How to Setup Dual Monitors In 2022 (Complete Guide)

Setting up a dual monitor is not everyone’s cup of tea.  And if you are setting up two monitors simultaneously for the very first time, it makes things slightly complex. Usually, setting up dual monitors comes practical when you want to do multiple tasks or want to view more screen information without breaking the scenario.

Even if you have the larger 32 inches display monitor, the dual monitor setup instantly takes things to the efficient level to get the most out of your productive professional tasks. For gamer, and media editors, having a dual monitor screen approach has become more like a pivotal obligation without compromise.

Not to mention how eye travel and viewing approach gets relief from scrolling and minimizing certain apps to get more work done. So, all this and much more privilege only comes if you know how to set up dual monitors and that will become evident if you scroll a few more times to get in-depth insight.

Here in this page we shall shed light on dual monitor setup while keeping the jargon factor at bay!

How to Setup Dual Monitors

Why one would need a dual monitor setup can only be understood if you use or see the productivity level. With more screens you certainly get more work done, and that’s just only one perk of it.

First of all, you need to properly understand that setting up dual monitors is not something that is based on inserting a switch. There are so many “insights” or you can say that factor that depends on the very question. For instance, setting up a monitor with HDMI port, DisplayPort, on a MacBook or more comes with different guidelines.

Therefore, to break down each of the factors with detailed analysis, here is the easier step-by-step process that you should follow!

Dual monitor setup with HDMI

Since HDMI is more like a standard now, we shall talk about HDMI first. For that, your PC must have dual HDMI output for display screen in order to make a seamless connection. You can also make a simplified output-to-input connection. In this process the output of the graphics processing unit is readily connected to the inputs of external display screens.

For dual monitor setup with HDMI, insert the one end of the cable to the computer’s output port and the remaining other end of the cable to the monitor’s input.

This is the step that you need to redo for other displays as well. The window’ or whichever operating system you are using should detect the external device attachment and it will let you make changes into the display settings!

In other words, insert one end of the HDMI cable to the computer’s output power and the other end into the monitor’s input port. Follow the same steps for the other monitor to make it a dual monitor setup. You can also opt for dual monitor setup using one HDMI port. However, that is done by signing the HDMI splitter that is discussed below in this article!

 Dual Monitors Setup with DisplayPort

Dual monitors with Display Port are different. If you have the DisplayPort v1.2 you can connect several monitors in a row without experiencing any possible glitch. So here is the process once you have validated that the GPU supports DisplayPort v1.2 MST!

• First of all, both display monitor should be connected with the power source
• Now use the DisplayPort cable and link the computer to the DisplayPort In on first  monitor
• After that, use another DisplayPort cable and link the DisplayPort Out to the first monitor screen to its DisplayPort In on the second monitor.

This is pretty much it and you have successfully made the monitors to display in synchronized. Once the PC has configured settings you are good to go with your work!

Setup Dual Monitors on a PC or Laptop

Dual monitor setup on PC or laptop is the first and perhaps the most questioned approach that many people still don’t know about. For the ideal and best connectivity with two monitors is to ensure whether or not graphics card support multi monitor setup or not. As a rule of thumb, the computer and laptop comes with HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA ports; so choose the cord accordingly.

When you use the right cable for dual monitor setup with laptop or PC, the windows will automatically deduct its attachment. Although the dual monitor setup with PC is easier and the window will give a unique number to each display for easy identification.

Still if you do not get the display on screen, or the setup getting glitches to detect the display, go to Start and then go to Settings look for the System and then go to the Display there you will see the Multiple Displays tag followed by Detect. Here you can look for the possible settings and arrange them as you want!

Setup Dual Monitors on MAC or MacBook

Dual monitor setup with Mac or MacBook is pretty common due to the robust performance. For that, a video cable is needed for each of the display screens. You may also require an adapter. However Mac already comes equipped with Thunderbolt cable or a DisplayPort cable for its seamless connectivity display. 

For connecting Mac with a non-apple monitor, you will certainly need HDMI cables because MAC also comes with HDMI ensured. So, after you have done the cable connection to the dual monitor setup make sure to configure the display settings as well.

Dual monitor setup differs when it comes to the operating systems and its internal specifications. So, here is the Win 10 and Win 8 process for ideal monitor setting up!

Setup Dual Monitors for Gaming

For gaming dual monitor setup makes the most obvious approach due to the extensive display screen. So if you have the Nvidia GPU you can opt for the Nvidia control panel to get to the settings. The process is as follows:

• Right click on the desktop and look for the Nvidia Control Panel
• Now select the Set up multiple displays in the menu (left side) and pick the monitor from the list.
• You can designate the monitor as the main display and customize the order. Make sure to Apply changes

Setting Up Dual Monitors on Windows 10

If you are using windows 10, here is what you need to do for dual monitor setup!

Right click on the desktop and go to the Display Settings. In the Display Settings you will see Multiple Displays from which you need to select the Duplicate these Displays or Extend these displays

Setting Up Dual Monitors on Windows 11

For those who are using windows 11, the following steps must be observed for dual monitor setup.

• Go to the Settings and go to the System. Now select the Display page (usually appears on the right side).
•  From here, you can choose the monitor in which you want to make changes.
• From the drop-down menu select the option that indicates towards dual monitor setup. The options most likely would be duplicate displays or extended displays.

Use HDMI Splitter

Have you ever heard of the HDMI splitter?  More often than not, HDMI splitter make their usability pretty much noticeable. For those who are new to it, it’s a device that splits the signal from a single outgoing source to ensure or initiate the connection to multiple display screens, like a daisy chain.

It splits the video signal smartly so that it can be used and sent to the dual monitors that you have paired up with the PC system. In other words, HDMI works as a mirror and lets you connect with other monitors. The computer HDMI port connects to the HDMI splitter and the HDMI connects to the monitor using cable and hence you see the display simultaneously!