How to Connect Two Monitors to a Laptop with One HDMI Port (Complete Guide)

ByRatnesh

Because HDMI cables transmit high-quality video and sound, most of us use them to power dual monitors. But what if our computer only has one port? We frequently scratch our heads in an attempt to come up with a possible solution. But it makes no difference how many HDMI ports our devices have. There are several methods for displaying our content on dual or multiple monitors. This article will discuss the major benefits of using HDMI and the easy steps for connecting two monitors to a laptop with a single HDMI port.

What are the advantages of HDMI ports?

There are undoubtedly numerous benefits to using HDMI ports. Some of them are listed below:

  • HDMI 2.1, the most recent HDMI cable, can transmit audio and video signals at up to 48 Gbps. It is, indeed, one of the fastest data transmission cables.
  • Because HDMI cables support a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it’s clear that we see a smooth image and video when displaying our content to an external monitor.
  • HDMI ports have a lot of bandwidth, which is great for gaming. As a result, many consoles, including the Play station, firestick and Xbox, support HDMI cables.
  • Surprisingly, HDMI is also built into home theatre systems. As a result, we can use them to listen to music and watch high-quality movies.

How can you set up dual monitors with HDMI?

To begin, you’ll require two monitors and an HDMI cable for each. You can use standard HDMI cables if your computer has two HDMI outputs and both monitors have HDMI inputs.

However, an adapter cable may be required if your computer has two different video outputs (for example, HDMI and DisplayPort or DVI). Once you have all of the necessary equipment, proceed as follows:

  • For two monitors, connect HDMI cables and plug the other ends into the video output or graphics card ports on your computer.
  • Plug the power cord. Turn on both monitors.
  • Finally, change the display settings on your computer so that each monitor displays a different screen portion.

How to configure dual monitors on Windows?

  • Select Display from the System section of the Settings menu. Your computer should be able to detect any external displays that are connected to it automatically.
Display option in System settings to connect two monitors to laptop with one hdmi port
  • If your monitors have not yet been detected, click the Detect button, and it will be able to detect them.
Detect button in display settings to connect two monitors to laptop with one hdmi port
  • Once your monitors have been detected, you can choose which one to use as your primary display. To do so, select the monitor you want to use as your primary display and check the Make This My Primary Display box. You can readily rearrange the order of your displays in the Display settings panel by clicking and dragging them.
  • After you’ve decided on your primary display, you can adjust the resolution of both monitors. The number of pixels on a screen is referred to as the resolution. More pixels and sharper images are associated with higher resolution.
  • To change the resolution, select a new Display Resolution from the drop-down menu by clicking on the monitor you want to modify, as shown below.
Display resolution drop down menu in display settings to connect two monitors to laptop with one hdmi port
  • If you’re unsure about which resolution to use, start with the native resolution for each monitor. A monitor’s native resolution is the highest resolution it can support without scaling. A 19-inch monitor, for example, with a native resolution of 1280×1024 can display images with resolutions up to 1280×1024 without scaling.
  • Following the selection of a monitor’s resolution, a prompt to either Keep changes or Revert appears, as shown below:
Keep these display settings pop up to connect two monitors to laptop with one hdmi port
  • The resolution will be changed if you choose to keep the changes. Your dual monitor setup is now complete, with the preferred resolution for each monitor selected.

How to Run Dual Monitors With a single HDMI Port?

Follow these steps to set up dual monitors with an HDMI splitter:

  • Determine your computer’s HDMI port.
  • Once you’ve found it, plug the HDMI splitter’s other end into it. Then connect the two HDMI cables to the splitter.
  • Connect one end of every cable to a monitor next. If your monitors have different inputs (for example, one has DisplayPort and the other has HDMI), you must use the appropriate cable/adapter for each monitor.
  • Finally, turn on your monitors and computer; your desktop should now be extended across both screens.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that not all HDMI splitters are created equal. Some splitters only support certain resolutions, so selecting one that will work with your specific setup is critical.

Another thing to think about is whether you need an active or passive splitter. Active splitters are typically more expensive but provide superior performance over longer distances.

A passive splitter should be enough if you are connecting two monitors close to each other. Follow these steps to learn how to connect two monitors to a laptop with one HDMI port.

FAQs

1.    How To Configure Dual Monitors on Linux?

It is simple to set up dual monitors in Linux. Once your second monitor is connected, proceed as follows:

  • Locate the Display settings in your control panel. Click the Detect Displays button if the second monitor isn’t detected.
  • Once both monitors have been detected, you must decide which one will be your primary display. The primary display will show the desktop and launch applications when you boot up your computer. This is usually configurable in the Display settings as well.
  • Finally, adjust the screen resolution and ensure that each monitor displays the correct image. You can often arrange them by dragging one monitor’s image over the other.

2.    How can I Set Up Dual Monitors Using an Adapter?

There are numerous adapters available, so choosing one that is compatible with the computer and monitor is critical. Connect the adapter to your HDMI port and monitor once you have it. If not, you may need to change the display manager settings on your computer.

3.    How to connect VGA to HDMI Dual Monitor Using an Adapter

You’ll need an adapter if you have a computer with a VGA output and want to connect it to an HDTV or monitor with an HDMI input. Converting VGA to HDMI isn’t difficult, but there are a number things to keep in mind.

  • To begin, you will require a VGA to HDMI adapter. These are widely available and reasonably priced.
  • You must then ensure that your computer’s video output is set to the appropriate resolution. Many adapters will only work at specific resolutions, so check the specifications of your adapter before making any changes.
  • Connect the adapter to your computer’s VGA output and your HDTV or monitor’s HDMI input once everything is in place.

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