10 Fixes for “Monitor is Not Working” Issue on Your PC

If your monitor is not working on your computer, don’t worry – this is a common issue many users face, and it can usually be fixed quickly. Whether your monitor is blank, flickering, or not responding at all, there are several straightforward solutions you can try. In this article, we will explore five fixes for when your monitor stops working on Windows 10, along with helpful troubleshooting steps to get your screen back to normal.

1. Check the Physical Connections for Your Monitor Not Working

The first step in resolving a monitor not working issue is to make sure all the cables are properly connected. A loose or disconnected cable is a common reason why a monitor might not turn on or display anything on the screen. Here’s what to do:

• Check HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort cables: Ensure that the cable connecting your monitor to the computer is securely plugged into both the monitor and PC.
• Test the power supply: Confirm that the monitor is powered on and the power cable is connected.
• If you are using adapters like HDMI to VGA, ensure they are functioning properly.
• Try using a different cable to eliminate the possibility of a faulty cable.

Ensuring that your monitor’s physical connections are secure is the simplest and most effective fix for a monitor not working.

2. Adjust Display Settings for External Monitors

Sometimes, display settings in Windows 10 may cause issues with detecting or displaying content on your monitor. If your external monitor is not showing up or if it’s showing a blank screen, you can try adjusting the display settings:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down to the Multiple displays section and click Detect to manually search for your external monitor.
3. If your monitor is detected, select your desired display mode (Extend, Duplicate, etc.).
4. Make sure the correct resolution is selected for your monitor. Incorrect screen resolution settings can cause display problems.

By adjusting these display settings on your Windows 10 PC, you can resolve common issues where the monitor is not working or not displaying correctly.

3. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers for a Non-Working Monitor

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause a monitor to stop working properly. If your monitor is not turning on or the display is flickering, you may need to update or reinstall your graphics drivers. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your display adapter and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
5. If the issue persists, you can uninstall the driver and restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Updating or reinstalling your graphics drivers can often solve issues like monitor flickering or screen not turning on.

4. Test the Monitor with Another Device

If your monitor is not working and you’ve already checked the cables and updated drivers, it’s a good idea to test the monitor with another device. This helps to determine if the issue lies with the monitor itself or the computer.

1. Unplug the monitor from your current computer.
2. Connect the monitor to a different device (such as another laptop or desktop) using the same cable.
3. If the monitor works with another device, the issue is likely with your PC or laptop and not the monitor.
4. If the monitor still doesn’t work, the monitor might be faulty and need repair or replacement.

Testing the monitor with another device helps narrow down whether the problem is related to your PC’s settings or the monitor hardware.

5. Check for Windows 10 Updates and System Errors

If your monitor is not working after you’ve tried all the previous steps, it might be due to a system issue that can be resolved with a Windows 10 update or by fixing system errors. Here’s what you should do:

1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
2. Select Update & Security, then click on Windows Update.
3. Choose Check for updates and install any available updates.
4. You can also run a System File Checker (SFC) scan to fix corrupted files that could be causing display issues:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc /scannow.
   • Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.

6. Check the Monitor’s Brightness and Contrast Settings

One often overlooked issue that can cause a monitor not to display anything is incorrect brightness or contrast settings. If the monitor’s brightness is set too low, it may appear as if it is not working, even though it’s on. Here’s how you can check:

1. Use the monitor’s on-screen menu to adjust the brightness and contrast.
2. Look for buttons or controls on the side or bottom of the monitor that allow you to access these settings.
3. Increase the brightness and ensure the contrast is set to a reasonable level.

Checking the brightness and contrast settings can often fix issues where the screen is too dim to see, making it appear as if the monitor is not working.

7. Use the Monitor’s Auto-Adjust Feature

Many modern monitors come with an auto-adjust feature that can help fix display issues, especially if your monitor is not showing the correct resolution. This feature can be useful when the monitor is showing a distorted or blank screen. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Look for an Auto-adjust button on the monitor or in the monitor’s on-screen display menu.
2. Press the button, or select the auto-adjust option to let the monitor automatically adjust to the correct display settings.
3. Wait for the monitor to adjust and check if the display appears correctly.

Using the auto-adjust feature can solve problems like the monitor not detecting resolution changes or displaying incorrectly.

8. Try a Different Graphics Card or Port

If your monitor is not working after checking everything else, the issue may be with your graphics card or the port it’s connected to. Here’s what you can do:

1. Unplug the monitor from its current graphics card port (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort).
2. Try connecting it to another port on the graphics card or motherboard if available.
3. If you have a second graphics card, try switching to it to see if that resolves the issue.
4. You can also test the monitor with a different computer to verify that the graphics card is working correctly.

If changing the graphics card or port resolves the issue, you may need to replace your graphics card or the damaged port to restore proper functionality.

9. Check for Power Supply Issues in the Monitor

If your monitor is not turning on, the issue could be with its power supply. This can happen if the monitor isn’t receiving sufficient power. Here’s what you can do:

1. Make sure the power cable is plugged into a working power outlet.
2. Test the power cable with another device, like a laptop charger, to ensure the cable is not damaged.
3. Some monitors have a power supply button that needs to be pressed. Check if your monitor has this feature.
4. If you have another power cable or adapter, try using it to see if the monitor turns on.

Checking the power supply is crucial when your monitor is not working, as it might not be getting the power it needs to function.

10. Perform a Hard Reset on the Monitor

A hard reset on your monitor can sometimes solve complex issues that prevent it from working correctly. Here’s how to perform a reset:

1. Turn off the monitor and unplug it from the power source.
2. Disconnect all cables (HDMI, VGA, power cable, etc.) from the monitor.
3. Press and hold the power button on the monitor for 10-15 seconds to drain any residual power.
4. Reconnect the cables and plug the monitor back in.
5. Turn on the monitor to see if it now functions properly.

FAQs: Fixing Monitor Not Working Issues

1. What should I do if my monitor is not working after I updated Windows 10?

If your monitor is not working after a Windows 10 update, it may be due to incompatible or outdated display drivers. To fix this, try updating or reinstalling your graphics drivers through Device Manager. Additionally, check for any new Windows updates that may fix display issues or roll back any recent updates that may have caused the problem.

2. How do I fix a monitor that is not turning on in Windows 10?

If your monitor is not turning on in Windows 10, ensure that the power cable is properly connected and the monitor is powered on. Test the monitor with another device to see if it works. If it does, the issue could be related to your PC’s settings or graphics card. Adjust the display settings or try connecting the monitor to a different port or graphics card on your PC.

3. Why is my external monitor not working, even though it’s connected correctly?

If your external monitor is not working despite being correctly connected, the issue could lie with display settings or graphics drivers. Try using the Windows Key + P shortcut to adjust display modes, or manually select Detect in Display Settings. Also, ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date to fix any compatibility issues between the monitor and Windows 10.

4. How can I fix a blank screen on my monitor?

If your monitor is showing a blank screen, start by checking the cable connections between your monitor and PC. Ensure both the HDMI or VGA cables are securely plugged in. If the connections are fine, try adjusting the brightness and contrast settings on the monitor or use the auto-adjust function. You can also test the monitor on another device to rule out hardware failure.

5. What should I do if my monitor is not working but the power light is on?

If your monitor is not working but the power light is on, it could indicate an issue with the display settings or the graphics card. First, ensure the display is set to the correct input source (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort). If the problem persists, try updating or reinstalling your graphics drivers and adjusting the screen resolution or refresh rate in your Display settings to ensure compatibility with your monitor.