Using more than one monitor lizard simultaneously is an first-class path to open up your workflow . After all , more screen - based real demesne signify more place to store files , windows , tabloid , and workflow cock . Dual and triple - blind action is also preferred for heavy - duty gaming . Setting up multiple screensis somewhat straightforward too , but sometimes your setup can encounter handshake issue and other glitches .
Not to worry though : Your chum at Digital Trends have years of computer and A / cinque experience under our belts , and we ’ve run into just about every hiccough one can meet when setting up multi - screen stations . For troubleshooting and repair assistance , we ’ve put together this pathfinder to foreground some of the most unwashed multi - monitor errors , suited even if you ’re usingthe best monitorsaround for your multi - screen workspace .
Second monitor not displaying
Although getting no sign to your new varan can be cause for fear , it ’s arguably the easiest problem to situate . It simply intend that the display has power , but it is n’t receiving visual data . There are several reasons why this happens and batch of mending you’re able to attempt to sort it out .
Force Windows to detect your monitor : possibly Windows did n’t recognize your 2d display ’s connection . To force it to check again , right - click the desktop and selectDisplay Settingsfrom the leave pop - up menu . In the follow windowpane , dawn theDetectbutton turn up under the show diagram . In Windows 11 , you may regain this under theMultiple Displayssection .
Turn the screen off and on : Some connector types do n’t like spicy swapping while a different monitor is power on . wrench the display off and then on again . That may be all it necessitate to recognize the video feed and start display it right .
Verify cable connections : A promiscuous cable can cause “ no signal ” wrongdoing more often than any other trouble . If they do seem well secured , disconnect them and stop up them in again just to be sure .
Remove other peripheral gadget : Disconnect any connected cameras or other unneeded peripherals . If your presentation starts work after , these connections were probably interfere with your setup . You may need to chance newer , compatible appurtenance or employ connectedness on your PC instead of your monitor .
Verify the correct input : admonisher with multiple input options need you to manually take which cable and port you ’re using , like HDMI 1 , HDMI 2 , DisplayPort 1.4 , USB - C , and so on . apply the button on your monitor to cycle through the channels and select the correct input from your PC . If you are using an adapter to switch from one type of input signal to another , this may be do issue with the other monitor . adjudicate to bump off the transcriber if possible , or supervene upon it with another adapter to see if this fixes the number .
convert information line : If you ’re using an sometime transmission line banner like VGA or DVI - D , you might want to try a new choice like HDMI or DisplayPort . you may also try using a fresh cable in case the old one has issues ( bent pins , a brusque , exposed wire , etc . ) .
Change the computer graphic port wine : If you ’re using a dedicated computer graphic batting order with multiple output ports , try switching to another port . Sometimes port themselves can go forged or somehow get damaged . Switching to another may be all you call for to do to redress the problem .
upgrade your gadget driver : Windows support multiple monitor by default , but your current frame-up may not be configured aright . ensure you ’re running the later graphics driver for your system can sometimes fix problems with no signal errors .
If you ’re still having trouble with your extended desktop monitor , verify that it works by unplugging the primary covert and double - checking the above steps again . If it does , take run it as the main display until you determine the origin problem . If it does n’t , contact your retailer or manufacturing business to talk over a counter or replacement .
Wrong or differing resolutions
If you add a new , gamey - firmness of purpose reminder to your organization and find that it ’s not displaying correctly , it might be take up configurations from an senior display , or simply trying to match your primary monitor lizard .
Step 1 : Right - flick your desktop and pick out theDisplay Settingsoption on the resulting pop - up menu .
Step 2 : TheSettingsapp opens with theDisplaypanel loaded by default . press the junior-grade display shown in the diagram .
Step 3 : With your secondary blind highlighted , scroll down toScale and Layoutand get across the driblet - down menu situate underDisplay Resolution .
Step 4 : choose a cover resolution that play well for you . Windows depute one of these resolutions as “ recommend ” based on the display ’s hardware .
If this did n’t knead , verify your monitor and graphics card can ladder at your choose resolution . If you ’re still running into problems , try updating your graphic drivers .
take note : you could apply two monitor of different sizes , refresh rates , and resolutions as long as they have the required connection . However , they will still be fix by their case-by-case specifications . If one monitor has a significantly downhearted resolution than the other , that ’s not run low to change , and some thing may naturally look unlike . We suggest not overclocking spectacles like refresh rate when in a dual - monitor frame-up . GPUs may already contend hoodwink two admonisher , you do n’t want to make thing any harder for them .
Wrong refresh rate
If your varan is do at an incorrect refresh pace , it will display a “ no signal ” error . That means the PC is output a signaling the video display simply ca n’t manage , requiring you to manually adjust the output in Windows .
Step 2 : TheSettingsapp open with theDisplaypanel loaded by default . Scroll down and click theAdvanced Display Settingslink locate underMultiple Displays .
stone’s throw 3 : On the following concealment , click the drop - down menu located underChoose Displayand select the problematic proctor .
stride 4 : UnderDisplay Information , fall into place theDisplay Adapter Properties for Display # connexion .
Step 5 : In the following pop - up window , click theMonitortab .
Step 6 : UnderMonitor options , practice the drop - down fare to select another refresh charge per unit .
you could repeat - check what refresh rate your monitoring machine is running at withthe Testufo cock .
Other monitors have the wrong aspect ratio
When this happens , other monitors will have a puzzling aspect proportion , often only using a tiny part of the silver screen as if your PC thinks the other monitor has an spare - large 21:9 facet ratio — or perhaps whizz in too far . Typically , this is cause by a resolution or options issue that can be resolved .
Review your resolution scene : Go through our settlement division above , and make indisputable that your resolution options match each monitor lizard you are using . Use recommend or projection screen - fitting options where potential .
Switch cablegram : If you have the option , essay a dissimilar cable standard , like switching from DisplayPort to HDMI or vice - versa . When doing this , verify the cables you are using backup your current resolution — older cable may not support UHD/4 K firmness of purpose , which could cause this aspect proportion issue .
Are you using a television set as a 2nd monitor ? : If so , go into your TV context and attend for selection to turn off theOverscanorUnderscansetting . This may also be holler aRelaxmode . You may also want to make certain there are noAspect Ratiomodes unexpectedly enabled . Consult your TV manual for more selective information .
Check your display orientation : This is n’t as common , but the issue may be the monitor ’s orientation . In Windows , go to theDisplaysection and count forDisplay Orientation . strain alternate the orientation course to something likePortrait , then switch it back toLandscapeand see if this helps .
Game displaying on the wrong monitor
It ’s not uncommon for games to display on your 2d monitoring equipment rather than your first , which is n’t idealistic if you have a primary presentation for play and a junior-grade for everything else . fortuitously , there are some warm and loose ways to repair it .
Duplicate or extended images
There are a few dissimilar ways to exhibit capacity on two screens , butDuplicateis often the default . If your second display merely replicate the screen background rather than extends it , here ’s how to change that view .
whole step 1 : Press theWindows + Pkeys to load theProjectmenu .
footfall 2 : Select theExtendoption . you may do this by using your mouse , go up or down with the pointer keys and pressingEnter , or by pressing theWindows + Pkeys to cycle through options .
or else , you may take the long route :
Step 2 : TheSettingsapp open with theDisplaypanel charge by default . take your secondary monitor shown in the diagram .
Step 3 : With your second screen highlight , scroll down toMultiple Displaysand selectExtend Desktop to This Displayon the drop - down fare .
Step 4 : Go back up to the diagram and use your shiner to drag your second monitor to the leftover or rightfulness of your main screen .
These same operation can be used to transfer to duplicate if you ’d prefer it that way .
One monitor keeps going off and on
If one of your monitors keep twist on and off or keeps connecting and then disconnecting again , there ’s in all likelihood a trouble with its connection .
Check your power cable length : Try mark the business leader cable to make certain it ’s plug in properly . Check both end too . Just because it ’s plug into the reminder correctly , does n’t mean it has n’t come loose from the rampart socket .
look into the information cable : Whether it ’s HDMI , DisplayPort , USB - C , or an aged legacy connector , ensure it ’s plugged in firmly . If in doubt , unplug it and replug it in again . arrest the goal that ’s plugged into your reckoner , too .
Swap cable : If you have alternate cables you may hear , swap them out to see if that touch on the problem . Also moot swapping the power strip for another one , or plugging straight into the wall if you’re able to .
Change port : Try a unlike embrasure on the monitor and on your computer . If the port wine is bad , it could give rise these sort of connection issues .
Color on one monitor is incorrect compared to the others
This can be an upshot for designers and artist who find that one of the monitors in their setup has mess - up color saturation or poor color accuracy in cosmopolitan .
gradation 1 : unluckily , there is n’t always an easy fix . If colouration truth and similar factors are important to you , the in force way to secure them is to get two of the same monitoring machine mannikin . You may need to replace the hapless - execution reminder with a transcript of your elementary monitor lizard with stronger colouration truth .
stair 2 : If alternate is n’t an selection , you’re able to work to calibrate the poor - perform monitor to cook color return and get it working decently . Bring up the same image on both monitor , and adjust the setting until they match . If you need serious color accuracy , we suggest consult our guide onhow to calibrate your monitorand necessitate a nigh look at the tintometer subdivision .
Two monitors can connect, but not the third
If you ’re working with a three - monitor apparatus , you may obtain that the first two monitors are easy to get in touch , but thethird monitoris not responsive or not behave like the others .
Unplug monitors and plug each reminder in one at a time : Sometimes , this help your computer recognize all three monitors and use them decently , no other steps are needed .
Make certain that your circumstance are onExtend these displays : In theMultiple displayssections ofDisplayson Windows , make indisputable theExtend these displaysoption is chosen . It ’s a ripe estimation to check all your Display configurations to make certain they are set up for multiple monitoring machine : Sometimes a Windows update can reset them .
Games keep minimizing
If you determine that your games keep minimizing when wreak on a single monitor lizard , you might be accidentally clicking in the pane of your 2d exhibit . Some games do n’t lock the bound of their fullscreen windowpane , which means that when you move to the edge of the screen , your pointer can transition into the 2nd windowpane .
Clicking selects that second monitor , or whatever is on it , understate the biz . This is peculiarly problematic in secret plan without a mouse pointer , like first - person shooters . Here are a few method acting for get the minimization problem :
check into your display options within the secret plan itself : If you ’re meet in “ Windowed ” mood , examine switching to “ Full Screen ” instead , as it capture your mouse . If that does n’t work , try switching to the “ Borderless Window ” mode . It wo n’t stop your black eye from moving to the other screen , but it can give up the game from minimise when it happens . You ’ll just need to click back into the game windowpane .
Use a third - party app : Applications like theDual Monitor Toolcan let you operate a black eye pointer to a specific monitor . Just recall to unlock the mouse when you ’re done .
Now that your multiple monitors are all working aright , make certain you get agood dual - screen wallpaperfor them .
Apps and tabs keep getting shuffled around
This can happen if you go into sleep musical mode or your admonisher swap to screensavers , then you open back up . of a sudden , you find that all your app windows or tab have changed places , often all moving to the first admonisher display , ruin your frame-up , and waste plenty of sentence moving them all back . This is a known issue on Windows 10 , most likely due to “ Rapid Hot Plug Detect ” issues , but there are affair you may do to fix the problem .
Update to Windows 11 : Windows 11 specifically has a new feature to portion out with this trouble , so if you update you could limit it . In Windows 11 , visit theDisplaysetting , and look in theMultiple Displayssection . Here you will witness an choice toRemember Window Locations free-base on Monitor Connection . Make trusted it ’s enabled , and that should solve your problem .
Switch off DisplayPort : you could also trade from DisplayPort to HDMI . This trouble looks like unique to DisplayPort connexion , and you may be able-bodied to prevent it from happen by using another connexion choice .
Distortion and artifacts
Sometimes your subaltern computer monitor will function , but it will meet aberration and artifacting that make it difficult to use or impossible to work game with . If your first admonisher does not have these display issues , then the issue is probably interrelate to your hardware . you’re able to usually fix it by trying these steps :
Check monitor port : verify all ports on your computer are clean-living and dust - free . If it ’s been a while , make clean them out very cautiously with a few jets of tight airwave and make trusted there is no damage or debris to the port or cable .
Buy a new proctor cable’s length for the secondary monitor : It may be that your cable is old and failing . This is especially lawful if it is n’t shielded and is experiencing interference from Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , and nearby electrical noise . Find anew HDMI cablethat has great shielding .
Shorten the cable length : If potential , plunk a new cable that ’s shorter than the older one . The longer data has to move around through the cable television , the more opportunity of interference , so a brusk cable can abbreviate down on artifacting and similar problems .
If you are using replacement converter or adapters , try unite without them : Look for cable that do n’t need separate transcriber or electrical switch to control .
Display hub limitations
fortune are your dual- or three-fold - monitor workstation is routed through some type ofmulti - port exhibit hub . brand like Satechi , Targus , and Ugreen are just a few company that make these peripherals .
Many of the best video display hubs can output up to an 8 K sign with a gamy refresh rate , using joining like HDMI , DisplayPort , and USB - C , while a majority of these equipment will at least have 4K.
If you ’re having worry get video to a 2nd or third monitoring equipment , it ’s a good idea to check the specs of your presentation hub . Your computer ’s OS , and your Monitor ’ resolution and refresh rate caps , are factors that will affect the Hoosier State and outs of how you should telegraph your display hub .
Display hubs themselves will also have display limit . For instance , dual - sieve output at 4K/120Hz may be jolly stock , but some hubs will start to cap refresh rate at 60Hz and 30Hz if you ’re set about to output a 4 K signal to more than two screens , or an 8 K signaling to more than one showing .
Additional monitors suddenly stop working
In this case , you have been using a multi - monitor frame-up for a while now and everything has been work very well — but dead your other monitors just stop work in all . Fortunately , this can usually be fix .
delay your connections : Cover the staple , and make indisputable your other proctor is still the right way connected and that cables have n’t come liberal since you last booted up .
Give Windows a admonisher : Sometimes Windows stumbles a little and sort of loses runway of your additional monitors . Give it a refresh by pressing theWindows Logo + Ctrl + Shift + Bkeys . Hold them all down for a second and let go . See if this helps bring your other monitor back to living .
Restart everything : Shut down Windows and all your monitor . Then , turn everything on and bring up up again . This can often fix your issue .
If necessary , roll back number one wood updates : If your display number one wood recently updated , it could be get the issue . Go toDevice Manager , selectDisplayAdapters , and choose your display adaptor to see more . Go toProperties , look at theDrivertab , and chooseRoll Back Driver .
Images don’t align on monitors of different size
If you have different size monitor lizard , particularly with unlike resolutions , it can be very difficult to partake in images between them as if they were one ultrawide — the pixel just wo n’t twin up properly . If you ’re willing to do some work , you may be able to fix this problem .
The most direct agency to deal with this is to adjust a monitor ’s solvent scaling . you may either adjust one varan to work everything into scale or set the same ordered series for both monitor at a level that will help them work together .
carve up the vertical pixels per diagonal inch of both monitors to obtain the correct weighing machine to set the monitors — Reddit has some helpful guidance here . brush up your monitoring machine setting and see if you may typeset the answer or DPI scale this way of life . Your GPU place setting may also be able to help .
