This article describes how to troubleshoot common issues with a second monitor, such as no content or a black screen, incorrect resolution, artifacts not visible on the primary monitor, or a damaged display. The troubleshooting steps for most of these issues are essentially the same.

Secondary display problems are usually due to a few basic causes:

To diagnose and resolve the cause of these faults, follow the steps below.

Restart your computer. This is a classic troubleshooting step because it often works. It closes other processes that could be interfering with your monitor’s performance and gives you a clean slate to move on.