can no longer connect to monitor from laptop

[Otis1126]

I can no longer connect to monitor from laptop.  I am getting an error on monitor.  tried unplugging, etc and nothing works.  I recently installed a lockdown browser but have removed thinking this may have caused the problem.  Also, when I close laptop lid, the screen is blank when i reopen but power is still on.  Only way i can see anything on screen is force shut down 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Otis1126 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like there might be a few different issues going on with your laptop and monitor connection, as well as with your laptop's screen. Let's go step by step to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve everything.

1. Monitor Not Connecting (Error on Monitor)

If your external monitor is showing an error, it could be due to a few possible issues. Here’s what you can try:

a. Check Cable Connections

• Ensure proper connections: Double-check that the HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or whatever cable you're using to connect the monitor to your laptop is securely plugged into both the monitor and laptop.
• Try a different cable: Sometimes, the issue can be with the cable itself. Try using a different cable to see if that resolves the problem.
• Try a different port: If your laptop has multiple output ports (e.g., HDMI and VGA), try using a different port to connect to the monitor.

b. Check Monitor Input Settings

• Ensure that your monitor is set to the correct input (e.g., HDMI1, HDMI2, VGA) that matches the connection type from your laptop. You can usually change the input using the monitor’s on-screen display menu.

c. Detect the Monitor Manually

• On Windows: Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Scroll down and click on Detect under Multiple displays to see if Windows can find your monitor.
• On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Displays and click the Detect Displays button to see if it recognizes the monitor.

d. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

• The issue might be with your graphics drivers. Check if you need to update them:
  1. Right-click the Start button, then select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics driver, and choose Update driver.
  3. If that doesn’t work, try Uninstalling and then Reinstalling the driver by right-clicking the driver in the Device Manager.

2. Laptop Screen Goes Blank When You Close the Lid

The issue with your laptop screen going blank when you close the lid is also concerning. Let's fix that!

a. Check Power Settings

Your laptop might be set to go to sleep or hibernate when you close the lid. You can change this behavior in Power Settings.

• On Windows:
  1. Right-click the Start button and select Power Options.
  2. Click on Choose what closing the lid does from the left side.
  3. Under When I close the lid, make sure it’s set to Do nothing for both Battery and Plugged in.
  4. Save changes and check if the screen stays on when you open the lid.

b. Update Display Drivers

If there’s an issue with the graphics drivers, it could cause your laptop screen to malfunction when reopening the lid.

• Follow the same steps as above (in the Monitor Not Connecting section) to update or reinstall your display drivers.

c. Perform a Hard Reset

Sometimes, a hard reset can help resolve power and display issues:

1. Turn off your laptop.Unplug the laptop from the charger and remove the battery (if removable).
2. Hold the power button for about 15-20 seconds to drain any remaining power.
3. Plug the laptop back in, reinsert the battery (if applicable), and power it back on.

d. Check for System Updates

It's always a good idea to make sure your operating system is up-to-date, as updates often include bug fixes for display issues:

• On Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then check for updates and install them.

I hope this helps.

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