How to Fix Windows 11 Not Detecting Second Monitor

Are you frustrated by your Windows 11 operating system not recognizing your second monitor? Don’t worry; this is a common issue and one that we can help you fix!

Like previous Windows versions, Windows 11 also comes with the amazing feature of extending your display to a second monitor. But, if this feature is not working properly on your system, it can be very annoying. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to try and fix the issue so that your Windows 11 will start detecting your second monitor again.

In this blog post, you will learn the various ways to address this problem and get your second monitor working as intended with Windows 11. Follow along, and soon enough, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of your extra monitor once again.

Why Is Windows 11 Not Detecting Second Monitor?

Before moving on to the solutions, it is important to understand why this issue may occur in the first place. There are various reasons that can cause Windows 11 not detecting your second monitor. Here are the most common ones:

• Faulty HDMI cable: The HDMI cable that is used to connect the two monitors may be damaged or not working properly.
• Incorrect settings: Sometimes, the display settings need to be adjusted on the computer in order for it to recognize a second monitor.
• Display drivers are outdated: Outdated display drivers can cause various issues on Windows 11, including a second monitor not detected.
• Faulty second monitor: The second monitor itself may be malfunctioning, leading to it being undetected by Windows 11.

Now that you know the possible causes of this issue, let’s move on to the solutions.

How to Fix Windows 11 Not Detecting Second Monitor?

Here are some fixes that you can try if Windows 11 is not recognizing your second monitor.

Fix 1: Check the HDMI Cable

The first step is to make sure that the HDMI cable you are using to connect the two monitors is properly functioning. Faulty HDMI cable can cause No signal issue. Also, check for any visible damage or fraying on the cable, and if any is found, replace it with a new one.

Other than that, you should also make sure that the cable is connected securely to both the monitors and to the computer.

Fix 2: Restart Your System

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple restart of the computer to get your second monitor working again. So, restart your system and check if that solves the issue. Restarting the system has worked for many users, so it is worth giving a try.

Fix 3: Update Your Display Drivers

Outdated display drivers can also cause issues like a second monitor not being detected. Therefore, it is recommended to check for any available updates for your display drivers and install them if found. This can be done from the Device Manager in Windows 11.

Here are the steps for that:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
2. Under the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters.
3. Now, right-click on your Display driver and select the Update driver option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to successfully update the display adapter.

Fix 4: Roll Back the Display Driver

If the display driver is updated to a new version but isn’t working properly, you can try rolling back the driver.

Here is how to do that:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
2. Under the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters.
3. Now, right-click on your Display driver and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to successfully roll back the display adapter.

Fix 5: Re-Install Display Driver

If the issue persists, you can try re-installing the display driver. This will remove any corrupt files and reinstall a fresh version of the driver that could fix any issues with it.

Here is how to do that:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
2. Under the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters.
3. Now, right-click on your Display driver and select Uninstall device.
4. Confirm the uninstallation process and restart your computer when prompted.
5. After this, Windows 11 will automatically install a fresh version of the display adapter.
6. You can also do that manually by launching the Device Manager, clicking the Action tab, and selecting Scan for hardware changes option.

Fix 6: Check Monitor Settings

The issue may be related to incorrect settings inside the monitor. To make sure this isn’t causing the issue, open up the monitor’s settings and check if it is set to detect a second monitor.

Make sure that your display is in duplicate or extended mode so that both monitors are displayed correctly.

Fix 7: Adjusting Resolution

If your monitor is in duplicate or extended mode, but the display still isn’t working properly, you can try adjusting its resolution. Go to the Settings app and select System > Display. From there, you can adjust the resolution of both monitors to get them working properly.

Conclusion

These were some solutions that you can try if Windows 11 is not detecting your second monitor. Make sure to check the HDMI cable, restart the system, update/roll back/re-install the display driver, check monitor settings, and adjust the resolution for the proper functioning of both monitors. Hopefully, these steps will help you fix this issue with ease.

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