Windows 11 cannot detect second monitor.

Anonymous
2023-06-16T20:50:49+00:00

I just purchased a new laptop that’s running Windows 11. I am trying to set up duel monitors. When I click ‘Detect’ I get ‘We didn’t find another display’.  I am using an HDMI cable to connect the second monitor to my laptop. Both screens work, but they are a mirror image. There’s no way showing to change that setting because the second monitor was not detected. No good.

I set up the second monitor on my main workstation that’s running Windows 10. No problem. Monitor was detected and set as ‘Extended’. Worked fine.

I reviewed everything I could find about this issue. I tried all the suggested fixes. Nothing worked. All available drivers are up to date, etc., etc.

Another thing I tried was hitting the Windows Key + P. That procedure did identify both monitors. In the settings it did show an option to detect the monitors. When I clicked ‘Detect’ it still came back with ‘We didn’t find another display’ I was able to changed the setting to ‘Extended’. I thought I had it working. However, all I get on the second monitor is the background screen, nothing else. No programs show up. I do get the toolbar. But when I click a toolbar link on the main monitor it activates on the second monitor. It’s a mess.

Has anyone had this problem? Is there a fix?

Thank you for any assistance.

Glenn

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2024-12-21T00:49:25+00:00

I can say with full confidence that this might work for you. Definitely worked for me !

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-02T17:39:02+00:00

    i have the same issue and i can´t find a solution for this. the hard reset did not do anything here.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-27T23:22:15+00:00

    I have the same problem on my desktop. I have one screen with HDMI and the other with VGA. W11 suddenly refused to detect my VGA screen if I had my HDMI also plugged in. If I unplug the HDMI screen then W11 detected and use my VGA as main screen no problem bu as soon as I would add the HDMI back, W11 would refuse to detect the VGA. Despite having tried extend on the desktop system display menu then detect to no avail.

    Only Windows Key + P and selecting "extend" solved my issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-22T07:19:02+00:00

    Tried everything else - uninstalling/reinstalling, turning the laptop on/off... nothing worked. I disabled & re-enabled the Nvidia driver. Nope. Tried the same with the Intel driver. 2nd monitor came up immediately. Thank you!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-13T10:27:15+00:00

    Looks like we finally have a solution, If you have problems with programs that need high graphics that is a good indicator of the same problem.

    In the BIOS settings under graphics configuration - advanced - display mode - change from dynamic to dgpu only.

    I think there's a glitch with windows automatically switching to external GPU or maybe it's the GPU, not sure but it works now for all software and multiple monitors.

    Hope that helps everyone.

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