Common Causes of No Signal on Computer Monitor and How to Fix Them

Quick Fixes for No Signal on Your Computer Monitor

Encountering a computer that turns on but has no display can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if you have something important to do. In such a situation, you might worry about having to spend money on a new computer or if your hardware is faulty. However, a “no signal” message on your monitor does not always indicate hardware problems; it could be as simple as a loose cable. This comprehensive guide will help you troubleshoot the issue and offer solutions, including common fixes. Don’t let a no display problem bring you down; read on to get your computer up and running again.

There are several possible causes of “no signal” on a computer monitor, including:

  • Loose or disconnected cables: A loose or disconnected cable between the monitor and computer can cause the monitor to display “no signal.”
  • Faulty cable: A damaged or defective cable can also cause a “no signal” message on the monitor.
  • Incorrect monitor input source selection: If the monitor is set to the wrong input, it may not receive any signal from the computer.
  • Corrupted graphics driver: A corrupted graphics card driver can prevent the computer from sending the correct signal to the monitor.
  • Faulty graphics card: A damaged or defective graphics card can also result in a “no signal” message on the monitor.
  • Incorrect BIOS settings: Incorrect BIOS settings can cause the computer to send an incompatible signal to the monitor.
  • Faulty monitor: A faulty or damaged monitor can also display a “no signal” message.

No Signal on Your Monitor? Here’s What to Do

Here are the best troubleshooting tips you need to perform if you are experiencing monitor display issues on your computer.

Solution 1: Is the monitor turned on?

Begin troubleshooting by checking if the monitor display is powered on. Sometimes this monitor might be turned off which can then lead to blank screen problem. Press the power button on the monitor to turn it on. You should also make sure that its power cable is connected to the power strip ( make sure that the power strip is turned on) or wall outlet.

Solution 2: Check the monitor cable

Your monitor will have a cable to connect it to your computer. This can either be an HDMI cable, DisplayPort cables, or even the older VGA cable. Whatever cable your monitor is using make sure that it is not loosely connected on both ends.

Monitor cable inspection

Unplug the monitor cable then plug it back ensuring that it is properly connected and in the correct place.

Check for cable damage, including fraying, bends, and nicks.

Check the cable port, as dust and debris can interfere with the connection

Try testing the cable on a different monitor, if it doesn’t work then replace this cable with a new one.

Solution 3: Check monitor input source

Is your monitor input source correct? One of the main causes of a no input signal error is when the monitor does not have the correct input source set. Your monitor will usually be able to accept multiple input sources and right now it’s not getting any input signal because it is set to a different input source. To fix this no input signal issue you just need to change the input setting.

Changing the input source

Turn on the computer monitor.

Look for a button on your monitor that is labeled “Input” or “Source”.

Press the “Input” or “Source” button to cycle through the available input sources. You should see a menu or a list of input sources appear on your screen.

Keep pressing the button until you reach the input source that corresponds to your computer. Common input source names include “HDMI”, “VGA”, and “DisplayPort”.

Once you have selected the correct input source, wait a few seconds for your computer’s display to appear on the screen.

Solution 4: Check your graphics card

Another factor that can cause no signal issues on your computer is your graphics card. The type of graphics card you’re using can be a problem, especially if it doesn’t support multiple monitors or your monitor’s configured resolution. Therefore, it’s crucial to examine your graphics card carefully and ensure it’s compatible with your monitor’s requirements.

Changing display resolution

If your graphics card’s resolution is set higher than what your monitor can support, it can lead to a “no signal” issue. It’s important to ensure that your graphics card is configured to match your monitor’s maximum resolution to prevent this issue from occurring. You can change the display resolution in safe mode.

  • Open up your Windows settings menu.
  • Go to “system,” then display,” then look for “display resolution.”
  • Change to desired resolution. You should try changing to a lower display resolution setting.
  • A pop up will appear asking if you wish to keep these display settings. Select “Keep changes.”

Restart the computer then check if the issue still occurs.

Graphics driver

Another factor to consider is if you have outdated graphics card drivers. Outdated drivers can usually cause display problems on computers which is why you will need to make sure that the latest drivers are installed.

If you’re having trouble updating your drivers because your display isn’t working correctly, you can try booting up your computer in safe mode.

  • Click on the Window start button.
  • Search for “device manager,” then click this option when it pops up.
  • Go through the categories, and look for Display adapters.
  • Right-click the drivers you want to update. Right-clicking will bring up an “update driver” button.

Solution 5: Check your computer hardware

Sometimes a hardware issue such as loose internal computer components can cause this particular problem.

Before you begin checking your hardware, ensure that your computer is turned off, and all cables (including the power cord) are unplugged.

Inspect for any loose components inside your computer’s case. Look for anything that appears out of place or at an awkward angle. Some loose parts may not be immediately apparent, so you may need to feel around or reattach each part to ensure they’re securely in place.

Some loose connections you should check are the graphics card and the RAM.

Solution 6: Incorrect BIOS settings

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware embedded in a computer’s motherboard that performs hardware tests and initializations during startup. It also provides instructions for communicating with hardware components and contains settings that can be modified to customize the computer’s hardware configuration.

Sometimes a wrong BIOS setting can cause no signal issues. You can fix this by resetting the BIOS to default configuration.

Reset BIOS

  • Turn off your computer and unplug all cables.
  • Open your PC case and locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard.
  • Use your fingers or a non-metallic tool to carefully remove the CMOS battery from its socket.
  • Wait for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, to ensure all the stored power is drained from the motherboard.
  • Re-insert the CMOS battery into its socket.
  • Close the computer case and reconnect all cables.
  • Turn on the computer and enter BIOS setup.
  • Restore the default settings or reconfigure the BIOS settings as required.

Solution 7: Try using an alternative monitor

If you have already performed the troubleshooting methods listed above and the issue still persists then this might already be caused by a problem with your monitor. Either the monitor has damaged internal components causing this issue or it can’t provide the necessary display output.

The best thing to do right now is to get a new monitor or if you have a second monitor available try using this instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What does “No Signal” on my computer monitor mean?

    “No Signal” means that the monitor is not receiving a signal from the computer or other input source.

  2. What causes “No Signal” on my computer monitor?

    “No Signal” can be caused by a variety of factors, including loose cables, faulty hardware, incorrect input settings, and outdated drivers.

  3. Why does my computer monitor say “No Signal” when I connect it to my laptop?

    If your computer monitor says “No Signal” when connected to your laptop, it could be due to a faulty cable, incorrect input settings, or outdated drivers.

  4. How can I fix “No Signal” on my computer monitor?

    To fix “No Signal,” try checking and reseating cables, adjusting input settings, updating drivers, resetting BIOS, and checking for faulty hardware.

  5. Can the power supply cause no signal to monitor?

    Yes, a faulty power supply can cause no signal to the monitor. If the power supply is not providing sufficient power to the components in the computer, it may cause the computer to fail to boot up properly, resulting in a no signal error on the monitor. It is recommended to check the power supply and replace it if necessary if you suspect it is the cause of the issue.


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