery tools all fail, use another working PC and an empty USB drive of at least 8 GB to create Windows 11 installation media from: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 Boot the affected PC from that USB, then select Repair your computer, not Install now, and retry System Restore or Startup Repair. This approach provides a separate recovery environment when the one on the internal drive is not working.^4^
  4. Reset this PC — last resort
    Select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC → Keep my files. This reinstalls Windows and preserves personal files, but removes applications and settings. Back up anything important first if possible, and have the BitLocker recovery key available. Do not interrupt the reset even if the screen remains black or the PC restarts several times.^5^

3. Diagnose the zooming only after Windows starts

Since disconnecting the keyboard, mouse, and monitor did not stop the behavior, do not repeat those tests. Instead, isolate software and the newly installed PCIe Wi-Fi hardware:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode using the path above.
  2. Test browsing for long enough that the zoom would normally recur.
    • If it does not happen in Safe Mode, a third-party service, startup application, or driver is the likely area to investigate; Safe Mode starts Windows with only essential services and drivers.^3^
    • If it still happens, record whether the browser’s displayed zoom percentage changes or the entire Windows desktop is magnified. These are different mechanisms.
  3. If Safe Mode is stable, open Device Manager and inspect the newly installed PCIe Wi-Fi adapter for a warning symbol. Update its driver from the card or PC manufacturer; if updating does not help, disable the adapter temporarily and test again. Microsoft’s restart troubleshooting guidance specifically recommends checking recently added hardware and Device Manager.^6^
  4. Note that browser zoom can be triggered by Ctrl+Plus, Ctrl+Minus, or Ctrl+mouse wheel. If the visible browser zoom percentage changes, use that observation to look for software generating those inputs rather than changing Windows display scaling.

Avoid another broad msconfig service-disable operation until Windows is stable; Safe Mode provides the same isolation purpose without permanently changing a group of startup settings.

References

  1. System Restore
  2. Startup Repair
  3. Windows startup settings | Microsoft Support
  4. Error 8007139f when attempting WinRe operations - Microsoft Q&A
  5. Reset your PC
  6. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/performance-optimization/troubleshooting-windows-unexpected-restarts-and-stop-code-errors#basic-troubleshooting-steps-for-windows-11-blue-screens,-black-screens-and-stop-code-errors)
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Answer accepted by question author
Airbus A350 8,475 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-11-12T21:40:22.2466667+00:00

Hello,

Since you have access to the Windows Recovery Environment, please try entering Safe Mode to reenable the services you disabled.

If the Windows Recovery Environment screen gives you a list of options along the lines of "Continue to Windows", "Use a device", "Troubleshoot", or "Shut down", press "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options" then "Startup settings". Let Windows attempt to reload, and then once it does, select 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.

See if Windows boots. If so, sign in, open msconfig, and then reenable all the services that you disabled. If you are able to do so, reboot your computer and Windows should boot.

Let me know how this goes.

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