Computer cannot pick up second monitor

Question

My computer had two screens working fine, and then out of the blue, the screen stopped working - the computer could not detect a second screen. I bought a new monitor, and the computer still says it cannot detect another monitor.

Answer 1

Hello,

Have you tried a different cable?

Please tell me - What port do you use on the computer side, and what port do you use on the monitor side? Any adapter/converter/docking station in the middle?

If you have already tried a different cable and it still doesn't work, please perform a a power reset first.

To do so, turn off the computer, unplug the computer from the power cord, then hold down the power button for 30 seconds. Turn the computer back on to see if it works.

If not, Can you share with me two screenshots please?

1. Go to Device Manager > Display Adapters, I would like to see what's listed.
2. Please type msinfo32.exe in the search on the taskbar and hit enter, then share a screenshot of the pop up.

Thanks!

Answer 2

If your computer is unable to detect a second monitor, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check Connections: Ensure that all cables are securely connected to both the computer and the monitor. If you're using adapters, make sure they are functioning correctly.
2. Display Settings: Use the keyboard shortcut Windows + P to open the display options and select a different display mode (e.g., Duplicate or Extend).
3. Detect Monitors: Go to Display Settings and click on the Detect button to see if the system can find the second monitor.
4. Update Drivers: Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. You can check for updates through the Device Manager.
5. Test the Monitor: Since you mentioned that you bought a new monitor, try connecting it to a different computer to confirm that it works.
6. Power Options: If you are using a laptop, check the Power Options settings to ensure that the lid close action is not set to "Do nothing," as this can affect external display detection.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to check for hardware compatibility or other underlying issues with the graphics card or docking station if applicable.

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References:

• Docking station external monitors not working when a Windows 10 version 1703-based portable computer is connected
• Display configuration reverts to "Second screen only" after you resume from standby