How to fix the problem when Windows does not detect the second screen

Last update: 07/02/2025
Author Isaac
  • Check the physical connections and replace the cable if necessary.
  • Force detection of second monitor in display settings.
  • Update or reinstall your graphics card drivers.
  • Please check that the port and cable are compatible with the monitor.
How to migrate from X to bluesky-0
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: In this photo illustration, the Bluesky logo is displayed on a cell phone with the app displayed on a computer monitor on November 14, 2024 in Pasadena, California. The social media app Bluesky has seen its user base increase by 1.25 million since the US Presidential elections as some people leave rival X, which is owned by Elon Musk. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Connecting a second monitor to a computer can be a great way to improve the productivity and make it easier to work with multiple applications at once. However, on some occasions, Windows does not properly detect the secondary display, which can lead to a lot of frustration. This problem can be caused by a number of factors, such as incompatibilities of hardware, errors in system configuration or problems with graphics card drivers.

To resolve this situation, it is essential to carry out a series of checks and apply specific solutionsIn this article, we will explain in detail all the possible causes and the best ways to fix it so that you can connect your second monitor without any issues.

Check physical connections

multi-monitor

Before making any configurations on the system, the first thing you should do is check that all connections are correctly established. loose cable or damaged may be the cause of the problem.

  • Make sure the cable is connected properly: Gently press the connector on both the monitor and graphics card port to confirm that it is firmly inserted.
  • Try another cable: If you have another HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA cable, try using that to rule out a cable problem.
  • Check that the monitor is receiving power: The monitor may not be turned on or its power supply may not be working properly.

Force manual detection in Windows

If the operating system does not automatically detect the secondary monitor, you can try to force its detection:

  1. Take the right click on desktop and select Screen settings.
  2. Scroll down to the section Multiple screens and press the button Detect.
  3. If it is still not detected, try changing the option screen projection with the key combination Win+P, and choose between Duplicate, Extend, or Second Screen Only.
  How to fix Internet Explorer has stopped working

Check that you are using the correct port

If your computer has both a dedicated graphics card and an integrated graphics card, it is important to connect the secondary monitor to the primary graphics card.

  • On desktop PC: Connect it to the PCIe graphics card instead of the motherboard.
  • En portable: Make sure you are using the HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C suitable.

Try another device

If your monitor is not showing a signal, try connecting it to another computer, a console, or a media player with an HDMI output. If it doesn't work on another device either, the problem is probably with the monitor.

Check port and cable compatibility

standards HDMI, DisplayPort y DVI have different versions that can affect the monitor's compatibility with your computer. If you use an adapter, make sure it is compatible with the monitor's resolution and refresh rate.

Update or reinstall graphics card drivers

A faulty graphics card driver may be the cause of the problem. To update the drivers:

  1. Open the Device administrator (Win + X → Device Manager).
  2. Expand the section Display adapters, right click on your graphics card and select Update Driver.
  3. If the problem persists, uninstall the driver and reinstall it from the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel).

Set the appropriate resolution

If the monitor is detected but does not display an image, it is possible that the selected resolution may not be compatible.

  1. Go to Screen settings.
  2. Select the second monitor and lower the resolution to a compatible one.
  3. If the issue persists, try changing the refresh rate in Advanced Display Settings.

Disable HDR in Windows

Some monitors are not compatible with HDR and this can cause problems in detecting them.

  1. Opens Screen settings and look for the Windows HD Color option.
  2. Disable the option Use HDR.

Try a port adapter

If you are using an incompatible cable or a port that is not supported by your monitor, consider using an adapter such as:

  • HDMI to DisplayPort.
  • DisplayPort to DVI.
  • USB-C to HDMI.
  Automate exports with actions in Photoshop and Figma

Try the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes a tool to troubleshoot hardware issues.

  1. Open the cmd as administrator.
  2. Write the command: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
  3. Follow the troubleshooter instructions.

By following these recommendations, you should be able to fix the second monitor detection issue in Windows. If none of these solutions work, it is recommended to test the monitor on another computer or contact technical support manufacturer.

Leave a comment