Article Number: 000134286
When you connect an additional monitor to your Dell computer, Windows will automatically detect the monitor and display your computer desktop screen. You can then choose how you want your desktop screen to appear and customize the display settings such as display style - clone mode, extended mode, first screen only or second screen only, screen resolution settings and color depth. Microsoft Windows 7 and above support multiple monitor setup, which helps enhance productivity.
It is important to ensure that the video port on your computer matches an available video port on the monitor, like VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort (DP). Connect your computer to the monitor or another display device like projector or TV using a compatible cable. The monitor manufacturer should provide this cable.
To learn more, see the Dell knowledge base article How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer.
To learn more about different ports on your Dell computer, see the Dell knowledge base article A Guide to External Ports and Connectors on a Dell Computer.
Back to topDetermine the type of video connectors that are available on your computer and the monitors. The number of video connectors depends on the type of graphics card that is installed in your computer. Most graphics or video cards on a desktop computer can support two or more monitors depending on the graphics card and computer specifications. However, laptops can support up to two monitors depending on the computer specifications. To learn more, see the Dell Knowledge Base article How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer.
Once the cables are connected securely, your computer should automatically detect and display the desktop screen on the connected monitors. You can now select the display style that best suits your needs.
Microsoft Windows provides multiple display style options on how the desktop screen is displayed across multiple monitors that are connected to your computer.
To learn how to change the screen resolution, adjust the refresh rate and change the size of fonts and icons, see the Dell knowledge base articles that are listed below based on the operating system that is installed on your computer:
Back to topMost desktop computers have video ports to connect to at least two external monitors. Notebooks have a least one video port and may have a second video port. Connecting a laptop to an external monitor allows you to close the laptop lid or use a much larger monitor in addition to the laptop LCD screen.
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VGA Connector |
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HDMI Connector |
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Mini DisplayPort Connector |
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DisplayPort Connector |
A docking station or port replicator provides a simplified way of connecting multiple devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, external hard drives and one or more external monitors to a laptop personal computer which usually have limited connectivity ports.
Most docking stations or port replicators have video ports to connect two or more external monitors, and is similar to connecting your computer to your monitor, you just need to have the correct cables. A docking station or port replicator when connected to a laptop allows you to switch off the laptop LCD and use the external monitors instead.
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VGA Connector |
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HDMI Connector |
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Mini DisplayPort Connector |
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DisplayPort Connector |
Dell wireless monitors enable your Windows laptop, Android smartphone, or tablet with Miracast capability to display the screen image to the monitor using a Wi-Fi Direct interface. When you connect the laptop, smartphone, or tablet to the Dell wireless monitor, you can access the mouse and keyboard that are connected to the Monitor and control the devices.
You can either extend or duplicate your Windows desktop wirelessly to one of these monitors and connect your Android 5.0 (and above) tablet or smartphone over Wi-Fi simultaneously through Dual Cast.
To learn more about how to set up or troubleshoot a Dell wireless monitor, see the Dell knowledge base article Guide to Dell Wireless Monitors.
Back to topLatest TVs and computers provide a wide variety of video connectivity options. Ensure that the video port on your computer matches an available video port on your TV, like VGA, DVI or HDMI.
Connecting your Dell computer with a TV
If you encounter a problem when trying to connect your computer with a TV:
Microsoft Windows 10, 8 or 8.1, and 7 support dual or multiple monitor setups. If you encounter problems with your multiple monitor setup, like a blank or black screen, no signal to monitor, resolution issues, see the Dell knowledge base article How to Troubleshoot Multiple Monitor Problems on a Dell Computer.
Back to topIf your Dell computer has encountered a display or video problem with multiple monitors after upgrading to Microsoft Windows 10:
More information and support for your Dell monitor, laptop, or tablet screen can be found on our Monitor Support site.
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24 Nov 2021
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