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In Windows 10, connecting a second monitor is a convenient way to extend your work environment to work with multiple applications, edit videos and even play games on your desktop or laptop.

Although setting up an external display is usually an easy process, sometimes Windows 10 doesn’t recognize the second monitor due to outdated drivers or hardware issues. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take after resolving this issue, including checking the connection and installing the correct drivers, to resolve the problem in no time at all.

This Windows 10 guide will walk you through troubleshooting the issues that prevent the second monitor from being automatically detected on your device.

Fix Second Monitor Not Recognized in Windows 10

You can start with the following basic troubleshooting tips http://windowsbulletin.com/display-problem-windows-10-cannot-detect-second-monitor/. These can solve your problem if the second monitor is not recognized before you need to investigate other issues.

• Make sure that you are using the correct cable to connect your PC and the second monitor. If the cable is damaged or defective, Windows will not recognize the second monitor. If you have replaced the cable and the new cable works with your display setup, it means that the old one is faulty.
• Disconnect any accessories, such as connected adapters, dongles or docking stations, that may cause hardware conflicts between your PC and the second monitor.
• Try using the second PC monitor with a different system to see if the problem is related to the main system or monitor.
• Make sure that the second monitor is connected to a power source. Some monitors have a switch on the back to turn on the screen.
• Make sure the correct input (HDMI, DVI, etc.) is selected using the built in controls on your monitor.
• Connect another working monitor to see if the problem is related to the video card.
• You may need to update the firmware of the display that you are setting up as a second monitor to correct problems or compatibility errors. You can do this by checking the support page on the monitor manufacturer’s website to see how to apply the latest firmware update.

Rollback the display driver

If you are having problems after the update, returning the display driver to an earlier version or rolling back the problem may solve the problem. To restore the driver:

• Enter Device Manager in the search box on the taskbar.
• Select Device Manager from the list to open it. Then click the arrow to expand the Graphics Cards section.
• Right-click on the graphics card, select Properties, click on the “Driver” tab, and select “Reset Driver”. If you don’t see a reset option, reinstall the display driver.

Are you still having problems?

If you’ve tried the steps in this article or can’t find a solution to your problem, use the Windows Feedback Center to report the error.

Provide details about what you did or the specific steps you took at the time of the problem. Log into the Feedback Center and follow the instructions to summarize and describe your problem. Then select a category and add enough additional information to recreate the problem again. Your information may help Microsoft determine the root cause of this problem.