How to Set Up Multiple Monitors on Ubuntu

This guide shows you how to connect and set up two or more monitors with Ubuntu on your Dell computer using built-in tools. You'll learn what you need, how to configure your displays, and how to fix common problems.

What You Need Before You Start

Hardware You'll Need

Multiple monitors or displays You'll need at least two monitors to create a multi-monitor setup.

Video ports on your computer Your Dell computer needs enough video connections for all your monitors. Check for these ports:

• Laptops: Usually have one built-in screen plus one or more ports like HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C
• Laptops with docking stations: May have additional HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C ports on the dock
• Desktops: Typically have two or more ports on the back panel, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA

The right cables You'll need cables that match the ports on your computer and monitors. Common types include:

• HDMI: Carries both video and audio (digital)
• DisplayPort: Carries video and audio (digital)
• USB-C: Can carry video, audio, and power (check if your port supports video)
• DVI: Carries video only (digital or analog, depending on type)
• VGA: Carries video only (analog, lower quality)

Helpful tip: For the best picture quality, use digital connections like HDMI or DisplayPort. If you need to connect different port types (like HDMI to DisplayPort), make sure you use the correct adapter.

Software You'll Need

Updated graphics drivers Ubuntu usually installs open-source graphics drivers automatically. For better performance, you might want to install the manufacturer's drivers:

• Intel or AMD graphics: Drivers are usually built into Ubuntu
• NVIDIA graphics: You can install NVIDIA's proprietary drivers for more features

How to Connect and Set Up Your Monitors

Step 1: Prepare Your Computer

1. Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date.
2. Restart your computer to apply any updates.
3. Keep your computer turned on.

Step 2: Connect Your Monitors

1. Plug each monitor into a power outlet and turn it on.
2. Connect each monitor to your computer using the appropriate cable.
3. Connect the cables firmly into both the computer and monitor ports.

Ubuntu will usually detect your monitors automatically and extend your desktop across them.

Step 3: Open Display Settings

Using the graphical interface:

1. Click Show Applications (the grid of dots icon) in the bottom-left corner.
2. Type Settings in the search box.
3. Click Settings.
4. In the left sidebar, click Displays.

Alternative method using right-click:

1. Right-click anywhere on an empty area of your desktop.
2. Click Display Settings.

Step 4: Arrange Your Monitors

The Displays window shows a visual preview of all connected monitors at the top.

To arrange your monitors:

1. Click and drag the monitor previews to match how they're physically positioned on your desk.
2. For example, if your second monitor is to the right of your main monitor, drag its preview to the right of the main monitor preview.
3. This arrangement controls how your mouse moves between screens.

Step 5: Choose Your Display Mode

Ubuntu offers different ways for your monitors to work together:

Join Displays (Extended desktop)

• This is the default and recommended setting
• Your desktop extends across all monitors, giving you more screen space
• You can move windows between monitors
• Each monitor can show different content

Mirror (Duplicate displays)

• All monitors show the same content
• Useful for presentations
• All monitors will use the same resolution (usually the lowest common resolution)

Single Display

• Uses only one monitor and turns off the others
• Useful if you want to use only an external monitor on a laptop

To select your preferred mode, look for the display mode options at the top of the Displays settings.

Step 6: Adjust Settings for Each Monitor

Click a monitor in the preview to select it, then adjust these settings in the lower section:

Resolution

• Controls the screen size and clarity
• For the best picture, select the highest resolution (usually marked as "Recommended")
• Higher numbers (like 1920 × 1080) mean sharper images

Orientation

• Choose how the display is rotated
• Options: Landscape (normal), Portrait (vertical), Landscape (flipped), or Portrait (flipped)
• Use Portrait mode if you've physically rotated your monitor to stand vertically

Refresh Rate (if available)

• Controls how smoothly motion appears on screen
• Higher numbers (like 60 Hz or higher) are better
• Most monitors work best at their default setting

Scale

• Makes text and images larger or smaller
• Helpful if text looks too small on high-resolution displays
• 100% is normal size; higher percentages make everything bigger

Step 7: Choose Your Primary Monitor

Your primary monitor is where the top panel (with the Activities button and system menu) appears and where new windows open by default.

To set your primary monitor:

1. Click the monitor you want to use as primary in the preview at the top.
2. Look for the Primary Display toggle or checkbox.
3. Turn it on or check the box for your chosen monitor.

Step 8: Save Your Settings

1. After making all your changes, click Apply in the bottom-right corner.
2. Ubuntu will show a preview of your new settings.
3. A dialog will appear asking if you want to keep the changes.
4. Click Keep Changes within 20 seconds to save your settings.
5. If you don't respond within 20 seconds, Ubuntu will automatically revert to your previous settings for safety.

Your multi-monitor setup is now complete!

Customizing Your Desktop Across Multiple Monitors

Using Different Wallpapers (Built-in Method)

Ubuntu's built-in Settings app allows you to set a wallpaper for your desktop:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Appearance in the left sidebar.
3. Under Background, click to choose your preferred wallpaper.

Note: By default, Ubuntu extends the same wallpaper across all monitors. Ubuntu's built-in tools don't natively support different wallpapers per monitor. If you need different wallpapers on each monitor, you will need to install additional software from third-party sources, which is beyond the scope of this guide.

Adjusting Panel and Dock Behavior

Note: In recent Ubuntu versions (Ubuntu 22.04 and later with GNOME desktop), the top panel and dock behavior across multiple monitors is handled automatically:

• The top panel appears on the primary monitor only
• The dock (launcher on the left) can be configured in Settings > Appearance > Dock settings

Fixing Common Issues

Ubuntu Doesn't Detect All My Monitors

If Ubuntu doesn't see all your monitors:

1. Check physical connections:
   • Make sure all cables are firmly connected at both ends
   • Check that all monitors are powered on
   • Try unplugging and reconnecting the cables
2. Use the Detect Displays button:
   • Open Settings > Displays
   • Look for a Detect Displays button (usually in the bottom-left corner)
   • Click it to force Ubuntu to search for connected monitors
3. Restart with monitors connected:
   • Turn off your computer
   • Make sure all monitors are connected and powered on
   • Turn on your computer
   • Ubuntu should detect all monitors during startup
4. Check your graphics drivers:
   • Open Software & Updates
   • Click the Additional Drivers tab
   • See if newer graphics drivers are available
   • Select the recommended driver and click Apply Changes
   • Restart your computer

My Monitor Positions Keep Resetting After Restart

If your monitor arrangement resets after you restart or wake from sleep:

1. Reconfigure and apply settings carefully:
   • Open Settings > Displays
   • Arrange your monitors as desired
   • Make sure to click Apply and then Keep Changes
   • Wait for the full 20 seconds to elapse before clicking
2. Check if you're using Wayland or X11:
   • Open Settings > About
   • Look for Windowing System, it will say either "Wayland" or "X11"
   • Some monitor configurations work better with one or the other
   • To switch, log out, click your username at the login screen, click the gear icon in the bottom-right, and select "Ubuntu" (Wayland) or "Ubuntu on Xorg" (X11)
3. Make sure the configuration file is saved:
   • Your monitor configuration is saved in ~/.config/monitors.xml
   • If this file keeps getting deleted or reset, there may be a permissions issue
   • Contact Dell Support for help with file permission issues

Display Settings Don't Offer the Options I Need

If Ubuntu's built-in Settings don't give you enough control, you can try manufacturer-specific graphics utilities:

For NVIDIA graphics cards:

1. Install NVIDIA drivers if you haven't already:
   • Open Software & Updates
   • Click Additional Drivers
   • Select an NVIDIA driver (usually the latest recommended version)
   • Click Apply Changes and restart
2. Open NVIDIA X Server Settings:
   • Open Show Applications
   • Type NVIDIA X Server Settings
   • Use this tool for advanced display configuration

For AMD graphics cards:

• AMD provides open-source drivers built into Ubuntu
• Advanced AMD settings can be accessed through command-line tools if needed
• Contact Dell Support for guidance on AMD-specific configuration

For Intel graphics:

• Intel graphics use open-source drivers built into Ubuntu
• The standard Settings app provides all typical configuration options

Picture Quality Looks Wrong on One or More Monitors

Check your cable and connection:

1. Make sure you're using a high-quality cable appropriate for your monitor's resolution
2. Try a different cable to rule out a faulty cable
3. If using an adapter, verify it supports your desired resolution
4. For 4K or high refresh rate monitors, ensure you're using HDMI 2.0+ or DisplayPort 1.2+

Check your resolution:

1. Open Settings > Displays
2. Select the monitor with quality issues
3. Set Resolution to the recommended setting (usually the highest available)

Check your refresh rate:

1. In Displays settings, look for Refresh Rate
2. Try different available refresh rates to see if picture quality improves
3. Higher refresh rates aren't always better - some monitors work best at 60 Hz

Switching Between Graphics Drivers

If you're experiencing problems with your current graphics driver, switching driver types might help:

To switch to NVIDIA proprietary drivers:

1. Open Software & Updates
2. Click the Additional Drivers tab
3. Select the NVIDIA driver from the list (usually the newest version is recommended)
4. Click Apply Changes
5. Restart your computer

To switch back to open-source drivers:

1. Open Software & Updates
2. Click the Additional Drivers tab
3. Select the option that says "Using X.Org X server" or similar
4. Click Apply Changes
5. Restart your computer

Different drivers work better for different tasks, so it's worth trying both if you have issues.

One Monitor Shows Poor Colors or Wrong Aspect Ratio

Adjust display settings:

1. Open Settings > Displays
2. Select the affected monitor
3. Try different resolution options - look for the one that matches your monitor's native resolution
4. Check if your monitor has an Auto Adjust button to automatically optimize the picture

Check monitor settings:

1. Use the physical buttons on your monitor to access its on-screen display menu
2. Look for Auto Adjust, Auto Config, or similar options
3. Reset monitor settings to factory defaults if problems persist

External Monitor Not Working on Laptop

Check common causes:

1. Verify the laptop port is active:
   • Some laptops have a keyboard shortcut to toggle external displays (often Fn + F8 or similar)
   • Look for a key with a monitor icon on it
2. Try a different port:
   • If your laptop has multiple video ports, try connecting to a different one
3. Check laptop power settings:
   • Open Settings > Power
   • Make sure power saving modes aren't disabling the external port
4. Update your system:
   • Open Software Updater
   • Install all available updates
   • Restart your computer