Buzz
This guide explains how to connect a Windows or Mac laptop to an external monitor. Most modern laptops automatically select the best connection when plugged into an external display, so the key thing to focus on is choosing the correct cable when setting up the connection.
Steps
Connecting to an external monitor
Identify the video output options on your laptop. Most laptops have a display port located on the back, but some may have it on the side. Common video ports on laptops include:
- Windows:
- HDMI - A port with two angled edges creating six sides, approximately 1cm wide, commonly found on most Windows laptops.
- DisplayPort - Similar to HDMI, but with one angled corner, and the others are square.
- VGA or DVI - VGA is a port with 15 holes, typically blue in color, while DVI is often black or white with 24 holes and one side left open. These are found on older computers.
- Mac:
- Thunderbolt 3 (also known as USB-C) - An oval-shaped port commonly located on the side of newer MacBooks.
- HDMI - A port with two angled corners, forming six sides, available on some MacBooks.
- Mini DisplayPort - A six-sided port found on Macs manufactured between 2008 and 2016.
Identify the video input of the monitor. Basic computer monitors typically have one input, while TV screens offer multiple inputs. You can find HDMI or DisplayPort inputs on the back of most monitors. Older computer monitors use VGA or DVI connection cables.
Connect the video cable to the laptop's video output. Insert the connector of the video cable into the laptop's video output port, ensuring it fits securely.
Connect the other end of the cable to the monitor. Plug the other end of the video cable into the port on the TV, ensuring a snug connection.
- If the external monitor has a different type of port, you will need an adapter to make the connection. Some adapters simply bridge two types of cables. For example, a VGA to HDMI adapter gives you a VGA end and an HDMI end. Common cable adapters include:
- HDMI to DisplayPort.
- DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort) to HDMI.
- Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort.
- USB-C to HDMI (or DisplayPort).
- VGA to HDMI.
- DVI to HDMI.
Turn on the external monitor.Power
- If you're using an adapter (not a cable converter), make sure to connect the power cable of the adapter to a power source.
Select the video source on the external monitor. If you're using a monitor or TV with multiple inputs, you need to choose the port that is connected to the laptop. To select the video source, press the "Input", "Source", "Video Select", or a similar button on the monitor or remote control.
Wait for the laptop screen to appear on the external monitor. Once you see the main display and icons (or other content) from the laptop on the external monitor, you can proceed with adjusting the laptop's display settings.
- If you're using a VGA connection – with the blue connector that has 3 rows of holes – you may need to switch the screen. You can do this by pressing the function key on the keyboard.
- If the laptop's main screen isn't displayed on the external monitor, refer to method 2 to detect the screen on Windows, and method 3 to detect it on Mac.
Find the monitor on Windows
Click on System (System). This is the first option in the Settings menu, with a laptop icon next to it.
Click on Display (Display). This option is located at the top of the left-side menu. The Display menu will appear immediately.
Scroll down and click on Detect (Detect). This is the gray button below "Multiple Displays" at the bottom of the screen. By doing this, Windows will search for displays.
Find the monitor on macOS
Click on System Preferences (System Preferences). This is the second option in the Apple menu. The System Preferences window will appear.
Click on Displays (Displays). This option has the screen icon. The Displays window will appear immediately.
Press and hold the Options. When you press "Options", the "Detect Displays" button will immediately appear in the Displays window.
Click on Detect Displays (Detect Displays). This option is located at the bottom right corner of the Displays window when you press the "Options" key. macOS will begin searching for displays.
Adjust Display Settings on Windows
Start
Click on System (System). This is the computer icon in the Settings window.
Click on the Display (Display). This option can be found on the left side of the Display window.
Scroll down to the "Multiple displays" section. This option appears near the bottom of the page.
Click on the "Multiple displays" dropdown. A list of options will appear here.
Select a display mode. Choose one of the following options from the menu:
- Duplicate these displays - The content currently displayed on your laptop screen will also appear on the external display.
- Extend these displays - Use the external screen as an extension of your laptop. With this option, moving the cursor to the right edge of the laptop screen will make it appear on the external display.
- Show only on 1 - Display content only on the laptop screen and turn off the external display.
- Show only on 2 - Show content only on the external display and turn off the laptop screen.
Adjust screen settings on Mac
Click on the System Preferences… (System Preferences). This option is located near the top of the menu. The System Preferences window will appear right away.
Click on the Displays (Displays). The monitor icon appears in the center of the System Preferences window.
Click on the Displays. You will find this option in the top left corner of the window.
Adjust the screen resolution. Check the "Scaled" option, then select the resolution.
- It is not possible to select a resolution higher than the built-in resolution of the display (e.g., 4K).
Change the display scaling. Drag the "Underscan" slider at the bottom of the page to the left to shrink the Mac screen on the external display or to the right to enlarge the screen.
- This allows the Mac screen to fit correctly on the external monitor if the image appears too large or too small.
Extend the Mac screen if needed. If you want to use the external display as an extension of your Mac screen (for example, the right side of the Mac screen), click on the Arrangement tab at the top of the window and uncheck the "Mirror Displays" option located below the display settings window.
- You can also adjust the position of the menu bar here by clicking and dragging the white rectangle at the top of the display settings window to the left or right.
Tip
- DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C ports can all transmit audio, meaning the speakers on the display can output sound from the laptop if you are using one of these connections.
- If you're using an older video cable, you won't hear audio through the TV. You can route the audio to external speakers via the laptop's headphone port. Use a mm cable to connect to the headphone jack. Use an adapter to connect to speakers or audio inputs if needed.
- You can update your computer's drivers to improve screen detection and the quality of the connected display.
Warning
- If the screen isn't displaying content from the laptop, it could be because you're using an incompatible cable. Try using a different cable or, if available, use a different connection port.
