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Screen Goes Black When Connected to External Monitor [Fix]
Wrong cables and bad drivers are a few of the causes of this error
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Imagine this scenario: you just bought abrand new 4K monitor, and you’re ready to connect to yourgaming laptop, so you enjoy playing video games in a gorgeous resolution.
But then, when you connect the external monitor to your computer, your laptop’s main screen goes black. So what gives? Put it: you have a severe connection problem that needs to be fixed quickly.
What causes this connection problem with my monitor?
Your computer’s monitor going black can be caused by many things, from faulty hardware to out-of-date software. Below is a list pointing out some of the more common culprits.
How can I stop my external monitor from going black?
There are several ways to fix this error. Most of the time, it’s usually something that was overlooked. All you need to do is adjust some settings. But there are instances where it’s a more serious problem.
1. Use the main monitor instead
2. Update drivers
In case you require an automatic process to update your monitor drivers and get the latest official version, the software below is the right fit.
Outbyte Driver Updater
3. Double-check Windows Presentation mode
4. Perform a system reset
What can I do if the laptop isn’t detecting my second monitor?
If your laptop is having difficultydetecting a second monitor, you could perform any of the previously mentioned solutions, like installing new drivers or performing a system restore.
It’s also recommended that you run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, which can be found in the Control Panel if you don’t want to revert your computer to its factory settings.
If you own a High DPI monitor, you should learnhow to fix the scaling issue on Windows 11. According to online reports, the scaling issue causes on-screen content to look blurry and even flicker.
You can fix this problem just by tweaking the Windows Display settings or adjusting the DPI Scaling feature on each app; however, the latter option can be pretty time-consuming.
And before you leave, find out how to fix things when thescreen turns off while charging, a problem reported with the internal display and an external monitor.
Feel free to comment below if you have other display problems. Also, leave comments below about reviews or specific guides you’d like to see for Windows 11.
More about the topics:fix monitor,second monitor issues,Windows 11
Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar has been writing for and about technology going on for 6 years when he first started writing tech articles for his university paper. Since then, his passion for technology blossomed into a prosperous writing career. He first started writing about tech in the entertainment world and would later move on to write about smart life tech and social media. He was recently a Technical Writer for tech company Extron where he wrote user guides for audio and video equipment.
He has since moved on to being a freelance writer looking to have a career in copywriting and hopes to share his love and knowledge of technology with the world. Recently, Cesar has written for the cryptocurrency news site, BTCPro and helping people understand tech.
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Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar is a tech expert passionate about Windows, Microsoft, and anything surrounding the world of PCs.
