When you add a second monitor to your workplace, it offers an excellent way to multitask and also enhance visibility. You’ll see every bit of the display, and your appreciation of the movies or games will increase. It’s no surprise that programmers and gamers are adopting this way.
It won’t be enjoyable when you buy an excellent second monitor, and it’ll not display. If your second monitor is detected but not displaying, we’re here to quench your disappointment.
This article will cover every aspect of your troubles, stating the cause of the problem and providing an efficient solution to enjoy your second monitor.
Let’s get started.
Second Monitor Detected But Not Displaying: Likely Causes
There are many possible reasons your second monitor might not be working correctly. Generally, we can classify the problem into hardware and software issues. Explicitly, the following are why your second monitor is detected but not displaying:
- Driver incompatibility
- Problem with Antivirus or other security software.
- Incorrect graphics card settings
- Bad cable connection
- Defective monitor port
Second Monitor Detected But Not Displaying: How To Fix
To fix your second monitor not displaying a problem, you need the correct diagnosis. There are some preliminary steps to take before going into the in-depth steps. The problem with your second monitor might be some simple issues rather than complex ones.
If this is the first time using the monitor, it indicates some problems regarding hardware components. If it’s an old monitor, the problem could be with software drivers or software.
Below are some troubleshooting steps you should follow to get your second monitor working perfectly.
1. Restart Your Computer
This method might seem simple, but it works very well, which is why it’s one of the most recommended technical difficulty fixes. A simple reboot can fix most basic bugs and allow your PC to start from the ground up.
Sometimes installing a new monitor with its drivers and software can confuse the computer on what to prioritize. If you restart it, it will enable it to categorize all the new functions of the monitor. Please restart your computer and ensure it’s connected to an active internet connection when you’re doing the reboot.
2. Change the Dual Monitor’s Display Settings
Your second monitor might be detected but not displaying content because of some specific display settings problem. You can try to change the monitor’s display settings as follow
- Go to the Settings menu and select System
- Navigate to the Display Settings section
- Locate the Rearrange Your Displays option and select it
- Select the Detect button, and your second monitor should be working fine
- Else, go-to Advanced Display Settings. You’ll find it at the bottom of the page
- Select the Display Adapter properties for display-2
- Jump to the Monitor tab and choose a different screen refresh rate.
If the problem persists, follow the steps below again:
- Press Windows key + X to jump to the Device Manager tab
- Inspect if the OS detects your graphics card
- Check the Display Adapters and Monitors option
- If there’s an error with a yellow caution sign, there’s a problem with the graphics card.
3. Update The Monitors Drivers/Graphics
Some PCs won’t work with gadgets or other technological accessories because of driver updates. If your computer is using a graphics card, ensure you update the dedicated display drivers for the graphics card before trying to use the second monitor.
With the update, your monitor can communicate effectively with the computer. You can consider checking the dedicated website for your graphics card providers, such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Integrated Graphics.
Lastly, ensure you update the windows operating system of your devices. When you type “Check for Updates” in the search bar, it will automatically help you search for updates, and you can install it accordingly.
4. Test With An Alternative Configuration
If the problem persists, you should try swapping the connection ports of the two devices. If your PC has different ports for many monitors, try plugging the monitor into the various ports. This method will let you determine whether it’s the monitor giving the issue or the computer’s port.
Also, try to use the second monitor as the primary monitor. If the method doesn’t work, perhaps the monitor is faulty. You can clarify the doubt by using a third monitor rather than the secondary monitor. If it works, then you can confirm the second monitor is bad.
Also, connect a separate PC, desktop, or laptop with the secondary monitor. If it works, perhaps the monitor is not bad, and it’s just something specific about the central computer that’s causing the problem. Inspect the cables and the ports of both devices for visible damage. If there’s any, you’ll need to replace it.
You can try several alternatives to determine where the problem is coming from so you can make the necessary adjustments.
5. Perform a System Restore
If you’re using Windows 10, try to do a system restore to return your computer to the previous state. This is important if you’ve done a windows update before you start encountering this problem as it depicts the update is causing the problem. You can perform a system restore as follows:
- Click on the Start Menu
- Type “Create a restore point” in the search bar
- Select the top result, and you’ll be directed to the Control Panel Settings page
- Navigate to System Properties and choose the System Restore option
- Select the Restore Point option
- The configuration will adjust accordingly.
6. Scan for Any Viruses
The chance may be slim, but we can’t eradicate the chances that a virus might be causing the problem. Some dangerous malware bugs and viruses can compromise the system files and essential root functions of your computer operating system.
Run a full system scan with third-party Antivirus software or anti-malware on your PC. If you don’t have third-party antivirus software, you can use Windows Defender as follows
- Click on the Start Menu
- Search for Virus & threat detection
- Click on the top result and run a quick scan
- Let the process run as it will deal with any threat automatically
7. Reinstall Windows Operating System
If none of the above steps have worked for you, reinstalling your computer’s Windows operating system is the last resort. This process can reboot the computer from scratch and eradicates the majority of information on the computer. So, be sure to back up important data before you proceed with this method.
8. Contact Manufacturer Support
The solutions we provide in this article are sufficient to help you fix your second monitor display problem. If you’ve tried all the fixes above and the problem persists, we recommend you seek the help of a professional or contact your monitor’s manufacturer company for further diagnosis.