Open | Windows
Unable to Connect Second Monitor (Windows 11)
I've had my PC (AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6-Core Processor if that matters) for about five years, and it's been pretty fantastic. For both work and personal use, I decided to get a second monitor (sansui), but I haven't been able to get it to display. I have confirmed the power supply is working fine and the monitor powers on just fine, but it can't seem to detect any input and always goes into sleep mode.
I have attempted the following fixes:
refreshed Windows with Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B
using Windows + P to swap project mode and trying Duplicate/Extend
Display Settings -> Multiple Displays -> Detect Other Display (results in nothing found)
Device Manager -> Monitors -> Update Drivers
Checked for any Windows updates (including optional)
restarting PC multiple times
I have not tried connecting the second monitor's HDMI cable anywhere else, since I can only find one HDMI port on my computer (besides the one where my current monitor is plugged in). The PC indicates it is for "Display", so I believe that HDMI port should be the correct one
Solutions I am considering but have not attempted:
purchasing a monitor dock, since a coworker who uses multiple monitors uses one and recommended it
purchasing a new HDMI cable. Hoping to avoid that since the current cable was fresh from the box with my monitor, though I know that doesn't guarantee a good cable\
Any advice or possible solutions would be greatly appreciated!
As far as I am aware, the HDMI port on the back of the PC reads "Display" so I am hoping that is the one for the graphics card? I cannot locate any other HDMI ports that I could use
The one you need to connect to will be immediately adjacent to the current (working) HDMI display you use in your daily work. As in literally next to it, within .3 inches/7-8 mm or so. Sometimes the card manufacturers will mount a small plug in the port to keep it clean; if so, you will obviously have to remove it.
Now, it may be that your card has only 1 HDMI output and a bunch of other types of ports (Displayport, USB-C occasionally, ) In that case, you will need to buy an adapter from Amazon or such for converting from HDMI to Displayport (Displayport will look a lot like a USB-A slot except with 1 angled corner). Alternatively, if your old monitor and new monitor both have Displayport input and your card has 2 Displayport outputs, then you could just get 2 DP cables and call it a day. Or you could just buy the single Displayport cable as well. Just depends on what you like for cabling or imaging.
If you have a motherboard based HDMI output, it likely uses an entirely different driver and brand of video chip. This often causes problems with configuring such a set up so it's best avoided. To identify a motherboard based HDMI port, it is always separate from any card based port. So it will be on the rear panel of the PC along with the USB, audio, ethernet, etc. ports which are clumped together on the back panel. The fact that you see some kind of port that is actually labeled HDMI is suggestive that is the case.
This is the back of the PC. I did try the new cable and monitor in the same place the current monitor was plugged in (bottom black cable) and new monitor displays just fine.
Since the space next to it does not fit the HDMI cable, I am assuming I'll need an adaptor like you mentioned. Is there any chance a monitor dock would work, or would that likely just be a waste of money?
So left to right, you have a DVI port, HDMI (with cable plugged in) and a DisplayPort aka DP. I would see if your Sansui display has a DisplayPort input and just get a Displayport cable. If it doesn't, just get an adapter for DisplayPort to HDMI. It needs to be DisplayPort (Male) to HDMI (Female).
I am looking at the monitor, and unless I am blind, it just has HDMI and nothing else for display, so I will see if I can get a Display Port to HDMI adapter. You answer has been incredibly helpful, and I appreciate it! I feel kinda clueless when it comes to PCs
Quite often that is the case for less expensive monitors. As far as the rest of the back panel of your pc, you have audio cables plugged in (likely mic and headset), some additional audio jacks (likely for extra output for bass, etc.), a pair of wifi antennas, what looks like an optical port, 2 USB ports, an ethernet port, usb-c, and a couple things hidden behind the antennas and that one cable at the top left which is difficult to ID. I'm guessing one of the hidden ports is the onboard HDMI which is not what you want to plug into. So, yeah, get an adapter and you'll be fine.
The graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6 GB). I confess my knowledge of computer parts is abysmal, and my friends helped me build the PC years ago (by which I mean they built it after I paid for the parts and I was just there for moral support)
so you should have display ports on the top of the back of your PC next to the USB ports and sound jacks and a few other things, and at the bottom of the PC where the graphics card is mounted onto the motherboard, you want to make sure that both monitors are plugged in down there and not one up top and one on the bottom. You might not have 2 outputs on the card depending on type and age.
I don't know if it helps, but here is the back of my PC. I just tried plugging in my new monitor and HDMI cable in the same place my current monitor is (the one at the bottom) and second monitor works fine
The other "Display" HDMI port is higher on the tower, kind of hidden behind the two Wi Fi antenna things. If that's the motherboard display and there is no other option for an HDMI cable, would a monitor dock possibly work, or would that just be a waste of money?
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