A second monitor will definitely increase your productivity, especially if your work requires running multiple programs simultaneously. Windows 10 users have also faced similar issues while using two monitors and as you have probably guessed, the solutions to fix the problem are very similar. There can be several reasons why the OS can’t detect the second monitor and we compiled a list of all the probable factors that may cause this problem.

Why is my second monitor not registering?

As you know, you need to use the HDMI port or the VGA port on your computer to connect a second monitor with it. But any issue with the ports or the cables can be the reason why your second monitor is not registering. However, the error message you find in the Settings app doesn‘t offer too many details and just writes We didn’t find another display. Thus, a preliminary measure will be to check and confirm the physical ports of your PC are working, and the cable you are using is in good condition. Apart from that, if you haven’t updated your display driver in recent times, it can lead you to the issue. An outdated graphics card driver may create compatibility errors. That can cause your secondary display not to be detected. No matter the reason behind the problem, here we have jotted down all the easy workarounds that can fix the Windows 11 not detecting second monitor issue. If you are using Windows 10 and the OS is not detecting the secondary display, do not hesitate to check this guide on how to fix Windows 10 not detecting the second monitor.

How do I fix Windows 11 not detecting second monitor?

1. Restart your PC

Restarting your PC is the easiest solution to apply if the second display is not detecting. It can be a temporary problem, and a simple restart of Windows is enough to fix it. In fact, the resolution has worked on Windows 10 PCs as well.  If you are using a laptop connected to an external monitor for a better viewing experience, then simply closing its lid is said to work for many users. Often the reason behind the error can be a conflicting program that is running in the background. However, when you restart the computer, the program running gets closed, and you may get away from the issue.

2. Update the display driver

An outdated display driver can cause conflicts between the software and hardware components of your PC. SPONSORED Thus, if you haven’t updated the display driver in recent times, following the steps above will update it and fix the issue. You can opt for driver update software tools such as DriverFix to keep your display driver updated automatically. 

3. Change the display frequency

Having a different refresh rate on the second monitor can cause a temporary software conflict on your system. Eventually, that may lead to Windows not detecting the monitor. However, you can resolve the issue by changing the display frequency settings.

4. Roll-back the graphics card driver

Occasionally, an updated driver version comes with bugs. Rolling back to the previous version will resolve the problem in that case.

How do I get Windows to recognize my monitor?

If your Windows is not recognizing the second monitor automatically, you can force your OS to detect it. Follow the below steps to do so: Once you follow the steps properly and your second monitor is connected to the power supply and the computer, it will surely be detected by your machine.   At times, the operating system doesn’t detect the second monitor automatically; thus, manually detecting it is always an option.  Customizing your second monitor improves the usability of your computer. You can use the second display to run games or any particular application.

How do I customize my second monitor?

While using a second monitor with your PC, Windows offers four different options. Depending on your need, you can select one and start working with it. Here is an overview of how to customize your second monitor as per your work requirement. As you connect the second display with your computer, Windows 11 will mirror your primary display on it. If you need to change the usability, follow the steps below.

PC screen only will allow you to see things on a single display The Extend mode will let you see your desktop across multiple screens where it’s possible to use two displays for different activities The Duplicate option comes by default as it mirrors the primary display on the second one With The Second screen only feature, you can see everything only on the second screen

There are various dual monitor software tools available that may help improve your experience in a dual monitor setup. Third-party dual monitor solutions allow you to customize a lot more than you can usually do on Windows. Hope the workarounds were helpful to you. Do not hesitate to use the comments section below to tell us which method worked for you.

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