Windows Doesn't Detect Second Monitor: Solutions

Are you trying to view your PC content on multiple screens, but Windows isn't detecting the second monitor? Don't worry, this is a fairly common problem when using multiple displays on your PC. In this case, We will see why this may be happening and what the possible solutions are to your problem..

When Windows doesn't detect the second monitor, it can be due to several reasons. The first thing you should do is check that the second monitor is working. Also, It is good that you check the operation of the cables and connectorsNow, if no physical component is the culprit, there are also internal adjustments you can make. We'll look at this in more detail below.

Why doesn't Windows detect the second monitor?

We understand that it can be inconvenient and even frustrating when Windows doesn't detect the second monitor, especially if it was able to do so without any problems before. However, the truth is that there are several reasons why this may be happening on your PC and It doesn't always mean that the monitor has stopped working..

For example, maybe you updated your graphics card drivers and this caused an error. It's also possible that connectors, ports, or the monitor itself have started failing. Another reason is that Maybe your PC has not been able to detect the presence of the second monitor and you have to do it manually.In any case, we'll look at possible solutions here.

Windows Doesn't Detect Second Monitor: Solutions

When Windows doesn't detect your computer's second monitor, you need to think about possible solutions. That's because Using more than one monitor is really useful, especially if you use different screens to work, play or show what you do to other people or if you usually rotate screen orientation. Next, let's look at how to take advantage of the following measures:

• Check the operation of the second monitor.
• Swap cables, adapters, ports, etc.
• Manually detect other screens.
• Choose a multi-screen option.
• Restart your PC and update Windows.
• Update Drivers.
• Roll back to a previous version of drivers.

Check that the second monitor is working

The first thing you should do when Windows does not detect the second monitor is check that it works correctlyThe easiest way to do this is to replace the primary monitor with the second one. If it turns on and displays the image normally, then you can rule out the possibility of a faulty monitor.

Swap cables, adapters, or try a different port

Once you have verified that your second monitor is in optimal condition, the next step is Check the condition of the cables and adaptersTo do this, you can swap the ones connected to the main display for those on the second monitor.

If one of them fails, you won't be able to see an image on your main screen either. The solution? Get another cable. On the other hand, If your graphics card has multiple ports, try connecting your monitor to a different port..

Detect other screens

None of the above options seem to be the problem? If all the physical parts of your PC are working perfectly, then It's time to go to the computer settingsAnd while it's true that Windows generally automatically detects other monitors connected to your PC, in rare cases you'll need to do it manually. But how?

Follow these Steps to make Windows detect a second monitor on your PC:

1. Right-click on your PC's desktop.
2. Tap on Display Settings (you can also go to Settings – System – Display).
3. Go to the Scale and Design section.
4. Under the Multiple Displays tab, click “Detect” next to the Detect Another Display option.
5. Wait for Windows to detect the second monitor and that's it.

Choose a multi-screen option

Now, perhaps what's happening isn't that Windows isn't detecting the second monitor, but that it isn't configured. Sometimes, we will have to configure the Project tool so that the image appears as we want on our screens.

Doing it is very simple, You just have to press the Windows key + P and choose the projection mode you want.. In this regard, you can choose between PC Screen Only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second Screen Only. This way, you can ensure that the image is projected on one or both monitors.

Restart your PC or Update Windows

Now, what happens if Windows doesn't detect the second monitor from one moment to the next? Maybe a simple restart of the PC will solve the problem.. So you can press the reset button to see the image on the second monitor. But what if everything remains the same when you turn on the PC? Then try shutting down the computer completely. Wait a few minutes and turn it back on.

Another measure you can try is to update Windows. It is possible that after doing the available updates, you can see both of your monitors normally. To do this, go to Settings – Windows Update – Check for updates. Finally, restart your computer for the updates to be applied correctly.

Update graphics card drivers

Updating your graphics card drivers (integrated or dedicated) may be the solution when Windows does not detect the second monitor. Check for and apply any available updates for your graphics card, follow these steps:

1. Right click on the Windows logo.
2. Select Device Manager.
3. Tap the arrow next to Display Adapters.
4. Right-click on the adapter and select Update Driver.
5. Now tap on Search automatically for drivers.
6. If they are available, wait for them to install and that's it.

Roll back to a previous version of the drivers

Finally, What if Windows doesn't detect the second monitor right after updating your PC drivers? Then you'll need to revert to a previous version to resolve the issue. To do this, follow the steps above, but right-click on your graphics card and do the following:

1. Instead of tapping Update Driver, select Properties.
2. Then, tap on the top tab that says Controller.
3. Finally, tap on the option Revert to the previous controller (If you recently updated, you can click on it; otherwise, this option will not be enabled.)
4. Done.