Display Settings Don't Show Monitors? FIX It (Easy Steps)

Display Settings Don't Show Monitors in Box: Troubleshooting Your Display Connection

Encountering a situation where your display settings dont show monitors in box can be incredibly frustrating. You expect to see all connected monitors listed, but instead, you're faced with a blank or incomplete display configuration. This guide aims to help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue, providing clear and simple instructions for users of all technical skill levels. If your display settings dont show monitors in box, fear not, we'll get you back on track.

Understanding Why Your Monitors Aren't Showing Up

Before diving into solutions, let's explore some common reasons why your display settings dont show monitors in box:

Loose or Damaged Cables: A loose or damaged display cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA) is a frequent culprit.
Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Incompatible or outdated graphics drivers can prevent Windows from detecting your monitors properly.
Incorrect Display Settings: Sometimes, Windows might not be configured to detect multiple displays.
Hardware Issues: In rare cases, the problem might be with the monitor itself or your graphics card.
Operating System Errors: Windows updates or other software changes can occasionally cause display issues.
Driver Conflicts: Conflicting drivers or software can interfere with monitor detection.

Initial Checks: The Easy First Steps

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting, try these simple steps:

1. Check the Cables

This is the first and most important step.

How to Do It:
1. Ensure that all display cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA) are securely connected to both your computer and your monitors.
2. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the cables.
3. If possible, try using different cables to rule out a cable issue.
Why It Works: A loose or damaged cable can prevent the monitor from being detected.

2. Power Cycle Your Monitors and Computer

This simple step can often resolve temporary glitches.

How to Do It:
1. Turn off your computer and all connected monitors.
2. Unplug the power cables from the monitors and the computer.
3. Wait for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cables back in.
5. Turn on your monitors and then your computer.
Why It Works: Power cycling clears the memory and resets the connections.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Diving Deeper

If the initial checks didn't work, try these more advanced troubleshooting steps:

1. Force Detection in Display Settings

Even if your display settings dont show monitors in box initially, you can try forcing Windows to detect them. If your display settings not detecting second monitor, this is often the first solution.

How to Do It (Windows 10/11):
1. Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings.”
2. In the Display settings window, scroll down to the “Multiple displays” section.
3. Click the “Detect” button.
[INCLUDE SCREENSHOT OF DISPLAY SETTINGS WITH “DETECT” BUTTON HIGHLIGHTED]
Why It Works: This prompts Windows to actively search for connected monitors.

2. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common cause of display issues. Make sure that your graphics card not detecting monitor.

How to Do It:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”
5. If Windows doesn't find a driver, visit the graphics card manufacturer's website (Nvidia, AMD, Intel) and download the latest driver for your operating system.
6. Install the downloaded driver.
Why It Works: Updated drivers often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
Important: After updating your graphics drivers, restart your computer.

3. Reinstall Your Graphics Drivers

If updating doesn't work, try completely reinstall graphics driver.

How to Do It:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Uninstall device.”
4. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device.”
5. Click “Uninstall.”
6. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the graphics driver.
7. If Windows doesn't automatically reinstall the driver, download it from the manufacturer's website and install it manually.
Why It Works: Reinstalling ensures a clean installation and replaces any corrupted files.

4. Check Display Connection in Device Manager

If the graphics drivers are up to date, you may want to check device manager monitors not showing up in the display.

How to Do It:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Monitors” section.
3. If you don't see your monitor listed, then it has not properly connected to the computer.

5. Check Your Display Cables (Again!)

It bears repeating: the display cables are a frequent cause of problems!

How to Do It:
1. Unplug the display cable from the graphics card
2. Unplug the display cable from the monitor
3. Ensure there are no dust or debris in the connectors
4. Plug back in the cables securely.

6. Test the Monitor on Another Computer

To rule out a problem with the monitor itself, try connecting it to another computer. If the monitor works on another computer, the problem is likely with your original computer's graphics card or settings.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes, Windows updates can cause display issues.

How to Do It:
1. Click the Start button and go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click “Check for updates.”
3. Install any available updates.
Why It Works: Windows updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
Monitor Not Detected After Update: Sometimes the new update makes the monitors not appear, or if their are only one monitor showing in display settings. If the windows update makes things worse, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Properties”
Select “Driver” Tab, and then select “Roll Back Driver”

8. Check the BIOS/UEFI Settings

In some cases, the BIOS/UEFI settings might be preventing Windows from detecting your monitors.

How to Do It:
1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F12 during startup).
2. Look for settings related to display adapters or multi-monitor support.
3. Ensure that the settings are configured to detect and enable all connected monitors.
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup.

Addressing Specific Issues: [Display Settings Not Saving Monitor Arrangement]

If your display settings not saving monitor arrangement, this could be due to corrupted user profile. The simple solution is to create a new user profile in Windows.

If Nothing Else Works: Hardware Issues

If you've tried all the software-based solutions and your display settings dont show monitors in box, the problem might be with your hardware.

Graphics Card: A failing graphics card can cause display issues.
Monitor: The monitor itself might be faulty.

In these cases, you may need to replace the faulty hardware.

display settings dont show monitors in box

FAQ: Your Monitor Detection Questions Answered

Q: Why are my monitors not showing up in Display Settings?
A: Common causes include loose or damaged cables, outdated or corrupted graphics drivers, incorrect display settings, and hardware issues.

Q: How do I force Windows to detect my monitors?
A: In Display Settings, scroll down to “Multiple displays” and click the “Detect” button.

Q: What if my graphics drivers are up to date, but my monitors still aren't detected?
A: Try reinstalling your graphics drivers completely. Also, check the Device Manager for any error messages related to your graphics card or monitors.

Q: Can a faulty cable cause my monitors to not be detected?
A: Yes, a faulty or damaged display cable is a common cause of monitor detection issues. Try using a different cable.

Q: Is there a way to test if my monitor is working properly?
A: Try connecting your monitor to another computer. If it works on another computer, the problem is likely with your original computer.

Q: What should I do if I've tried everything and my monitors still aren't showing up?
A: If you've exhausted all troubleshooting steps, the problem might be with your graphics card or the monitors themselves. Consider contacting a computer repair technician for assistance.

Conclusion: Resolving Your Display Detection Issues

Seeing your display settings dont show monitors in box is a real problem, but following these steps can often fix the issue! By systematically troubleshooting each potential cause, you can pinpoint the source of the problem and restore your multi-monitor setup. From checking the cables to reinstalling drivers, it's about identifying the problem and working towards a solution. Whether it's a simple fix or a more complex issue, remember to stay patient and follow the steps carefully. Now, get back to enjoying your multiple displays!

Display Settings Don’t Show Monitors? FIX It (Easy Steps)