If you’re having trouble getting your computer and monitor to see each other, you might have some issues with your cabling. The solution could be as simple as a loose cable or as complex as a faulty monitor. In either case, troubleshooting the issue should point you in the right direction.

If your monitor still won’t see your computer after checking all those things, it may need to be replaced. If you are experiencing issues trying to get your VGA cable to work between your computer and monitor, there are a few steps you can take before throwing your hands up in despair and purchasing a new monitor.

Open communication between these devices is essential for them to “see” each other and share data back and forth. Let’s take a look at some quick tips that might help get that pesky monitor detecting PC again!

 

Check Your Monitor’s Cable

The first thing you should do when trying to get your PC and monitor communicating with each other is to check the cable itself. Is it frayed? Is it plugged in properly? Is it the correct type of cable?

A VGA cable is the standard monitor cable used by many computers, but certainly not all. A DVI cable is another type of cable that can be used to connect a computer to a monitor, but it may not be compatible with all devices. If the cable itself is damaged, it may be preventing your computer and monitor from being able to communicate with each other.

 

Check the cable for visible issues such as fraying, exposed wires, or a damaged connector on either end. If the cable is damaged, you can replace it with a new one, but be sure you’re purchasing the correct type of cable for your device.

 

Check Your Computer’s Cables

In addition to checking your monitor’s cables, you should also check the cables that are plugged into the back of your computer. These cables are responsible for sending power to your monitor and transferring data between the two devices. If one of these cables is damaged, it could be causing the communication issues you’re experiencing. If the cable is damaged, you’ll need to replace it with a new one, but make sure you’re using the correct type of cable.

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Check your Video Card Settings

Your video card is responsible for communicating with your monitor. Before you throw your monitor out and go shopping for a new one, make sure your video card isn’t set to a different setting that’s blocking the monitor from being detected. If your video card is in a low-power state, it may prevent your monitor from being detected. You can check your video card settings to ensure it’s in the proper state.

 

Try a Different Port

If you’ve checked your cables and they’re plugged in properly, and your video card settings are correct, you may need to use a different port. Make sure your monitor is set to the same port as your computer. If you’ve plugged your monitor into an HDMI port on your computer, you may need to plug it into a different port, such as a VGA port, in order to get the devices communicating with each other.

DVI Port

HDMI Port

VGA Port

 

Reset Your Monitor and Computer

If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still getting no signal from your monitor, it may just need a bit of a reset. When you plug in your monitor, you should also plug in your computer simultaneously. This will cause your computer to reboot, and during this reboot, it will attempt to communicate with the monitor.

If your computer doesn’t see the monitor, it will attempt to communicate with the monitor again, but this time it will attempt to use a different port. If the above doesn’t work, you may need to replace the monitor. You can also try a different monitor if you have one. If all else fails, get your monitor checked by a technician.

Check for Other Issues

If you’ve tried all of the above and your monitor still doesn’t see your computer, there could be a larger issue at play. Before you throw your monitor out, it’s a good idea to run a few quick tests to make sure there aren’t any other issues at play. If you’re attempting to use HDMI and your monitor isn’t receiving a signal, there could be an issue with your monitor’s HDMI input. If you’re attempting to use an HDMI-to-VGA cable, there could be an issue with the cable itself or the settings on the device that you’re plugging into.

Resolution 

Another common cause of the no signal issue is the resolution configuration on the monitor. If the monitor's resolution is higher than the graphics card's resolution, try setting the resolution to a lower level. If this does not help, try adjusting the resolution on your graphics card. You can also try resetting your PC's display resolution. If the problem persists, you may need to upgrade the hardware.

You can boot your windows into safe mode to reset the resolution.

 

 Loose connections & power issues

Another common cause of a no signal error message on a PC monitor is an outdated connection. The signal may not be strong enough to pass through the old cables. The problem can also be caused by faulty wiring, loose connections, power problems, or interference from other electronics. If the monitor and computer are turned off, the no signal message will also appear.

 

Updating display drivers

Monitors that don't detect your PC can be caused by outdated or incompatible display drivers. In most cases, Windows will automatically detect and install the correct driver, but you can manually install the monitor driver yourself. You can find the driver for your monitor on the manufacturer's website or by pressing Windows + X. Then, follow the installation wizard. To ensure that your monitor is recognized, you need to install the driver in compatibility mode.

 

If your PC still doesn't detect your second monitor, you can try changing the settings in your PC's display preferences. You can change the settings to display only the PC's screen or use both displays. To use both screens simultaneously, select "duplicate display" and "extend display" to stretch the display over two monitors.

Sometimes, a monitor's display driver is outdated and is preventing the second display from detecting the PC. If you're unsure how to do this, you can visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest version

Bottom Line

If your monitor continues to refuse to “see” your computer, it may be time to replace it. Before you do, though, make sure you’ve checked all of the above for issues that may be causing the communication breakdown.