If yoursecond monitor is not detected onWindows 10, even though you know the monitor itself works fine and the video output its connected to is fine, dont give up hope. Usually its a driver problem, it should be very easy to fix. Read on to find out how
4 Fixes for second monitor not detected:
If your video driver is out of date, incorrect or faulty, Windows 10 [and Windows 7] wont be able to extend or mirror your desktop to your second display. Rolling back the driver to an older version may fix the problem.
If it doesnt, updating the driver almost certainly will. If unluckily, after dealing with your video driver problem, Windows 10 still cant detect your second monitor, try Fix 3, then Fix 4.
Fix 1:Roll back to a previously installed video driver
Sometimes the latest drivers dont work properly on Windows 10. To check if this is whats causing your problem, simply roll back to a previous version of your video driver [aka display driver].
1]On your keyboard, press theWindows logo keyandR[at the same time]to invoke the Run box.
2] Typedevmgmt.mscand pressEnter.
3] In theDisplay adapterssection, right-click on your display device software, and selectProperties.
4] Select theDrivertab and clickRoll Back Driver, thenfollow the on-screen instructions.
Note:If the Roll Back Driver option grayed out, you can download a previous video driver from the manufacturers website for your video card and install it on your Windows 10, or try the following Method 2.
5]When complete, restart your computer, and see if Windows can now detect your second monitor.
Fix 2: Update your video driver
If rolling back your video driver doesnt enable Windows 10 to recognize your second monitor, its likely youre using the wrong driver. There are two ways you can get the right driver for your video card: manually or automatically.
Manual driver update You can update your video driver manually by going to the manufacturers website for your video card, and searching for the most recent correct driver for it. Be sure to choose the only driver that is compatible with your variant of Windows 10.
Automatic driver update If you dont have the time, patience or computer skills to update your video driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically withDriver Easy.Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct driver for your exact video card, and your variant of Windows 10, and it will download and install it correctly:
1] Download and install Driver Easy.
2] Run Driver Easy and click theScan Nowbutton. Driver Easywill then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3] ClickUpdateAllto automatically download and install the correct version ofallthe drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. [This requires thePro versionwhich comes with full support and a 30-day money back guarantee.Youll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.]
Note:You can do it for free if you like, but its partly manual.
4] Restart your computer and check to see if Windows 10 / Windows 7 can now detect your second monitor.
Fix 3:Make sure your monitor refresh rates are set to same
The monitor/screen refresh rate is the number of times in a second that your screen refresh the images on it. When two monitors are connected to Windows 10 together, the refresh rate plays a vital role. Some graphics card dont support different refresh rate at the same time.
So if the screen fresh rate of your two monitors are different, your second monitor probably cant be detected.
Follow to make sure your monitor refresh rates are set to same:
1] On your keyboard, hold down theWindows logo key, then press theI key.
2] ClickSystemon the pop-up Settings window.
3] ClickAdvanced display settingsunder the Display section.
4] ClickDisplay adapter properties for Display 1, then clikcDisplay adapter properties for Display 2.
5] Check to see what the Screen refresh rates of both monitors under the Monitor sections.
5a] If the rates are different, then changed either one to set them to same. Then save your change byApply>OK and proceed to check to see if your second monitor is detected successfully.
5b] If the rates have been set to same already, then move on to next fix.
Fix 4:Change your project mode
Sometimes your second monitor cant be detected might due to the wrong-set project mode. Quickly and easily change your project mode by these two steps:
1] On your keyboard, hold down theWindows logo key, then press thePkey.
2] SelectDuplicateif you want to display the same screen on your two monitors. SelectExtendif your want to earn more workplace.
Thats all there is to it. Hopefully one of these methods resolves your problem, and you can now extend your desktop to your second monitor, or mirror/project your laptop onto your second monitor.
If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, please let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!