A monitor showing “No signal” can be connected to the wrong input, plugged into a cable or dock that cannot carry the signal, or disabled in Windows. Start with the simplest connection and change one thing at a time.
Six checks in order
- Confirm power and input. Open the monitor’s own menu and choose the port used by the cable, such as HDMI 1 or DisplayPort.
- Reseat the cable and try a known-working one. Connect it firmly at both ends. If you have another cable or a compatible port, try one change and check the result.
- Test without the dock or adapter. If both devices have a compatible connection, plug the monitor directly into the PC. For USB-C, verify that the specific PC port and cable support video.
- Check projection mode. Press Windows + P and choose Extend for a second desktop. If the screen remains blank, open Settings → System → Display and use Detect under Multiple displays.
- Swap one device if possible. Try the monitor with another computer or the computer with another display. Note which cable and port were used. A single successful combination helps narrow the issue.
- Check updates after the connection tests. If the direct connection still fails, check Windows Update and the PC or graphics vendor’s support page. If the fault began immediately after a graphics update, see Microsoft’s driver guidance before changing drivers.
What a direct connection tells you
Suppose HDMI works directly but the same screen fails through a USB-C dock. Focus on the dock, its power supply, the cable and video support on the USB-C port. Report the exact combination that worked.
Microsoft monitor troubleshooting · Microsoft multiple-display settings.
Related: used-laptop inspection checklist.
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