5 Way to Troubleshoot External Monitor Not Detecting Windows 10

Mar. 09, 2023 / Updated by Renata to Windows 10

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Adding an extra display to a desktop computer allows you to split the screen to handle things while working, or open two games at the same time. All in all, multiple displays look cool and are also practical. On Windows 10 system, connecting a second monitor for an external display is usually a straightforward process, sometimes, Windows 10 may not detect older displays or second monitors due to drivers or hardware-related issues. However, if your computer has a problem, this article summarized several troubleshooting steps to fix the unrecognized / unconnectable issue:

Solution1. Hardware Troubleshoot

Solution2. Update Driver

Solution3. Rollback Driver

Solution4. Reinstall Driver

Solution5. Manufacture Driver

Solution1. Hardware Troubleshoot

It could be a problem with the software resulting in the external monitor not detecting, however, it might also be an issue with the computer peripheral(monitor) itself.

You can start with basic hardware troubleshooting as the following steps:

1. Disconnect all accessories from your computer, because connected docks, dongles, adapters and other hardware can cause conflicts.

2. Check the cable connecting your computer to your external monitor is fine.

3. If you have another connecting cable, try a new one. The original connecting cable might be damaged.

4. Try using the external monitor with a different system. In this way, you can see whether the issue is cause by the monitor or the primary system.

5. If your system has more than one video output port, try plugging your external monitor into another video output ports(HDMI, VGA, DVI, and Display Port).

6. If your system has more than one display adapter, also called a graphics card, you can try switching your system’s default display adapter.

If your device only has one video output port, then by default, you can only support a single external monitor. You'll need one of the following to support more than one external monitor:


Docking station – To find out if there are docking stations available for your PC, contact the manufacturer of your computer.

USB adapter – If you have a USB-C port, you may be able to use a USB adapter to give your device an additional video output port.

If an external monitor is disconnecting, it might be a problem with display device. A driver is a software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware devices. Without drivers, the devices you connect to your computer—for example, a mouse or external hard drive—won't work properly. Windows can automatically check if there are drivers available for new devices that you connect to your computer.

To fix your hardware problems, you can troubleshoot the driver issues.

Solution2. Update Driver

If you are not familiar with computer application settings or modifications. It is recommended that you download a third-party driver software, so as not to make your computer worse.

Driver Talent is a free software for those who affected by driving issues. Thousands of drivers are configured in the software, suitable for Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, is also suitable for desktop and laptop.

Sometimes the driver automatically downloaded by the computer does not solve the problem. For this stubborn driver problem, Driver Talent provides various driver versions for download, unlike other driver updater providing the latest version for choose.

Download Driver Talent

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Driver Talent can solve 98% of drivers problems including but not limited to update, back-up, restore, pre-download, ect.

Once launch Driver Talent, you can check the computer driver’s situation for only one click, and it will show you all drivers on list.

In other way, you can update drivers by yourself:

1. Press WIN+X together and choose Device Manager

2. On the Device Manager, find out Display adaptors

3. Right-Click the graphic device

4. Select Update Driver(search automatically for drivers)

Solution3. Rollback Driver

There is recommend you should download a free driver updater---Driver Talent. You can easily download a former version of driver.

Since Driver Talent provides more versions of drivers, in addition to the latest version, there are earlier driver versions, just choose to download the earlier driver version.

Download Driver Talent

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In other way, you can Rollback drivers by yourself:

1. Press WIN+X together and choose Device Manager

2. On the Device Manager, find out Display adaptors

3. Right-Click the graphic device

4. Select properties

5. On the Driver tab, select Roll back Driver

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Solution4. Reinstall Driver

If you are worried that your operation will affect the normal operation of the computer, then choose to use Driver Talent to reinstall the driver.

There is recommend you should download a free driver updater---Driver Talent. You can easily back-up the operating driver and restore to the former one.

Download Driver Talent

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In other way, you can Rollback drivers by yourself:

1. Press WIN+X together and choose Device Manager

2. On the Device Manager, find out Display adaptors

3. Right-Click the graphic device

4. Select uninstall

5. Go back to action tab- scan for hardware changes

6. Reboot your computer, OS will install a new driver automatically

Solution5. Manufacture Driver

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager.

2. Select Device Manager from the list to open it. Then, select the arrow to expand the Display adapters section.

You’ll see the manufacturer's name and the name of your adapter or adapters.


Tags: second monitor, 

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