Windows does not detect second display after windows update.

Anonymous
2023-04-26T20:26:48+00:00

All drivers are freshly installed and up to date. Graphics card is barely a year old and all cables also checked. The monitor thats not detected does work also.

Everything worked until 2days ago when windows updated and now windows does not detect the second display.

Please help thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2023-04-26T21:02:02+00:00

Hello ScrP, welcome to the Microsoft community, I'll be happy to help you today;

I understand that after an update the second monitor is not detected;

What exactly is the model and manufacturer of your graphics card?

Are you using an HDMI cable to connect the second monitor?

Are you using a laptop or desktop?

Before answering the question, I suggest you try to force the detection of the second monitor;

Press Windows key + i and go to System;

Click Display;

Scroll down to Multiple screens, click Detect;

Then press the keys together: Windows key + P and select the Extend option;

Verify that the second monitor is detected;

See you soon!

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-27T19:07:38+00:00

    I had a similar issue after a recent MS software up date, but IT had our computers set up so that it required "Administrator Priveleges" in order update the display drivers etc. and the "Detect" monitor option under system settings was not detecting the second monitor. (Again, I was shut down as it was a Sunday and IT has our computer set to require "Administrator Priveleges." I also DID NOT change the settings or turn off the multiple monitor settings. I tired a simple restart first and that did not work.)

    HOWEVER, there is another "hack" to try if simply restarting does not work. Make sure the second monitor is powered on (mine even gave me a "No Signal" display before going into standby status). Using the working monitor, command the computer to "restart" and then immediately turn off the primary monitor. That forces the computer to find the second monitor on restart because the primary is off. On my monitor, the power indicator changed colors to show it left "standby" mode and was "on" and receiving a signal even though the second monitor does not receive any images until after I log in the way mine are set up. I then turned on the primary monitor which is where the log in screen is located and where it allowed me to log in and bingo! I had both monitors back.

    If your screens are set up like mine, even though the computer was forced to find it, I had to check the power button/status light on the second monitor to tell that it had been detected and was receiving a signal because my second screen always only receives a blank or black screen signal until after I logged in and it then extends the display to the second monitor. You can also "see" the difference in the screen itself because the standby screen is not being powered at all and when the computer detects it and turns it on to a blank or black screen it is actually a lighter shade of black because it is being backlit.

    Hope this helps someone with a simple "hack" that worked for me in a pinch.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-19T08:32:22+00:00

    I have done all this but it doesn't work

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-30T15:14:53+00:00

    the model of my graphicscard is: Nvidia Geforce rtx 5070, no a vga in the monitor and the other side in my graphics card a hdmi. desktop.

    I want to add that everything worked fine before i installed and moved everything to a new ssd.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-14T22:25:33+00:00

    Same for me. I was all set up and now it won't use the two other screens. Tried the windows P and it did not work.

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