Windows 11 cannot detect second monitor after update

Question

Windows 11 cannot detect second monitor after updates. Worked fine yesterday, this morning, not working. There have been multiple updates installed overnight.

Answer 1

If Windows 11 is unable to detect a second monitor after recent updates, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check Connections: Ensure that the cables connecting the monitor to your PC are secure and that the monitor is powered on.
2. Display Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings". Check if the second monitor is detected. You can also try clicking on "Detect" to see if Windows can find the monitor.
3. Update Graphics Drivers: Sometimes, updates can affect drivers. Go to Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section, right-click on your graphics card, and select "Update driver".
4. Rollback Updates: If the issue started after a specific update, you might consider rolling back that update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
5. Use the Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for hardware and devices. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Hardware and Devices.
6. Check for Further Updates: Sometimes, subsequent updates may fix issues caused by previous ones. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consult Microsoft Support for further assistance.

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References:

• Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications
• Resolved issues in Windows 11, version 25H2

Answer 2

Hi Pamela,

I understand it's frustrating when a second monitor stops working after an update. This often happens because display drivers or settings are reset during the update.

First, let's check a few things. Go to Settings > System > Display and click Detect under Multiple Displays. If that doesn't work, try unplugging and plugging the monitor back in, or try a different cable or port.

Also, check Device Manager for any warnings on the display adapter. If there are any, try updating or reverting the driver.

Is the monitor powered on and properly plugged in? Do you know if you're using an HDMI, DisplayPort, or another type of connection?

Best

rez

Answer 3

Thanks for the confirmation. Given that the HDMI is connected and the monitor is on, we should check if the update changed your graphics driver. In Device Manager, update your display adapter's driver by selecting Search automatically. If that doesn't solve it, Roll back driver if possible. Also, try restarting in Safe Mode to see if the second monitor appears. If it does, the issue is a driver conflict. Could I get your graphics card's make and model?