How to extend the display to external monitor(s)
Summary
This solutions article will go over two methods of extending the display from your laptop to an external monitor(s). Most of the laptops in the company are set up with a dual monitor setup. A docking station provides dual monitor support via a USB-C connection to the laptop. An alternative option will be using the HDMI port from the left side of the laptop. We will be going over both methods in configuring your display settings. Method 1 will go over the steps for extending a display from a docking station. Method 2 will go over the steps for extending a display from the HDMI port from the laptop.
Instructions
Instructional video found here.
Method 1
There are different models of docking stations out there, but it should be the same concept. Ensure the monitors are plugged into the docking station using the video cables and ensure both ends of the cables are snugged. Any loose video cable will prevent the monitors from being detected. You shouldn't see exposed metal from the video cable.
1. Plug the USB cable part of the docking station into the USB slot of the laptop. It doesn't matter which USB port is used. Some models will have one USB port on the left and one on the right. Give it a few seconds before going to step three to allow the computer to discover the signal.
Some docking stations will have an illuminated light to indicate it's connected.
2. Press Windows + I and go to System>Display, or right-click on a blank area of the screen wallpaper and select Display Settings.
3. Scroll down until you see Multiple displays. Click on the drop down and select "Extend xxxxxxx 1 and 2", and click apply. You will see a blue screen asking you if you want to Keep Changes, go ahead and click on the button. Note: If the laptop does not detect a signal, it will not give the option to extend to the monitors. It must show both monitors or you won't be able to display on both.
4. Once you click the Keep changes button, your screen may not orient correctly. Meaning that your mouse pointer does not move across the screen as it should. You will need to adjust how your screen is physically represented. Scroll back to the top of the Display menu until you see a representation of your monitors. It will look like boxes. The size of the box could be a different size depending on the resolution of the monitors.
Click the button Identify. Look at your monitors and look for the numbers that appear on the screen. Take note of where they are at. (Example: If the left monitor is 2 and the right is 1, then you will click and drag the box to the opposite side.) Sometimes you may not have to change anything. Your goal is to match the physical layout of actual monitors in the example diagram below. If you forgot the numbers, press the Identify button again.
Left-click and hold the button down and drag the box to match your physical layout.
5. Once you match your physical layout and click apply, you are done! Please test it out by dragging your mouse pointer across your screens.
Step 4 can be done with multiple configurations including your laptop screen. If you don't want to use the screen from your laptop, you'll need to change the setting for your laptop lid. Just type "lid" in the search bar field of the taskbar. Select Do Nothing. When you close the lid, you will be using only two screens instead of three. If you don't select Do Nothing, then your laptop will go to sleep, hibernate, or shut down depending on the setting.
Method 2
Using the HDMI to extend the display to an external monitor. This method will allow you to use an external monitor with your laptop. This is good if you want to share (mirror/duplicate) your screen or extend your screen from the laptop to give you more screen real estate. This is good for when working from home or you are at a meeting and you need to share your screen via HDMI cable.
1. Ensure you are using a good HDMI cable. Older cables may not work.
2. Plug the HDMI cable into the left or right side of the laptop. Ensure the cable is snug. Give it a few seconds before going to step three to allow the computer to discover the signal.
3. Press Windows + I and go to System>Display, or right-click on a blank area of the screen wallpaper and select Display Settings.
4. Scroll down until you see Multiple displays. Click on the drop-down and select "Extend xxxxxxx", and click apply. You can also select Duplicate if you want to share your screen. You will see a blue screen asking you if you want to Keep Changes, go ahead and click on the button. Note: If the laptop does not detect a signal, it will not give the option to extend to the monitors. It must show the monitor or you won't be able to display it.
5. Once you click the Keep changes button, your screen may not orient correctly. Meaning that your mouse pointer does not move across the screen as it should. You will need to adjust how your screen is physically represented. Scroll back to the top of the Display menu until you see a representation of your monitors. It will look like boxes. The size of the box could be a different size depending on the resolution of the monitors.
Click the button Identify. Look at your monitors and look for the numbers that appear on the screen. Take note of where they are at. (Example: If the left monitor is 2 and the right is 1, then you will click and drag the box to the opposite side.) Your goal is to match the physical layout of actual monitors to the diagram below. If you forgot the numbers, press the Identify button again.
Left-click and hold the button down and drag the box to match your physical layout.
6. Once you match your physical layout and click apply, you are done! Test it out by dragging your mouse pointer across your screens. If you are using Duplicate these display mode, it's not necessary to orient the screen.
No image from one of the extended monitors.
- In a dual monitor setup, if one monitor is working and the other isn't, there could be several reasons, but always check power first. Can you see the LED light from the power button of the monitor?
CAUSE: Power cable isn't plugged in all the way
SOLUTION: Push cable all the way into the monitor and ensure the plug is in a working outlet. If it's a surge protector, ensure the surge protector is on and not tripped!
- A brand new monitor won't display until you turn it on and click the OK from the monitor menu. Navigate the monitor menu from the bottom of the monitor or behind the monitor. New monitors have a toggle button on the back right side. Navigate to the menu and ensure OK is selected.
CAUSE: New monitor not set when initially turned on
SOLUTION: Use menu buttons to click OK on the monitor menu.
- Video cable - ensure the cable is snug. No metal should be visible. Sometimes it feels like the cable is in, but it's not. If the cable is in and the power on the monitor is on, check the next bullet.
CAUSE: Loose Cable or unseated cable
SOLUTION: Ensure the cable is snug, no metal should be exposed. Both ends.
- Settings can cause it not to extend to the monitor. If you see your monitor represented like in the example of Method 1, step 4, but it's inactive, it's because the setting to extend is turned off.
CAUSE: Display setting set to "Disconnect this display" from the Display menu of the operating system.
SOLUTION: Change the setting to "Extend desktop to this display."
None of the monitors are extending out from the docking station.
- Ensure the docking station is powered on.
- Restart the laptop while connected to the docking station.
- Unplug the power from the docking station, and detach the USB cable from the laptop. Plug the power back into the docking station and plug the USB cable back into the laptop.
If none of the above actions worked, please further troubleshoot from our other Solution article taken from Dell's website.
https://nobis.freshservice.com/support/solutions/articles/16000044419