16 Easy Fixes: Multi-Monitor Setup Issues In Windows

Second monitors provide a convenient way to increase productivity and improve the gaming experience. The second screen and secondary display give you an additional workspace for multitasking.

But sometimes, when you set up a multi-monitor for your windows, it could cause Multi Monitor Setup Issues Windows.

This could be frustrating for those who frequently use it for work or gaming experiences. Don’t worry. This can be fixed by performing simple steps. In this article, we have discussed 17 different solutions to fix multi-monitor setup issues in Windows. 

Contents show

1 Solutions to Fix Multi Monitor Setup Issues In Windows

2 Methods to Fix Multi-Monitor Setup Issues in Windows

Solutions to Fix Multi Monitor Setup Issues In Windows 

Update the Resolution Settings Update the Refresh Rate Connect the Wireless External Display Update the Graphics Driver Uninstall the Graphics Card Driver Roll back the Graphics Driver Force Detect the Older Displays Scan For Hardware Changes Restart the PC Check the Display Adapter Verify the Cable Connections Turn the Screen On and Off Remove Other Peripheral Devices Update to Windows 11 Buy a New Monitor Cable For the Secondary Monitor Shorten the Cable Length

Methods to Fix Multi-Monitor Setup Issues in Windows

1. Update the Resolution Settings

Sometimes when you add a high-resolution monitor to your system, it might borrow settings from an older display or try to match with your primary monitor. 

In that case, you have to update the resolution settings. Follow the steps below to update the resolution settings to fix the Multi-Monitor Setup Issues in Windows.

Click on the search icon and search for the Display Settings option.

It will take you to the display settings option in the Settings app. From there, change the options and check if it solves the issue. 

2. Update the Refresh Rate

An incorrect refresh rate can display a no-signal error. This means the PC outputs a signal the display can’t handle.

Hence you need to update the refresh rate for monitors. Follow the steps below to update the refresh rate to make the dual-monitor setup. 

Click on the search icon and search for the Display Settings option.

Scroll down and click on the Advanced Display Settings option. Under choose display, select the problematic monitor.  Click on Display adapter properties under display information. A pop-up window will appear. Click on the monitor tab.  Click the drop-down menu under monitor settings and select a new refresh rate. 

3. Connect the Wireless External Display

Follow the steps below to connect the wireless external display. This may help to resolve  Multi Monitor Setup Issues in Windows issue.

Open the Settings app on your system.

Click on the devices option. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle button.  Click on add Bluetooth or other devices. From the list, click on the wireless display or dock option. Confirm the wireless display that is on. Select the display that you want from the list. From there on, continue with the on-screen instructions. 

4. Update the Graphics Driver

A buggy, corrupted, or outdated driver can also cause the dual monitor setup issue. This can be solved by updating the graphics driver. Follow the steps below to update the graphics driver.

Open the Settings app on your system.

Click on the Update & security option. Click on Windows update.  Click on View additional updates.  Click on Driver updates. Select the driver from the list and update it.  Click on the download and install button. It will install the latest driver for your system.  You can also manually install it from the manufacturer’s website.  If windows update does not have the latest update, then check with the manufacturer’s website for the latest update. 

5. Uninstall the Graphics Card Driver

Follow the steps below to uninstall the graphics card driver.

Click on the search icon and search for Device Manager.

Expand the display adapters section. Right-click on the adapter and click on the Uninstall device option. It will delete the driver software. 

6. Roll back the Graphics Driver

Sometimes rolling back to the previous version of the graphics driver can solve this issue. Follow the steps below to roll back the graphics driver in Windows 10 and 11. 

Click on the search icon and search for Device Manager. 

Open Device Manager.  Expand the display adapters section. Right-click on the adapter and click on the Properties option. Move to the Driver tab. Click on the Roll Back driver button. Give the reason for rolling back from the list.  Click on Yes. Once you have completed the above steps, restart the system and check if the issue has been solved. 

7. Force Detect the Older Displays

Follow the steps below to force detect the older displays and fix the Multi-Monitor Setup Issues in Windows.

Click on the search icon and search for the Settings app.

Open the Settings app.  Click on the System option. Click on the detect button under the multiple displays section. Windows will start to scan for undetected displays and show them under the display section. If it didn’t detect the older displays, move to other methods. 

8. Scan For Hardware Changes

Sometimes Windows might automatically install the drivers for a newly installed device. If that detection fails, you can manually scan for the installed drivers in your system.

Press Windows + R key on your keyboard. Type devmgmt.msc and click on Ok.

Click on Action and select scan for hardware changes.

9. Restart the PC

Restarting your PC effectively solves many issues on your system, including the second monitor not detected issue.

When you restart your PC or laptop, it will close the other processes running in the background that interfere with the connection between your PC and the second monitor. 

10. Check the Display Adapter

If you can connect one external monitor and the second monitor is not detected, then it could be that your graphics card cannot support multiple monitors at the same time.

A display splitter also cannot help you as it will duplicate the same signal instead of creating two independent signals. 

For supporting multiple monitors, you should use a USB adapter for an extra video output port or a docking station. Now, check whether the Multi-Monitor Setup Issues in Windows issue is fixed.

11. Verify the Cable Connections

A loose cable can also cause this problem. Therefore, to be sure, unplug the cable and plug it in again, even if they seem well secured. 

12. Turn the Screen On and Off

Sometimes connections don’t like swapping when you turn on a different monitor. Therefore turn off the display and turn it on again. Now it will recognize it correctly and might display the second monitor. 

13. Remove Other Peripheral Devices

Disconnect all the unnecessary peripheral devices like cameras and so on. After disconnecting, check whether the display works properly. If it works properly, then they are probably interfering with your system. 

Hence find newer compatible accessories or use connections on your PC instead of a monitor. 

14. Update to Windows 11

Updating to Windows 11 can fix this issue as it has many new features. Once you update to Windows 11, go to the Display Settings option and look in the Multiple displays section.

Ensure that window locations based on the monitor screen option are enabled, which will solve this issue. 

15. Buy a New Monitor Cable For the Secondary Monitor

Your cable could be old and failing. This is possible if it is not shielded and experiences interference from Bluetooth, wifi, and any other electrical noise. Hence it is recommended to buy a new cable that has excellent shielding.  

16. Shorten the Cable Length

Try to pick a new cable that is shorter than the old cable. When the cable is longer, the data has to travel longer, and the data has to travel for a long time which could lead to interference.

Thus, the shorter cable can reduce artifacts and problems similar to that.