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I am trying to connect my laptop to a second monitor with and HDMI and VGA cord.

Lanie Hitt 0 Reputation points
2025-12-11T03:10:50.8466667+00:00

I have hooked up my laptop to another monitor with both and HDMI cord and a VGA cord. However, my laptop will not detect the monitor. Similarly, the monitor says the VGA input source is inactive and I don't know how to change that. What do I do to have my laptop detect the monitor and change the monitor status?

Windows for home | Other | Desktop, Start, and personalization
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-11T03:11:01+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To connect your laptop to a second monitor using both HDMI and VGA, follow these steps:

    1. Check Connections: Ensure that both the HDMI and VGA cables are securely connected to both your laptop and the monitor. Sometimes, a loose connection can prevent detection.
    2. Select the Correct Input Source: On your monitor, use the buttons to navigate the menu and select the correct input source. Make sure to choose either HDMI or VGA, depending on which cable you want to use. If you have both connected, try switching between them to see if one works.
    3. Detect Display in Windows: On your laptop, right-click on the desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down and click on the Detect button to see if Windows can find the external monitor.
    4. Use Keyboard Shortcut: You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + P to open the projection options. From there, choose either Duplicate or Extend to see if the monitor is recognized.
    5. Update Drivers: Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. You can do this through the Device Manager by expanding the Display adapters section, right-clicking on your graphics card, and selecting Update driver.
    6. Check Display Configuration: If you are using a USB-attached monitor, be aware that the display configuration may not be retained after reboot. You may need to reconfigure it each time you connect.

    If the monitor still does not detect the signal, consider testing the monitor with another device to rule out any issues with the monitor itself.

    References:

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  2. EmilyS726 186.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-11T03:45:26.7833333+00:00

    Are you saying you are using a HDMI - VGA cable?

    A simple HDMI to VGA cable almost never works, because HDMI is digital and VGA is analog, and a passive cable cannot convert the signal.

    To go from HDMI to VGA, the cable must include an active digital to analog converter, or you need to get a converter instead.

    Most cheap HDMI to VGA cables are passive and those will not work.

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