How to fix second monitor not detected on Windows 10 and 11
Windows 10 or 11 isn’t detecting the external monitor? Try these troubleshooting steps to fix it.
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OnWindows 10(and11), connecting a second display allows you to expand the available desktop to work with multiple apps and play games on your laptop or desktop computer.
Although setting up an external monitor is usually straightforward, sometimes Windows 10 and 11 may not be able to detect older displays or second monitors due to drivers or hardware-related issues. However, if your device has a problem, you can use several troubleshooting steps (including checking the connection and installing the correct drivers) to fix the issue quickly.
In thishow-to guide, I will explain several ways to troubleshoot and fix issues that are blocking the system from automatically detecting the second monitor. This set of instructions is focused on Windows 10, but you can also refer to them if you’re dealing with the same issues onWindows 11. I have also added a section with more specific steps for the newer version of the operating system.
How to fix external monitor connection issues from hardware troubleshooting
When your desktop or laptop does not detect the second external display, it could be a software problem, but it might also be an issue with the physical connection or the monitor itself.
If the monitor does not show up in the settings, use these steps before messing around with the configuration settings on Windows:
If the basic troubleshooting steps outlined above do not fix the problem with the second monitor, it could be a software-related issue, which you may be able to fix with the steps below.
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How to fix external monitor connection issues from Settings
After determining that there isn’t a physical problem with the connection, monitor, or computer, you can use the Settings app to force the system to detect the second monitor.
Force second display detection
To detect a second monitor manually on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 should detect the external monitor connected to the computer.
Connect wireless external display
To connect a wireless display on Windows 10 as a secondary screen on your computer, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the wireless display will be detected as a new external display.
How to fix external monitor connection issues from latest graphics drivers
A buggy, outdated, or corrupted graphics driver can cause problems that may prevent Windows 10 from detecting a second monitor automatically. The easiest method to fix this issue is updating, reinstalling, or downgrading the driver.
Update graphics driver
To update the graphics card driver through Windows Update, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will install the graphics driver, fixing the external monitor’s detection problem.
If Windows Update does not have a newer driver version, check the manufacturer support website to download and install a more recent version (if available).
Reinstall graphics driver
To reinstall a corrupted video driver on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will reinstall the driver automatically. However, it’s good to use the above steps to ensure the driver installs correctly.
Rollback graphics driver
If the computer was recently updated or the graphics driver was recently upgraded manually, and Windows 10 cannot detect the second monitor, rolling back to the previous driver version may resolve the issue.
To remove and reinstall an older version of a graphics driver on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 should start rendering content on the external monitor.
Update graphics driver with manufacturer control panel
Windows 10 can automatically set up drivers for most graphics adapters, but the drivers available through Windows Update are not typically the most recent. If you have to install the latest driver, companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel offer tools to quickly install the latest updates that may help to fix external display problems.
Check out these links to download the drivers, depending on your manufacturer:
If you want to use the manufacturer’s control panel application, the installation is simple. You only need to download and double-click the installer using the above links, continue with the on-screen directions to complete the setup, and check for updates.
Alternatively, you can download the drivers directly from the manufacturer’s support websiteusing their recommended instructions. You can use the links below to find the drivers:
Check manufacturer and driver version
To check the graphics card vendor and driver version on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, use the above links to find, download, and install the correct driver.
Finally, manufacturers (such as Dell, HP, Razer, Acer, and Microsoft) usually change the original drivers to optimize their computers. As a result, if you have a branded computer (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) computer), you should always consider using the graphics driver available through the device manufacturer before trying those available through the graphics card manufacturer to avoid problems.
How to fix external monitor connection issues on Windows 11
Although these instructions also apply to Windows 11, some of the steps are slightly different since the newer version includes an updated interface.
Force external monitor detection
To detect an external monitor manually on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the system should detect the external display.
Connect wireless external display
To connect a wireless display as a secondary screen, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the display will be detected as a new external display on the computer.
Update graphics driver
To update the graphics driver, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the system will download and install the available update for the graphics driver, fixing the external monitor’s detection problem.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
