External Display is Black

1LoveDrew · 07 Apr 2014

I have been using my external monitor along with my built in display for my laptop. I have had it set to Extended Desktop and all looked well. Now all of a sudden I went to plug in the external monitor into my laptop and it won't work. It's detected, but it's black. I've tried changing the resolution, restarting the computer, uninstalling the monitor and re-installing it, etc. Things were fine until I updated my computer with Windows Update, but now NO external monitor works. I've even tried the FN+F2 option for my MSi A6200. I checked the VGA port and it is just fine. The cables aren't torn either. The laptop is detecting the monitors and even installed the drivers for them, yet the external monitors are black. I tried Clone Display, and I tried using only the external monitor. I could really use some help. I've identified that there isn't physical damage to my laptop's VGA port, so I'm really puzzled here. Please help me out! <3 :) Thanks in advance.

Computer0304 · 07 Apr 2014

1.Try using a different cable despite the cable looking like it has no damage. If that works, it is a problem with the cable. If not, go on to Step 2.
2.Try another monitor. If this works, the 1st monitor is broken. If not, go on to 3.
3. Try switching to another port if possible. If you do not have a second port, or this does not work, go on to 4. If it does, the port is broken.
4. Try using another PC with this monitor. If this works, the laptop may have a physical damage in the GPU or the motherboard. Go onto step 5.
(If none of the above steps work, I'm not able to help you farther since my knowledge limits it)
5. Try installing/reinstalling the monitor drivers if there is any. Go to the manufacturer website for this. If this does not work, continue to 6.
6. Try reinstalling the drivers for the GPU. It is crucial to carefully do this step since if this goes wrong, it will create another bigger problem. Please wait for a person with better knowledge to help guide you through the process.

1LoveDrew · 07 Apr 2014

Tested the monitor on a different computer (an old IBM computer that I don't use) and it works just fine. Cable's not torn or glitchy in the least. Also, my laptop does detect the monitors still, but the screen stays black. This didn't happen until I did a Windows Update recently, and I'd like to think that there's nothing wrong with my GPU or motherboard.

Also, how do I reinstall the drivers for the GPU?

Computer0304 · 07 Apr 2014

Before you reinstall any drivers, you should try another monitor. It may be a compatibility issue between the monitor and the laptop.

1LoveDrew · 07 Apr 2014

I did. I've tried three monitors now and they all turn up black even when I tinker with the resolution and change outputs. As stated, this didn't happen until I did Windows Update recently.

This wouldn't be the first time my laptop has acted up about something after a Windows Update.

PS: These are monitors I've used before and had no problem. Now all of a sudden this stuff happens.

Computer0304 · 07 Apr 2014

Can you show the list of updates downloaded?

1LoveDrew · 07 Apr 2014

External Display is Black-screenshot-one.png

External Display is Black-screenshot-two.png

Those are just some of the updates. There was one update to my display adapter that was way back in July of 2013, I think, but I can't remember if that did anything to my laptop or not. Could I undo that update and see if it helps?

Computer0304 · 07 Apr 2014

Can you post the name? It could been a Windows Update driver because there is a possibility that your computer was using generic drivers. Can you post the name of it? It should not be causing the problem because it has been a long time since that has been updated.

1LoveDrew · 07 Apr 2014

External Display is Black-intel-update.png

It's that. While I think about it, I was having some minor issues around the time it updated in regards to my graphics card. :/ I hope we can fix things.

Sardonicus · 07 Apr 2014

1LoveDrew said:

It's that. While I think about it, I was having some minor issues around the time it updated in regards to my graphics card. :/ I hope we can fix things.

Did you go to the Intel Graphics software?
You should be able to open the software from the taskbar (Intel Grahics icon).
While the monitor is installed, did you use the Intel Software to extend the monitor?