Issues with connecting laptop to projector

[teacher_kay]

I am not sure if anyone may be able to help me, but I purchased my laptop last July.  In September, I tried to use a projector and I found that it could not connect to the projector. When I plugged in the HDMI cord into the port, I saw that nothing came up. I tried using a different projector, and it worked, so I forgot about the issue. After some months, I found that I was experiencing the same issue again. I saw that whenever I try to connect a projector to my laptop, I find that it takes a lot of time. I have to restart the laptop, or plug then unplug the HDMI plug from the port multiple times until it starts to work. I try using other HP laptops of the same model, and they work perfectly fine and connect to the projector instantly. I also did a scan, and it showed that my laptop did not need any new updates.  I'm not sure what the issue is, as I take good care of my laptop.

[Max3Aj]

@teacher_kay, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

I understand how frustrating it can be when your laptop doesn’t consistently connect to a projector, especially when other similar models work without issues. Let’s go through a few steps to help isolate and resolve the problem with your HP 14 Laptop PC 14-dq0000.

Check HDMI Port Physically

• Inspect the HDMI port for any dust, debris, or looseness.
• Gently wiggle the HDMI cable when connected, if the display flickers or disconnects, the port may be loose.

Update Graphics and Chipset Drivers Manually

Even if HP Support Assistant shows no updates, it’s worth manually updating:

• Go to the HP Software and Driver Downloads page.
• Enter your product number.
• Download and install the latest Intel Graphics Driver and Chipset Driver.
• Restart your laptop after installation.

Disable Fast Startup

Sometimes Windows Fast Startup interferes with HDMI detection:

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
• Save changes and restart.

Adjust Display Settings

• Press Windows + P and select Duplicate or Extend.
• If the projector isn’t detected, right-click on the desktop > Display settings > Detect.

Try Safe Mode or Clean Boot

To rule out third-party software interference:

• Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and test the HDMI connection.
• Alternatively, perform a Clean Boot to isolate background services.

BIOS Update (Advanced)

If the issue persists, check if there’s a BIOS update available for your model on the HP support site. Be cautious and follow instructions carefully.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue and other identical HP laptops work fine with the same projector and cable, your unit may have a hardware-level HDMI port issue. 
 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support