So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and want to know how to connect dual displays to your PC. Doing so will enable you to increase your productivity since you have such a wider workspace. No more wasting time maximizing, minimizing and positioning windows. We’ll help you get started with connecting dual displays.
Scenario 1 – Multiple Video Ports
Look at the back of your computer. You will most likely have one or more of the following video ports. SVGA, HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort.
If you have multiple ports, regardless of the combination, most video cards will allow you to use two of them simultaneously for your dual display setup. For example, you may be able to connect one display to the DVI port, and the other display to your SVGA port.
On some systems, you may have to enter BIOS setup before the computer boots and set your computer to allow two displays.
Scenario 2 – One Video Port
If you only have one video port on your computer, you should know that you cannot use a splitter on a single SGVA, HDMI, or DVI port. If you try to use a splitter with any of these ports, the same image will appear on both screens. It will NOT expand your workspace across both displays and work independently.
Assuming your computer has a USB port, the best solution would be to purchase a DisplayLink adapter. A DisplayLink adapter will allow you to connect and extend your display to another display by connecting it to the USB port.
There is a multi-splitter for those of you with a single DisplayPort port.
Scenario 3 – DMS-59 port
There is something called a DMS-59 port that allows you to use a splitter cable to obtain a dual display setup. The DMS-59 port is sometimes mistaken for a DVI port. A DMS-59 port can be found on many brand name video cards and computers such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo. You can use a DMS-59 VGA Splitter Adapter Cable to connect dual displays via a VGA cable or a DMS-59 Dual DVI Splitter Adapter to connect dual display via a DVI cable.
Once you have connected your displays to your computer using any of the above suggestions, your computer will likely detect both displays automatically. If not, you may have to enter the BIOS screen for your computer. You can access the BIOS screen by pressing a certain key when you first start your computer. Every computer uses a different key. You will need to look on your screen when the brand logo appears to see which key(s) to use. Once in the BIOS, look for a setting related to your displays. You should be able to toggle a setting from “Single” to “Dual” or something similar.
Once you’ve got both displays working, you will just need to configure your operating system with the setup you desire. Then you’re ready to start enjoying the benefits of a dual screen setup.
We hope this tutorial has taught you everything you need to know on how to hook up dual displays to your PC. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
FAQ
What about connecting a third display?
Assuming you have two displays connected to your video card via Scenario 1 above, you can purchase a DisplayLink adapter to connect a third display via USB.
Scott says
I have a single HDMI port on the laptop. Wanting to connect dual monitors. If it is an external adapter I don’t mind. a splitter give me a mirror image on laptop screen and both external mintors. Looking for a solution.
Sha sha says
I am trying to hook up my two monitors one has a display port other has hdmi when I try to connect I get message saying not detecting other computer. . What do I need to get this working .
Tammy Waid says
I have one display port. I have tried everything i could think of to get both monitors running. So far just like you said i have both monitors working and they will not work independently from one another. Just ordered the Display Link adapter USB to HDMI It will be here tomorrow. Praying and thanking you that i found your post.
David Henry says
Very useful article. I was really struggle in scenario 1 but I didn’t know how to solve it but now I do. Thanks for sharing. Keep going.
jalal says
i am facing same problem i hooked up vga it displays fine but when im using second display via Display port , also known as D-Sub port there is no display detected on it.
jim says
I am using the dms 59 to dual vga adapter, but the settings seem to not detect the second monitor.
Mitch Bartlett says
Glad the post helped. I did the same thing, hence this post was made.
Sailtrash says
Dude! Lifesaver! …specifically the paragraph under ‘Scenario 2 – One Video Port’.
I have an NVidia Quadro K620 with one Display port and one DVI port. Initially, I was using a Belkin splitter on the Display port to 2x DVI females which my two monitors plugged in to. Worked fine until the Belkin splitter went South… Finding another one was IMPOSSIBLE, ALL BUT DISCONTINUED for some reason. So, I bought a DVI splitter and ran it off the DVI port on the card… DIDN’T WORK! JUST AS YOU DESCRIBE ABOVE! Same image on both screens and Windows would not detect my second monitor, again, just as you describe. So took your other advice above and ran one monitor directly to the DVI port on the card. I put the other monitor into a DVI -> display port cable and into the display port on the card. Works like a charm, all set.
Eternal thanks.
Mitch Bartlett says
Check your BIOS setup before the computer starts, you probably have a setting in there somewhere to allow dual displays.
Nicole says
Hooked monitor 1 up to dvi port with hdmi converter but when I hooked monitor 2 up to vga port with hdmi converter it says inactive no input tried reconnecting used different via cord nothing is working cannot detect monitor 2
Timi says
thank you so very much for this post, I had bout a splitter and my situation was scenario # 2, I couldn’t figure things out until I read your pos thanks a lot