How to Set Up Dual Monitors
Laptops today are almost as fast and powerful as desktop computers are, and with more people than ever working on the go, laptops have become an essential part of our work and business lives.
However, one of the things that make laptops so great — their small size and resulting portability — can also be a limiting factor for their use, especially for those who need multiple windows open at the same time. Using multiple windows on a small laptop screen can be frustrating, as it means that the user has to constantly open and close windows and tabs, or shrink some windows until they are almost too small to see. This is where the dual monitor setup comes into play.
Monitors today are bigger than ever, incredibly affordable, and spot high resolution and bright, clear graphics. All you need now is a way to easily hook up multiple monitors to your laptop, and you’ll be ready to get down to some serious work. Luckily, AUKEY has the solution for you.
Find the Available Ports for Your Laptop
Are you wondering how to hook up two monitors to a laptop? Most Windows laptops made in the last few years will support dual monitors, and many will even support three monitors. To make sure your laptop is able to add two external monitors, check your Windows operating system and the capabilities of your graphics cards and drivers.
Windows 7, 8, and 10 all support multiple monitors, so assuming you have one of those operating systems, you will need to check the graphic card and ports on your laptop.
Available Ports for Graphics Card Requirements
The first step of learning how to connect two monitors to a laptop HDMI is checking the graphics card: You need to make sure your graphics card can support multiple monitors. One way to do this is to go into your settings and search for monitors. Many may automatically display search results for “Rearrange multiple displays”, for example. You may also check the back or sides of your laptop — if there are multiple input ports, it should support multiple monitors. You can also search Control Panel → Device Manager → Display Adapters, or simply refer to Google if you have further questions.
How to Connect Two Monitors to a Laptop HDMI
You may likely find that while your graphics card can support multiple monitors, your computer does not have enough ports to make it all work. This is natural, and a number of add-on tools can help out. For instance, you can:
- Use a pluggable 4K display port and HDMI dual monitor adapter: This is a small box that has a USB-C cable that plugs into the USB-C outlet on your laptop and can support multiple monitors through the use of dual HDMI ports. If you do not have a USB-C adapter on your laptop, or you do have one but it is being used for something else, you can get a USB-C adapter to plug into one of the other USB ports on your laptop.
- Use a switch splitter or display splitter: This is a smaller, simpler, and less expensive option than the pluggable 4K display port. A USB-C to dual HDMI adapter converter is a simple connection device that allows plugging in two HDMI monitor cables at once, and the device plugs into your computer’s USB-C port.
- Use a USB-C hub docking station with multiple HDMI ports: For many, this will make the most sense. Docking stations can act as a central hub for all of the hard extra work your laptop is doing. Available in a huge variety of sizes, a docking station can do much more than just accommodate multiple monitors. They can also be a headquarters where you hook up an external mouse, a wireless keyboard, and cables so you can also charge your phone, connect an external hard drive, and more.
What Hub or Dock Station Do I Need?
AUKEY is a recognized leader in USB-C hubs and provides a wide range of options. USB-C hubs from AUKEY easily plug into your laptop’s USB-C port. What you do next is up to you. To help you narrow it down, we’ve listed a few of AUKEY’s most popular USB-C hubs below:
AUKEY CBC71 8-in-1 USB-C Hub with Ethernet Port, 4K USB-C to HDMI
Sleek and attractive, this do-it-all hub has six ports and two card slots, plus video outputs, convenient charging, and fast data transfer.
AUKEY CB-C91 8-in-1 USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet Port (Silver)
One of our most powerful options, this USB-C hub has SuperSpeed data transfer, fast charging, and broad device compatibility.
AUKEY CBC64 USB-C Hub Ultra Slim with 4 USB 3.0 Data Ports (Black)
Affordable and efficient, this radically expands the capabilities of your laptop by adding four additional USB 3.0 data ports.
AUKEY Adapter HDMI VGA 1080p Converter
A simple, affordable, and compact tool that adapts a 1080p plug to a VGA plug.
FAQs
How do I connect 2 HDMI monitors to my laptop? ›
- Identify the HDMI port on your computer.
- Once you've found it, plug the end of the HDMI splitter into this port. ...
- Next, connect one end of each cable to a monitor. ...
- Finally, turn on your monitors and computer; you should now see your desktop extended across both screens!
Sometimes you have only one HDMI port on your computer (typically on a laptop), but need two ports so that you can connect 2 external monitors. In this case: You can use a 'switch splitter' or 'display splitter' to have two HDMI ports.
How do I setup dual monitors? ›Connect the monitors to your computer
Take a standard HDMI cable, run one end from the PC's output, and run the other to your first monitor's input. Windows will automatically detect the display. By default, the first display connected will be the main one. Repeat this process for your second monitor.
Use a switch splitter or display splitter: This is a smaller, simpler, and less expensive option than the pluggable 4K display port. A USB-C to dual HDMI adapter converter is a simple connection device that allows plugging in two HDMI monitor cables at once, and the device plugs into your computer's USB-C port.
How do I split my HDMI into 2 monitors? ›Plug the HDMI splitter into an HDMI port located at the side or on the back of your TV. Next, connect the HDMI devices into open HDMI splitter ports (source devices). Remember, you will only be able to plug in one or two sources into your HDMI splitter. Turn on your TV and all sources connected to your HDMI splitter.
What adapter do I need to use two monitors? ›The monitors may come with VGA or DVI cables but the HDMI is the standard connection for most office dual monitor setups.
Do I need 2 display ports for 2 monitors? ›Most modern PCs will have multiple ports that can output to a display. All you need is the proper cables to connect the ports on both your PC and monitor. Do not worry if you need a different port or cable to set up dual monitors. All display connections can be used with most cables thanks to adapters.
Can you connect 2 monitors one cable? ›Essentially, using the daisy chain method you get several monitors working with your laptop or desktop out of a single DisplayPort, or in the case of monitors for Mac® devices, Thunderbolt video out. All you need is one cable to the first monitor, and then one additional cable for each additional monitor.
How many monitors can a laptop support? ›Most graphics or video cards on a desktop computer can support two or more monitors depending on the graphics card and computer specifications. However, laptops can support up to two monitors depending on the computer specifications.
Why is my laptop not detecting my second monitor? ›A buggy, outdated, or corrupted graphics driver can cause problems that may prevent Windows 10 from detecting a second monitor automatically. The easiest method to fix this issue is updating, reinstalling, or downgrading the driver.
Can every computer have 2 monitors? ›
Any modern desktop or laptop PC has the graphics capability to run dual displays. All that's required is a second monitor.
Why is my HDMI splitter for dual monitors not working? ›Overall, the main reason why your HDMI splitter isn't working is likely to be that it isn't in a fully HDCP compliant setup. It may not be a problem with your splitter itself, as it could also be with the HDMI cables that you're using, as well as the TV or monitor you're connecting them to as well.
Can my laptop run 2 external monitors? ›Even if your laptop only has a single HDMI or USB-C port, you can connect dual monitors. Using a suitable HDMI splitter, a USB-C dongle, or a USB-C dongle with HDMI interface, you can easily connect two or more monitors to your laptop.
What cable do I need to connect 2 monitors to my laptop? ›Use an HDMI or DisplayPort Splitter
If your laptop has an HDMI output, you need an HDMI splitter. If your laptop has a DisplayPort output, go with a DisplayPort splitter. Double-check that you have enough cables to get everything connected! You will need two HDMI or DisplayPort cables.
The USB-C laptop dock features a DisplayPort and an HDMI port, giving you the flexibility to connect your displays as needed. It supports dual monitors or a single high-resolution 4K monitor.
Can you run 2 monitors off 1 DisplayPort? ›What is DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST)? DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport allows you to daisy chain monitors with DisplayPort 1.2 ports. Daisy chaining describes the ability to connect a series of monitors to a single video output port on your computer or docking station.
Can I use an HDMI splitter to extend not duplicate my laptop screen across two monitors? ›HDMI Splitter doesn't extend the display. It's just one of many devices at your disposal to replicate HDMI signals.
What does a docking station do for a laptop? ›A USB docking station turns your laptop into a desktop powerhouse, providing full connectivity to monitors, LAN, the internet, printers, and more. The monitor cables are routed to the rear of the laptop docking station creating a tidier desk surface with more space to work.
How do I connect 2 HDMI monitors to my HP laptop? ›Connect the monitor cable from the second external monitor to the video port on the USB video adapter. If the connectors do not match, use the adapter plug that comes with the video adapter to match the connector on the monitor cable. Power on the second external monitor.
How do I get my HP to recognize 2 monitors? ›- Right-click anywhere on the desktop, and then click Display settings.
- Make sure the correct number of monitors displays. ...
- Scroll down to Multiple displays, if necessary, click the drop-down menu, and then select a display option.
How do I enable dual monitors on my HP laptop? ›
Pressing the "Ctrl" key with the "A" key and uppercase "S" key will split the screen horizontally into two regions.
How many monitors can I connect to my laptop? ›Setting up multiple monitors
Most graphics or video cards on a desktop computer can support two or more monitors depending on the graphics card and computer specifications. However, laptops can support up to two monitors depending on the computer specifications.