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Third Monitor not Detected: 6 Steps to Make it Active again
Restore the versatility of the multiple monitors with our easy fixes
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 8, 2024
updated onOctober 8, 2024
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Key notes
To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:
Along with the continuous growth of technology, many users started using a three-monitor display setup for a better programming andgaming experience, among other use cases.
There is a common problem with using this type of display setup, though. Users reported that they couldn’t connect their 3rd monitor to the Windows OS.
Why is my 3rd monitor not displaying?
This is a frequent issue in Windows, and sometimes it could be triggered by a monitor compatibility problem. Thankfully, like thesecond monitor not detectedissue, we have provided easy fixes.
The primary reason the third monitor is not detected on a Windows 10/11 laptop or desktop is compatibility issues. Also, this issue can be traced tooutdated and faulty driverson the main display.
If your PC is outdated, you can also experience problems detecting your other monitors. Irrespective of the cause of the problem, we have prepared details solutions to fix it in the following sections of this article.
Where can this issue appear, and what to expect?
There are different variations of this issue with their triggers. Below are some of them, as reported by users.
In the guide below, we’ll focus on solving the monitors’ connectivity issues in Windows 10.
What do I do if a third monitor is not detected?
1. Try to reconnect the monitors one by one
Although you might think that you have everything in order, sometimes it is better to reinstall your monitor setup.
Various technical issues may sometimes occur when you use more than one DVI to Display Ports.
Try unplugging the monitors in the order displayed in theAdvanced Display Settingswindow. Then, plug them back in afterward. After a few attempts, the 3rd monitor not detected via HDMI issue will be fixed.
2. Change the display settings
1.Press theWindowskey +Ito open theSettingsapp.
2.Choose theSystemoption.
3.Scroll down to theMultiple displaysection.
4.Choose theExtend thesedisplaysoption.
- Close theSettingswindow and check whether the issue persists.
Sometimes, the third screen not detected issue is caused by wrong settings. This problem might occur if you have not set the display to extend to all the connected screens.
So, you should follow the steps above to set it right and then check if the problem is still there.
3. Check for updates
An outdated PC causes all sorts of issues, and the third screen not detected problem is no different. You can automatically install the latest Windows 10 updates by going to Settings and hitting theCheck for updatesbutton.
Alternatively, you can download specific updates from theMicrosoft Update Catalog website. If particular updates bring display bug fixes and improvements, we strongly recommend installing them.
4. Update your graphics card drivers
GeForce graphics cards are known to encounter the third monitor not detected issue. If you don’t want to use the Windows driver updater, as shown below, you can go to NVIDIA’s official website and install the latest updates manually.
Another solution we will recommend is using third-party software that scans your device and finds the most relevant updates by itself. Then, the tool will install the graphics card drivers using its automated technology within seconds.
⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater
5. Enable Set up Multiple Displays for Nvidia graphic cards
You might face the third monitor not detected issue if you don’t have multiple displays enabled in the Nvidia Control Panel. The easy way out here is to follow the above steps.
6. Disable integrated Intel card
Disabling the integrated Intel graphics card is another adequate solution for the third undetected monitor issue. Hardware conflicts may sometimes occur between the integrated graphics card and your primary graphics card.
What do I do if a third monitor is not detected on Windows 11?
The causes third monitor not detected issue is within a close circle. It will be down to your connection or drivers if it is not due to a compatibility problem.
So, to fix it, you need to check your connections carefully and update your display drivers. Also, you can disable your Intel drivers and update your PC. We have shown how to do all this in detail in this guide.
Can my laptop handle three monitors?
Two monitors are the most common connection capacity in most modern PCs. However, there are still a fair few of them that can use three monitors.
To know if your PC can use this configuration, you need to look up your graphics card name and check if it can handle three monitors on Google.
If you are facing thesecond monitor not detected on Windows 11issue, check our detailed guide to restore normalcy quickly.
Feel free to let us know how you solved this issue in the comments below.
More about the topics:Multi-monitor guides,windows 10 fix
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
