All modern laptops can connect to an external display, such as an LCD monitor, projector, or TV. The external display can extend your viewing area, giving you more space for applications, or mirror your laptop screen (show the same thing on both screens).
- Laptop External Monitor
- Dell Inspiron Dual Monitor Setup
- How To Connect External Monitor To Dell Inspiron 15 3000
- Dell Inspiron Laptop Screen
How to connect to an external display in Windows
Dell inspiron 1720,vista upgraded to win7 how do i connect to an external monitor?fn and 8 no longer work. Jul 05, 2020 Connect the other end of the cable to your monitor. Match the shape of the other end of the video connection cable with the port on the TV and insert it. If the monitor requires a different type of connection than is on your laptop, you'll need an adapter cable to connect to your monitor.
To connect the external display to a laptop, locate the correct port on the body of your laptop. Most laptops utilize on or more of the following connections: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or USB-C (Thunderbolt 3). Some older laptops use VGA. These various connections are shown in the images below.
Once you plug the display into your laptop, you may be required to press one or more keys on the laptop's keyboard to 'activate' the external display. This shortcut key combination varies depending on the laptop, but is often one of the following: hold the Fn key, and then press F3, F4, F5, F7, F8, F9, or F10.
The activation function key usually has a picture of a monitor on or above it. Consult your laptop's manual if you can't find the key. If you are still having trouble, or you need to download a copy of the manual, visit the laptop manufacturer's website.
How to connect an external display on macOS
For users with macOS X 10.8 or later:
- Access the System Preferences menu and select the Displays option.
- Press and hold the Option key.
- In the bottom-right corner of the Displays window, locate a Detect Displays button.
- Click it to force the macOS to look for any external displays connected to the computer.
Laptop connected to a docking station
If your laptop connects to a docking station, there should be several video ports on the back of it for a monitor. However, the types of ports varies from brand to brand. Depending on the docking station, the laptop may have to remain open for a dual monitor display.
How do I disable the auto-switch or specify an external display?
Some laptops have an external display 'auto-switch' feature, which can be configured in the BIOS.
Will a monitor work with my laptop if my laptop screen is broken?
In many cases, yes. If only the laptop's screen is broken, an external monitor will usually still work with your laptop. However, if there are other malfunctioning components, such as your video hardware, the external display may not work.
Laptop External Monitor
Additional information
- See the DVI, external display, and VGA definitions for additional information about these terms and related links.
All modern laptops can connect to an external display, such as an LCD monitor, projector, or TV. The external display can extend your viewing area, giving you more space for applications, or mirror your laptop screen (show the same thing on both screens).
How to connect to an external display in Windows
Dell Inspiron Dual Monitor Setup
To connect the external display to a laptop, locate the correct port on the body of your laptop. Most laptops utilize on or more of the following connections: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or USB-C (Thunderbolt 3). Some older laptops use VGA. These various connections are shown in the images below.
Once you plug the display into your laptop, you may be required to press one or more keys on the laptop's keyboard to 'activate' the external display. This shortcut key combination varies depending on the laptop, but is often one of the following: hold the Fn key, and then press F3, F4, F5, F7, F8, F9, or F10.
The activation function key usually has a picture of a monitor on or above it. Consult your laptop's manual if you can't find the key. If you are still having trouble, or you need to download a copy of the manual, visit the laptop manufacturer's website.
How to connect an external display on macOS
For users with macOS X 10.8 or later:
- Access the System Preferences menu and select the Displays option.
- Press and hold the Option key.
- In the bottom-right corner of the Displays window, locate a Detect Displays button.
- Click it to force the macOS to look for any external displays connected to the computer.
Laptop connected to a docking station
If your laptop connects to a docking station, there should be several video ports on the back of it for a monitor. However, the types of ports varies from brand to brand. Depending on the docking station, the laptop may have to remain open for a dual monitor display.
How do I disable the auto-switch or specify an external display?
Some laptops have an external display 'auto-switch' feature, which can be configured in the BIOS.
Will a monitor work with my laptop if my laptop screen is broken?
In many cases, yes. If only the laptop's screen is broken, an external monitor will usually still work with your laptop. However, if there are other malfunctioning components, such as your video hardware, the external display may not work.
How To Connect External Monitor To Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Additional information
Dell Inspiron Laptop Screen
- See the DVI, external display, and VGA definitions for additional information about these terms and related links.