How to Fix 2nd Monitor Not Detected in Windows 11

This guide goes over how to fix 2nd monitor not detected in Windows 11 and also provides step-by-step solutions.

If you have issues with your 2nd monitor not detected on your screen in Windows 11, you are not alone. That’s a problem many users see after a Windows update, driver problem, or setting issue. Though a 2nd monitor is very useful for productivity, that problem is also very frustrating. But don’t worry, there are a lot of solutions to these issues.

Common Reasons Why 2nd Monitor Not Detected

Before getting into the fix for it, we should see what causes the 2nd monitor not detected:

Loose or faulty cable connection
Outdated or corrupted graphics driver
Incorrect display settings
Windows 11 update glitches
Hardware compatibility issues

Identifying the cause of it makes quick repair of the 2nd monitor not detected issue.

1. Check issues in the Cable and Hardware

When your 2nd monitor doesn’t show up, the first thing to do is check all physical connections.

Make sure that the HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, or USB-C cable is properly connected.
Try another cable or port.
Test out the second monitor on a different PC.

Many times, what we see is that the 2nd monitor isn’t detected because of a bad cable or port.

2. Reboot Your Computer

A quick reboot may fix the transient system issues in your 2nd monitor going out problem, after which Windows 11 will refresh the display drivers and have the system recognize attached monitors. Also, when you notice your 2nd monitor has stopped being detected, give a restart a try, which may help to resolve the issue and restore connectivity.

3. Use Windows 11 Display Settings

If your second monitor is not recognized, Windows may not be configured properly.

Click with the right mouse button on the desktop.
Set Display Settings.
Scroll down and click Detect.
Under “Multiple displays,” select Extend these displays.

If the issue of the 2nd monitor not being detected persists, move on to the next solution.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated and faulty drivers are a large cause of the second monitor not being detected in Windows 11. To update drivers:

Press Windows + X.
Open the Device Manager.
Extend Display adapters.
Click your graphics card with the right button.
Update the driver button, which you may select.

Updating your GPU drivers will permanently fix the issue of the 2nd monitor not being detected.

5. Reinstall Display Drivers

If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling drivers, which may fix the issue of your second monitor not being detected. Steps:

Open Device Manager.
Click the Graphics Adapter button in the right-click menu of the Graphics option.
Select Uninstall Device.
Reboot your PC.

Windows 11 will reimage the driver, which in turn will fix the 2nd monitor not detected issue.

6. Check Projection Mode

Sometimes the 2nd monitor is not detected, which is because of the incorrect projection mode.

Press Windows + P
Select Extend or Duplicate

If you choose “PC screen only,” the 2nd monitor issue will persist.

7. Update Windows 11

Windows has a tendency to include fixes for display issues in updates. If you’re experiencing that the second monitor isn’t detected, make sure your version of Windows is fully up to date.
Steps:

Go to Settings.
Go to Windows Update.
Press Check for updates.

Updating to the latest versions of software which in turn may include fixes for display issues will resolve the problem of the second monitor not being detected in Windows 11.

8. Check Input Source in Monitor

Ensure that your monitor’s input is what you think it is (HDMI, DP, VGA). Poor choice of input may cause the system to report that the 2nd monitor is not detected.

Conclusion

The issue of 2nd monitor not detected is usually due to driver problems, display settings, or hardware issues. By checking cables, updating drivers, adjusting display settings, and keeping Windows up to date, you may see that this also fixes the issue.

If you are still having issues with the 2nd monitor not being detected, try out the steps above, which may restore your dual monitor setup and get back to enjoying a smooth Windows 11 experience. Also, in the off chance that this is a hardware failure, you may want to get in touch with a tech.

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How to Fix 2nd Monitor Not Detected in Windows 11 – 8 Fixes