what do i need to connect laptop to monitor

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Connecting an external monitor to your PC or Mac laptop is pretty piece of cake. You'll just demand to detect out what type of output your laptop has, such equally HDMI, Thunderbolt, or USB-C. Once connected, you can use both screens at the aforementioned time or close your laptop to use the monitor like a desktop computer. This wikiHow article volition prove y'all how to find out what cable you'll need to connect your laptop to a monitor, and how to prepare your second monitor to mirror or extend your laptop's chief screen.

1
Make up one's mind your laptop's video output options. Near PC laptops have at least one port that can exist used for video output. The most mutual ports are HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C.^[one] There are a few main types of connections that your laptop may have:
- HDMI: This is a 6-sided trapezoid-shaped port that's most ¾ of an inch broad.
- DisplayPort: The size is similar to HDMI, merely ane of the corners is bent inwards while the other forms a 90-degree angle.
- USB-C: This is an oval-shaped port on many modern PC laptops. Not all USB-C ports support connecting to a monitor, though. You tin connect to a monitor with your USB-C port if you encounter one of the following:
  - If you see a lightning bolt with an pointer at the bottom next to the port, the port supports Thunderbolt three, and you can use a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3-compatible monitor.
  - If you meet an icon of a black "D" with a white "P" inside, the port supports DisplayPort, which means you can use a USB-C or DisplayPort-compatible monitor.
- VGA or DVI: Less common present are VGA ports, which are 15-holed ports with two pins on either side, and DVI ports, which have 24 holes and a gap on one side.
2

Determine your monitor'southward video input. Most modern monitors have HDMI, USB-C, and/or DisplayPort video inputs. If you have the same type of port on both the laptop and the monitor (such as HDMI on both), you tin can go a standard cable. Otherwise, you lot'll want to get an adapter to connect two dissimilar technologies, such as a USB-C to HDMI adapter, or an HDMI to VGA adapter. All of these adapter types are common and can be found anywhere electronics are sold.

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3

Utilise the cablevision to connect your laptop to the monitor. Plug on terminate of the cable into your laptop'due south video port, and the other end into your monitor's video input port. Use an adapter to bridge the connection if necessary.
4
Plug in and plow on the monitor. Attach your monitor to a power source (eastward.g., an electrical outlet), then printing the monitor's Ability button.
- Once continued, you should see your laptop's desktop and icons (or some variation thereof) appear on the monitor'south screen, yous can proceed with setting upwards your laptop's display settings.
- If you are using a monitor or Tv that has multiple inputs, yous will need to select the port you connected your laptop to on the monitor.
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1

Open your Windows Settings . You can do this by clicking the gear icon in your Windows Start menu, or by pressing Windows key + I on the keyboard.
2

Click Organisation . If y'all're using Windows x, it'll be the computer icon in the Settings window. If yous take Windows 11, it's the first option in the left menu.
3

Click Display . It's in the left panel on Windows 10, and in the right console on Windows xi.^[ii]
iv
Select a display option. At present yous can choose whether you want to mirror or extend your displays:
- If yous're on Windows 10, click the drib-down menu under "Multiple Displays." On Windows 11, click the driblet-down menu to the right of the "Identify" push button.
- Select Indistinguishable these displays if y'all desire to see the same verbal matter on both screens at the same fourth dimension.
- Select Extend these displays if you want to use the second monitor as a continuation of your desktop infinite. This lets you elevate windows between screens.
- Select Bear witness simply on ane if you want to use the monitor labeled "1" equally your only monitor. This is your laptop's congenital-in screen. Choosing this volition turn off the external monitor.
- Select Bear witness only on two to only show your laptop's contents on the monitor that's labeled "ii," which is the external monitor. This turns off your laptop'south congenital-in screen as long as the external monitor is connected.
5
Cull a principal display. If y'all're duplicating/mirroring your screens, skip this step. But if you're using two monitors together as an extended desktop, you'll desire to choose which monitor is the main display, which is where apps open up past default:
- Click the Identify push button to display each monitor's number each screen information technology's assigned to.
- Click the brandish you lot want to make your master display.
- Select Brand this my main display nether "Multiple displays."
six
Rearrange your screens. The position of each rectangle in the Display window should reflect the placement of your monitors. For case, if your second monitor is to the left of your laptop'south principal screen on your desk, y'all'll desire the rectangle that represents your second monitor on the left side of the primary monitor rectangle. Elevate the rectangles for each monitor until they friction match your desk's setup, then click Apply.
- If y'all're extending your desktop, y'all tin test the new setup past moving your mouse in the management of the other monitor—the cursor will announced on the other screen when moved in the right direction.
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one

Connect a keyboard and mouse to your laptop. Employ your laptop with the lid closed (optional). If you desire to employ your external monitor as the simply monitor when your laptop's lid is closed, you lot'll need to brand sure y'all have a keyboard and mouse that you tin can use while you can't access the laptop's built-in keyboard and trackpad.
2

Connect your laptop to a power source. Your laptop will go to sleep when you shut the lid if yous don't connect it to a power source first.
three

Open the Windows Command Panel. You tin do this by clicking the Search icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, typing control panel, and clicking Command Panel in the results.
4

Click Ability Options . If you don't see this selection, click the menu at the top-right and select Small icons or Big icons and yous'll see it then.
v

Click Choose what closing the chapeau does . Information technology'south in the left panel.
6

Click the menu next to "When I close the lid" in the "Plugged in" cavalcade. Several options will appear.
7
Select Do nothing from the menu. This tells Windows not to shut downward if you close the chapeau of your laptop as long as the laptop is plugged in.
- If you choose this option for "On bombardment," the 2d monitor will stay on even if you shut the laptop if you're non plugged in. This could drastically subtract the life of your battery, then it's non recommended.
eight

Click Save changes . Now, as long equally your laptop is plugged in, y'all can close the lid without turning off your external monitor.

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one
Find your MacBook'south video output. You lot'll demand to make sure you have a port on your Mac that is uniform with an input on your monitor. But if your monitor and your laptop don't have the same ports, don't worry—in about cases, you tin can get an adapter that can bridge ii video types, such as Thunderbolt to HDMI, which makes it possible to use nearly any type of monitor with your MacBook. These are the connections your MacBook may have:
- Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt USB 4: An oval port with a lightning bolt, found on all MacBook Pros offset in 2016, and MacBook Airs beginning in 2018.^[3]
- USB-C: An oval port without a lightning bolt icon. 12" MacBook Pros from 2015, 2016, and 2017 have these.^[four]
- HDMI: A six-sided tapered port found on 2021 MacBook Pros, equally well as MacBook Pros from 2012 to 2015.^[5]
- Thunderbolt ane, Thunderbolt 2, or Mini DisplayPort: The original Thunderbolt ports both have 6 sides and are not oval-shaped. You lot'll see a lightning commodities icon near this port on MacBook Air models from 2011-2017, and MacBook Pros from 2011-2015. On MacBook Pro and Air models fabricated betwixt 2008 and 2010, you'll see a square with 2 vertical lines instead.
- If you're not sure which port you tin can use for a monitor, go to https://support.apple tree.com/specs, select your model, and notice the ports under "Charging and Expansion."
ii
Discover your monitor's video input. Look at the back of your monitor for ports labeled "Input" or that like the port you institute on your MacBook. If you don't take identical ports on both devices, you lot can usually get an adapter that will connect the two.
- Most all modern Apple monitors volition work with Thunderbolt 3, four, USB iv, and USB-C. Most of these monitors come with a cable that will fit into these ports and piece of work immediately.
- Many non-Apple monitors besides support Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt iv, USB 4, USB-C, and HDMI.
3
Get a cablevision and an adapter if necessary. If your MacBook and monitor don't take matching ports, you can employ an adapter to span two unlike cable types, such as Thunderbolt iii to HDMI.^[6] In that location'southward an adapter for nearly any two types of cables, and y'all can detect them anywhere computers are sold (including the Apple Store). If you're dislocated most which cable to go, this should help:
- MacBooks with Thunderbolt 4: Use a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt iii, or USB-C cable to connect to whatever of these types of monitors. You can also employ an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor.
- MacBooks with Thunderbolt iii and Thunderbolt USB 4: Use a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable to connect to either of these monitor types. Yous can also utilise an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor.
- MacBooks with USB-C: Apply a USB-C cable to connect to a USB-C monitor. You lot can also use an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor.
- MacBooks with Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt ii, and Mini DisplayPort : Use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect to Mini DisplayPort monitor, or an adapter to DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitors.
iv

Employ the cable to connect your laptop to the monitor. Plug on end of the cable into your MacBook's video port, and the other terminate into your monitor's video input port. If an adapter is required, connect the cables with adapter to span them.
v
Plug in and turn on the monitor. Attach your monitor to a power source (e.one thousand., an electrical outlet), then printing the Power push button. In almost cases, you should see your MacBook's screen (either extended or mirrored) on the second monitor.
- If you are using a monitor or TV that has multiple inputs, you may need to select the port y'all continued your laptop to on the monitor. Press the button that says "Input", "Source". or "Video Select" or something similar on the monitor or remote.
- If y'all don't see your MacBook'southward screen on your monitor, you may need to discover the brandish. On your MacBook, click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, click Displays, then click Detect Displays.^[7]
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Open your Mac's System Preferences… . You'll observe it in the Apple menu, which is at the top-left corner of the screen. This is where you can command how your second screen acts on your MacBook.
ii

Click Displays . It'south the monitor icon in the Arrangement Preferences window. This takes yous to the Display tab.
3

Click the Arrangement tab. It's at the pinnacle of the window.
4
Remove the checkmark from "Mirror Displays." If you want both screens to display the same thing at all times, leave the checkmark in place. But if you want the 2nd monitor to act every bit a 2nd desktop to give yous more than space for multitasking, don't check this option.
- If your plan is to shut the laptop and utilize the second monitor as your only monitor, mirroring is the option you'll want.
5
Cull the primary monitor. Y'all'll meet two rectangles at the center of the window—1 represents your built-in monitor, and the other represents your external monitor. A sparse white bar runs forth the tiptop of the rectangle that'south set equally your principal monitor, which is your laptop's congenital-in screen by default.
- If you want your external monitor to be the master monitor, click and hold the white bar with the mouse, and then drag it to the other monitor. The menu bar volition merely announced on the primary display.
- If y'all want to keep your laptop as your primary monitor, you don't accept to alter anything here.
6
Rearrange the screens (optional). The position of each rectangle in the Brandish window should reflect the placement of your monitors. For example, if your 2d monitor is to the left of your laptop's primary screen on your desk, you lot'll want the rectangle that represents your 2d monitor on the left side of the principal monitor rectangle. Drag the second screen to its bodily position then the organization looks how information technology does in real life.
- This makes it so yous tin hands drag a window from one monitor to another without having to gauge which direction to drag it in.
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one

Connect a keyboard and mouse to your MacBook. If you want to use your second monitor equally your only monitor while your MacBook's lid is closed, you'll need a mouse and keyboard that work with your Mac.
2
Plug your MacBook in to a power source. Yous can only utilize a 2nd monitor as your just monitor on your Mac laptop when it is connected to a power source. If your MacBook is not plugged in, your external monitor will turn off when you close the lid of your MacBook.
- This is also chosen "closed lid manner" or "closed clamshell way."
3
Turn on screen mirroring. If yous want the external monitor to brandish the aforementioned thing you'd see on your laptop's main monitor, you lot'll want to mirror the screens. Here's how:
- Click the Apple tree carte du jour and select Organisation Preferences.
- Click the Arrangement tab.
- Cheque the box next to "Mirror Displays."
4
Adjust your energy saving settings. To prevent your screen from turning off when the hat is closed:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Battery.
- Drag the slider at the summit all the way to the right (to "Never").
5

Close the chapeau of your MacBook. Now when yous close your MacBook, your external monitor will deed as the only monitor.

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Add New Question

Question

How do I hook up ii monitors to my laptop? My laptop will only apply 1 at a fourth dimension. Both are hooked upwardly, one to VGA and the some other continued to HDMI.

Maybe your laptop has hardware restrictions. Bank check your graphics card to see the maximum monitors information technology supports.
Question

My laptop has crashed. Information technology is 10 months onetime, and now I can't go into the files. Can I use a monitor to go out of import files?

Hypercharge2

Community Reply

The monitor merely lets you see the prototype on the screen or add an extra display. You should try the disc recovery tool.
Question

Can I just plug in?

Pretty much; if you lot have an old monitor you lot should plug in a vga cablevision and the power cable. If you have a newer monitor, you demand an hdmi cable with the power cord.
Question

My laptop screen is cleaved. Can I employ my laptop screen with an external monitor?

Khumbulani

Community Answer

Yes, you tin can as long as you've got the required cable to connect the two.
Question

Why does the audio cut out when I employ the monitor?

That is probably because your monitor doesn't have any speakers; try plugging in speakers or headphones and see if that works.
Question

The screen on my Toshiba C350-1LQ keeps going dark. A torch shows it's all happening on the screen, but difficult to come across. It keeps happening, then the screen was replaced two weeks ago, and now it'due south happened again. What practise I practice?

Mayhap you could effort making the screen brighter. Nearly laptop computers will come up with hotkeys that adjust the screen brightness.
Question

Why is my DVI not sourcing on my monitor?

Go to Settings, Organization, Display, and click on Discover to detect the monitor. Then you can choose the mode you desire to expand your display.
Question

How can I view the data from one laptop on another laptop? The screen is broken.

You would have to select a setting to share your screen from the broken-screened laptop to the working one, just as it is broken, this cannot be done. The only way to get your data dorsum is to recover your hard drive.
Question

How do I connect my laptop to a monitor if it only has an HDMI port but the monitor is VGA?

Apply an HDMI-to-VGA adapter. Yous will need a VGA cable as well to connect the adapter to the monitor.
Question

My hp i5 laptop screen is broken. How tin can I go visuals on an HD television set? I'm using a0HDMI cable but it won't piece of work.

Jarod Smith

Community Answer

Some of them crave y'all to utilise F8 to transfer to the Tv set. The only other selection is to try to replace it.

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Video

DisplayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3 and later, and USB-C tin can all acquit audio, meaning that your monitor's speakers should be able to transmit your laptop'southward audio output if you lot're using one of these connections.
If you are using an older video cable, you may not exist able to get sound on your Tv. You can transmit sound to an external ready of speakers using the headphone port on your laptop. Use a 3.5mm auxiliary cable to connect to your headphone port. Use an adapter to connect to the speakers or sound input, if needed.
If your monitor isn't displaying your laptop's contents, you may have a faulty cable. Endeavour connecting with a different cable, or using a unlike connector if possible.

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Article Summary X

one. Locate the laptop's video output types.
2. Look for the monitor's video input type.
3. Connect a cablevision that fits a port on each device.
4. Power on the monitor and select the video source your laptop is connected to.
five. Right-click the Windows desktop and select Brandish settings.
vi. Scroll down and click Detect.
7. Click Multiple Displays.
8. Select a display setup.

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