can see 2nd display but says inactive

Question

2nd display seen but inactive, mouth and keyboard active and working on same

Answer 1

Dear @yana fedorov

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

Based on your description, I do not know that you are using Surface device or other PC, laptop. 

Assuming that you are using any PC or laptop, not Surface, I have several suggestions that may help you to solve it: 

1.Check Display Settings: 

If you are trying to set up an external monitor and it’s not working, press the Windows logo key + P to make sure that the Extend option is selected. If the Extend option is selected, try the following troubleshooting tips: 

• With only 1 external monitor:

• With a second or third external monitor: 

Also, kindly check again that you set the second monitor to "Extend these displays": 

Go to Windows > Settings > Display

References:  

• Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows - Microsoft Support 
• How to use multiple monitors in Windows - Microsoft Support 

2.Check Cable and Port: 

You can try a different cable or port to see if it can be fixed. Or you can test the monitor on another device to confirm it works. 

3.Restart and Reconnect: 

• Disconnect the monitor. 
• Restart the PC. 
• Reconnect the monitor after restarting your PC. 

4.Check the Graphic Driver to make sure that it is the latest driver. 

Additionally, if you use Surface device, please kindly take a look in these articles for troubleshooting steps: 

• Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display - Microsoft Support 
• Display 2 Isn't Active - Microsoft Q&A 

I hope this information can help you to solve it soon. 

Wish you a pleasant day!

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.