Second Monitor Not Working on Windows 10 PC

It can be frustrating trying to find the right solution when you are struggling with your second monitor not working on your PC.

Windows 10 has made connecting to a second monitor super easy – but if their automated connection process fails – finding the cause may require you to perform some advanced troubleshooting tasks.

Connected Cable On Second Monitor Not Working

Although cables are inconvenient, they are much easier to troubleshoot than networking problems. Sometimes simply disconnecting and reconnecting the cable can fix the problem.

If this doesn’t work, verify you are using the right source on the second monitor.

Monitors can have different sources, so first check that the setting matches the type of cable you are using.

Cable types typically include:

• VGA
• HDMI
• DVI

VGA and SVGA cables will usually equal the “PC” or “Computer” setting on the second monitor’s source setting. HDMI will have its own listing on HDMI enabled monitors.

Check The Graphics Card

If the monitor is not picking up a signal with the correct source setting, it could be a problem with the graphics card. A graphics card comes with an output port that may be malfunctioning due to a software or hardware failure.

To establish if the problem is with the graphics card’s port, try connecting to a different monitor (if one is available).

You can also verify your graphics card is working properly in Device Manager. To do this, hit the Windows Key and type “device manager” into the search box then select the “Device Manager” desktop application.

Expand the Display Adapters section and confirm you have the right adapter listed.

The device manager should list the exact graphics card you have installed. If you recognize the graphics card, you can right click and select “Properties” from the context menu.

In the Device Status section, check if there are any errors or failures listed.

You can also check our guides on how to see if your monitor is the problem, not the computer or graphics card.

• Acer Monitor Not Working
• AOC Monitor Not Working
• Ben Q Monitor Not Working
• Enzio Monitor Not Working
• Philips Monitor Not Working
• Sharp Monitor Not Working
• Sony Monitor Not Working

A Wifi Connected Second Monitor Not Working

Using The Cast To Device Feature

To cast a video or media file to your Wifi enabled monitor, right click on the file you want to stream and choose “Cast to Device”.

If this isn’t working, ensure you connected your Wifi enabled monitor to the same network as your PC. This is a common mistake when there is more than one Wifi network available.

To check if the monitor is connected, right click on the file, go to the “Cast to Device” option, and check if the monitor is available in the list. Choosing the monitor or TV from the list will start the streaming service.

If there aren’t any monitors listed, enable your Network Sharing option on the PC – this setting is usually set to off for Public Networks.

To change the network sharing settings, hit the Windows Key and type “network” and then select “Network Status” from the settings section.

On the settings page, choose “Sharing Options” and select the “Turn on file and printer sharing”.

Projecting Desktop Onto A Second Monitor

To project the entire desktop to the second monitor (like with a projector), hit the Win+P.

Choose the “Project to a second screen” option from the settings section. Finally, select the type of projection required when prompted (Extend, Duplicate, or Second screen only).

Note that both casting a file to the monitor and projecting the desktop requires both devices to be on the same Wifi network.

Update Your Graphics Card Driver with Driver Support

If you do not recognize the device listed in Device Manager, it could mean windows has replaced your original driver with a generic driver instead.

This can cause playback and communication errors between the card and be the cause of the second monitor not working.

Driver Support allows you to update your PC with the correct graphics card driver quickly and easily. The software will catalog all your hardware and connected devices, and download and install the correct drivers from the vendor’s websites. Give DriverSupport | ONE a try today! today to improve your PC’s performance and security.