Windows 11 cannot detect second monitor.

Question

I just purchased a new laptop that’s running Windows 11. I am trying to set up duel monitors. When I click ‘Detect’ I get ‘We didn’t find another display’.  I am using an HDMI cable to connect the second monitor to my laptop. Both screens work, but they are a mirror image. There’s no way showing to change that setting because the second monitor was not detected. No good.

I set up the second monitor on my main workstation that’s running Windows 10. No problem. Monitor was detected and set as ‘Extended’. Worked fine.

I reviewed everything I could find about this issue. I tried all the suggested fixes. Nothing worked. All available drivers are up to date, etc., etc.

Another thing I tried was hitting the Windows Key + P. That procedure did identify both monitors. In the settings it did show an option to detect the monitors. When I clicked ‘Detect’ it still came back with ‘We didn’t find another display’ I was able to changed the setting to ‘Extended’. I thought I had it working. However, all I get on the second monitor is the background screen, nothing else. No programs show up. I do get the toolbar. But when I click a toolbar link on the main monitor it activates on the second monitor. It’s a mess.

Has anyone had this problem? Is there a fix?

Thank you for any assistance.

Glenn

Answer 1

I can say with full confidence that this might work for you. Definitely worked for me !

Answer 2

Hi, I tried hard reset - hold power button on your PC till turn off. This simple solution worked.

Answer 3

I am a GenX who had the same issue. My MSI laptop used to detect and display on an additional monitor until it did not. I tried everything I found online: update my display adapters, tried Window "P", tried multiple connections (USB/HDMI) and more. Nothing worked. Until a young IT person where I teach figured out what it was. My laptop is a gaming laptop (no gaming on my part, only AutoCAD and 3D rendering programs that need a lot of processing power and really good graphic card). My laptop has actually 2 display adapters - which I was not aware of: one "regular" called AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics and one I assume for "gaming mode" called AMD Radeon RX 6700M (you can find your display adapter(s) in "Device Manager" then "Display Adapter". My laptop went for a screen replacement at the manufacturer and I suspect they changed the setting to gaming mode without telling me. Unless I changed inadvertently to a gaming mode... I had noticed since I got the laptop back that the laptop fans were running on turbo mode most of the time (with very poor battery life), that I could not put my laptop to sleep, and that my AutoCAD program asked me a weird question about my display resolution the first time I used it after getting it back. I had assumed the laptop was just getting old. All the IT person did was disable the gaming display adapter, and my laptop was back to normal, with sleep mode unable, detecting another monitor and running at normal fan speed with now much better battery life. I felt stupid for not knowing that, so I hope my GenX misadventure will help others.

Answer 4

I want to share my experience in the hope that it might help someone.

Computer Specs:

• Fujitsu ArrowsTab Q739
• Windows 11 Pro
• Intel Core i5 8365U
• Intel HD Graphics 620

Problem Trigger: I connected my computer to a SHARP TV using HDMI (second screen only). When the battery ran out and I plugged the power cord back in to the computer, it no longer detected the second screen.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

1. Updated Windows.
2. Updated the graphics driver.
3. Removed and reinstalled the display adapter and monitor in Device Manager.
4. Completely reset the computer.

None of these steps worked.

Ruling Out Hardware Issues: I tested the HDMI cable by connecting it to another TV. The TV detected the connection, but the computer still did not detect the second display.

How I Got It to Work: I used the wireless display (screen mirroring) function. Note that this requires a monitor that supports wireless projection.

Steps:

1. Unplug the HDMI cable.
2. Open Device Manager and select “Show hidden devices” from the View tab.
3. Uninstall the greyed-out monitor.
4. Connect wirelessly to the TV (it should display as a duplicate display).
5. Go to Advanced Display Settings and change the refresh rate of the second monitor to 50Hz (or 60Hz, though this may not be crucial).
6. Reconnect the HDMI cable to the TV.
7. Go to Display Settings and click “Detect multiple displays.” The connection should switch from wireless to wired.

This trick seems to alert Windows to the presence of an undetected monitor. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. The connection can be lost again if the computer goes to sleep, restarts, or shuts down. The sequence of plugging in the HDMI cable and setting up the wireless display can vary. Sometimes, it even causes my TV to restart during wireless display, leading to a disconnected display. This process can take up to half an hour or more to get working again, which is very frustrating. You have to hope it works each time you want to use it.

Conclusion: From my experience, it’s clear that this is a Windows issue in detecting connected hardware. I urge the developers to take serious action to address this problem.

Answer 5

Hi, I am Dhanam, Independent Advisor here to work with you on this issue.

I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

Uninstall your display driver

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, and then select it from the list of results.

Select the arrow to expand Display adapters.

Under Display adapters, right-click the adapter, then select Properties.

Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, and then select OK.

Restart your device and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

This is a public user-to-user support forum. I'm a user like you helping other users. I do not work for Microsoft and cannot access any user accounts.

I hope this can help you. If this still can't solve your problem, just let me know and I'll do my best to try to help you.

Regards,

Dhanam,

Independent Advisor.