Nothing is more annoying than when your computer turns on but doesn’t show a display. All of your plans are derailed by it, and you are left feeling incredibly worried.
I was on the edge of a breakdown when I first encountered this problem; would I have to pay for a new one? Or even worse, is the equipment I purchased with my hard-earned money broken?
But, if your monitor is reporting no signal, it’s not always an indication that your monitor or hardware is broken, as I discovered from personal experience. It frequently might be anything as straightforward as a loose cable.
We’ll walk you through the troubleshooting procedure in this comprehensive tutorial. We’ll also talk about the most typical repairs.
Why Is My Monitor Saying No Signal?
The no signal error appears when your monitor is on but isn’t detecting a signal from the connected device. This can be a common problem when trying to connect three monitors to a laptop.
Several things can cause this issue, some more severe (and costly) than others. These include:
- Loose or faulty cables
- Poorly configured display
- Outdated drivers
- Faulty monitor
- Hardware issue
Troubleshooting
Here, we’ll cover how to effectively troubleshoot your monitor. We’ll start with the simplest solutions and work our way to the more complex ones.
Full disclosure: It does get a little trickier if your device is causing the no signal issue.
Please don’t skip any stages. It could be a software problem, such as an outdated driver, or in some cases, a hardware issue.
Please try out all troubleshooting methods before jumping to a conclusion.
1. Check Your Cables
Start by attentively scrutinizing your display cords before doing anything else. One of the most frequent causes of a monitor reporting no signal is a defective, malfunctioning, loose, or incorrectly placed cable.
The correct way to inspect your DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort cables is as follows:
- Unplug each cable and then replug them. Ensure each one is properly connected (fully pushed in).
- It sounds obvious, but you should also make sure each cable is in the right place.
- Next, inspect for cable damage. Look for fraying, bends, and nicks. Since some issues can’t be seen easily, it’s also a good idea to rub your finger along each cable. This will allow you to feel for less obvious issues.
- Examine the cable ports. Dust and debris can clog up the ports and interfere with the connection.
- Check each cable once more on a different monitor. Asking a friend whether you can use their monitor is advised if you don’t have a spare monitor of your own.
- The core cause of the no-signal problem is probably a cable that doesn’t function with the new monitor. A new cable will have to be purchased.
2. Check The Monitor Input Source
Many monitors today feature several input inputs since adaptability is essential in the market. If for whatever reason, your monitor is set to the wrong input source, you’ll no doubt experience any signal issues.
You can check (and change) the monitor’s input source by accessing the display menu settings.
- Simply open up the display menu, and look for the “input source” setting. Some monitors also have an actual button on the side. This button allows you to cycle through the various options.
- Set your monitor to the appropriate input source. For example, if your device-to-monitor connection is through an HDMI cable, you would set the input source as HDMI.
3. Examine Adapters
Examine your adapter as well if you’re using one. Sometimes a display adapter’s flaws can make a connection difficult. Moreover, the type of adapter used can present issues.
The no signal issue could be brought on by your adapter’s inability to support multiple displays or your monitor’s set resolution. We discuss the resolution configuration in further detail down below.
4. Reset the Monitor
Resetting the monitor can occasionally aid in getting everything back to working condition. Although the reset procedure is typically straightforward, it may differ depending on the manufacturer of your monitor.
Visit their help page or consult the monitor’s manual.
5. Test With a Different Device or Monitor
Are your monitor’s cables in good condition, and is the correct input selected on your monitor? Then it’s likely that either your device or the display itself has a problem.
You can use another monitor to determine which one is causing the problem:
- Swap out your monitor for a different one, and connect your device to it.
- If the new monitor works fine, it means your monitor is likely faulty. You will need to get it checked over and repaired by the manufacturer.
Depending on the fault, it might be more cost-effective to invest in an entirely new monitor. - If the no signal issue still appears, it means the problem lies with your PC. You will need to troubleshoot your device – we cover how to do so below.
Having stated that, take in mind that some monitors may function and others may not due to a device issue or setting (such as resolution configuration). For this reason, just to be sure, we advise connecting your monitor to a different PC as well.
6. Check Resolution Configuration
It’s recommended to determine if the resolution setup is problematic before turning on your computer. There will almost surely be a no-signal issue if the resolution on your graphic card is set to a higher level than what your monitor can handle.
You might try starting your computer in safe mode to change the resolution to one that your monitor can handle. It boosts your System by default at a low resolution. The display settings can then be modified using the following technique:
- Open up your Windows settings menu.
- Go to “system,” then display,” then look for “display resolution.”
- Change to the desired resolution.
- A pop-up will appear asking if you wish to keep these display settings.
- Select “Keep changes.”
7. Check the PC’s Hardware
You’ll need to open up your computer and examine the hardware if the aforementioned approaches haven’t been successful. Even one damaged or loose part might cause major problems.
Ensure your computer is off before you start troubleshooting the hardware. Furthermore, turn off all of the cables (including the power cord).
First, inspect for loose components. Open the case and look for anything that seems amiss. A component could appear out of place or be at a slightly awkward angle. Most loose parts won’t be obvious though. You’ll likely have to feel around or reattach each part.
While looking for a loose component is quite simple, locating a broken part might be more difficult. You’ll have to swap them out one at a time to see which is broken.
As the graphics card is more likely to result in a “no signal” problem if it is loose or broken, we advise inspecting it first. Your RAM sticks are another component that we advise you to examine because a bad, filthy, or oxidized ram stick might affect how your monitor displays information. Then examine the remaining gear, such as the motherboard and power supply.
8. Reset the CMOS
You can also try resetting your computer’s CMOS:
- Turn off your PC and unplug all cables.
- Open up the case and locate the CMOS battery.
- Gently remove it from the motherboard – you shouldn’t need to apply much pressure to do so.
- After 1 to 5 minutes, put the CMOS back into place.
Keep in mind that the above process can vary, depending on your device.
If you’re unsure how to do it, watch this video for additional tips:
9. Outdated Drivers
You must download the most recent drivers. Your System may experience a number of issues as a result of outdated drivers. Stuttering, ghosting, and, you guessed it, even a monitor “no signal” problem can be brought on by them.
If you can’t see your display, updating your drivers may be challenging, but you can try starting your computer in safe mode as we covered above. You can update the drivers if the “no signal” problem only occurs rarely or if your display appears on a separate monitor by performing the following:
- Click on the Window start button.
- Search for “device manager,” then click this option when it pops up.
- Go through the categories, and look for the drivers you would like to update
- Right-click the drivers you want to update. Right-clicking will bring up an “update driver” button.
10. Upgrade Graphics Card Drivers
The monitor could be the source of the issue. The bulk of display issues, however, is the fault of the graphics card. Your blank screen is usually caused by a fresh graphics card driver.
It’s possible that some resolutions won’t work with your monitor. You might also be able to use your display to implement solutions that your graphics card is now unable to support. This is particularly valid if your display supports 4K or 240Hz.
If your graphics card is still fairly new, you might be able to solve the problem by simply updating the drivers. The best way to access bug fixes and new features is to update drivers frequently.
New monitors and screen resolutions are supported as well. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can use Windows Update to update your NVIDIA drivers.
Now, verify that the No Signal On Monitor problem has been resolved.
FAQs
Can Power Supply Cause No Signal to Monitor?
Yes, a power supply issue can cause a “no signal” error to appear on a monitor. If the power supply is not providing enough power to the computer components, the computer may not start properly or may experience errors, including the “no signal” error.
In some cases, a power supply may be failing or malfunctioning, which can also cause the “no signal” error. Additionally, loose or damaged cables, graphics card issues, or monitor problems can also cause the “no signal” error.
Why Is My Second Monitor Getting No Signal?
There are several reasons why your second monitor may be getting no signal. Here are some of the most common causes and solutions:
Loose or Damaged Cable Connections
Check the cable connections between your computer and the monitor to ensure that they are secure and undamaged. If a cable is loose or damaged, it may not be transmitting the signal properly.
Incorrect Input Selection
Make sure that the correct input source is selected on the monitor. If the input source is set to the wrong port or signal type, the monitor may not receive a signal.
Graphics Card Issues
If your graphics card is malfunctioning or not properly installed, it may not be able to transmit a signal to the second monitor. Try updating your graphics card drivers or reseating the card to see if this resolves the issue.
Display Settings
Check your computer’s display settings to ensure that the second monitor is configured correctly. Make sure that the monitor is recognized by your computer and that the display mode is set to “extend” or “duplicate.”
Power Management Settings
Some computers have power management settings that can turn off or disable a second monitor. Check your power management settings to ensure that they are not causing the problem.
Why Won’t My Monitor Recognize HDMI?
If your monitor is not recognizing HDMI, there may be several potential causes. One common issue is a loose or damaged HDMI cable connection. Ensure that the HDMI cable is securely connected to both the monitor and the computer, and check that the cable is not damaged.
Another potential cause of HDMI recognition issues is a faulty HDMI port. If your computer or monitor has multiple HDMI ports, try using a different one to see if it recognizes the signal. If a different port works, the previous port may be damaged or faulty.
Why Does My Monitor Say No Signal When I Play a Game?
If you’re gaming and your monitor is reporting no signal, there may be a problem with the GPU, outdated drivers, or a power supply unit that can’t handle the demand. The possibility of your computer overheating is also a possibility, particularly if you’re playing a demanding game without sufficient cooling.
A “no signal” issue is just one of the many performance issues that overheating can bring about.
Conclusion
The “No Signal On Monitor” error message on your computer means that there is a “No Signal On Monitor” issue. The methods we have listed in this post can help you resolve this problem.
Usually, the RAM or graphics card is at fault. Inspect them first, then proceed to the following stage to choose the strategy that will work best for you. However, if you are unable to solve the issue, we recommend you consult with an expert.