Why so hard to get an external display to work.

TW200 · 16 Sep 2016

I have a VGA monitor (Viewsonic) I want to connect to my Dell laptop. I have a VGA port and a HDMI port on my laptop.
When I plug the monitor cable to the VGA port I get a NO SIGNAL message on the monitor. Could my laptops VGA port not be active?
I get the same monitor message when I plug to the HDMI port using a HDMI to VGA converter cable. Again, could it be my HDMI port is not active?
Are there any ways to test the VGA and HDMI ports?
The monitor worked fine as an external monitor on my old Dell XP laptop.
Thanks

ThrashZone · 16 Sep 2016

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Usually on a good day all one needs to do is use Winkey+p and select duplicate for either one.

Why so hard to get an external display to work.-windows-p.jpg

If the monitor has multiple ports which most do it does have to be set on vga if that is the port to be used.
Same deal with a pc capable t.v. or hdmi being plugged into on the t.v.'s remote.

You can double check these menu options by right clicking your desktop back ground and select graphic options

Why so hard to get an external display to work.-resolution-maintain-aspect-r.jpg

TW200 · 16 Sep 2016

Thanks for the link, I appreciate your help.
Unfortunately Win+p key does nothing and when I right-click on the desktop I only get 'Screen Resolution' and that looks like where you'd setup a second monitor but it doesn't detect my monitor external monitor..

Mellon Head · 16 Sep 2016

On some laptops you need to press a function key combination to enable an external screen. My Toshiba is like that. The VGA port won't work until I press the Fn + F2 keys together.

Please provide us with the exact model of your laptop so that we can get more information for it.

AddRAM · 16 Sep 2016

What is Fn ?

ThrashZone · 16 Sep 2016

My laptop has one too although not needed for an additional display :)

RoasterMen · 17 Sep 2016

AddRAM said:

What is Fn ?

Fn is Function. Some laptops have it because they don't have a full keyboard or they have an added feature that needs to be binded to use Fn (for example the "F" button have num key "5" so you press Fn + F to be able to make 5 appear.)

Eric3742 · 17 Sep 2016

This FN key + grey icon on the Function keys.
Depend on the model.

Edit:
The FN key color match the color of the Function icon color (grey)

For my laptop, FN + F8 = Wireless icon.

Mellon Head · 17 Sep 2016

AddRAM said:

What is Fn ?

Sorry. I should have spelled out "Function" to make it more clear. That's what I meant to type.

My laptop has a blue labeled function key labeled "Fn". You press it with F5 to enable an external monitor.

I don't believe that newer laptops have to do that anymore. I think they auto detect.

Eric3742 · 17 Sep 2016

Mellon Head said:

AddRAM said:

What is Fn ?

Sorry. I should have spelled out "Function" to make it more clear. That's what I meant to type.

My laptop has a blue labeled function key labeled "Fn". You press it with F5 to enable an external monitor.

I don't believe that newer laptops have to do that anymore. I think they auto detect.

Correct. Several functions for each FN+F5 .
Enable external monitor, Both monitor, Disable external monitor.

Wiki:

Fn, short for function, is a modifier key on many keyboards, especially on laptops, used in a compact layout to combine keys which are usually kept separate. It is typically found on laptops due to their keyboard size restrictions.