
If you have only one HDMI port, a dual monitor is still possible! However, you need to opt for a proper approach and solution that keeps things well-organized. As matter of fast, dual monitor setup enhances productivity so it makes sense why one would opt for it on either laptop or PC.
But most of the users do not have the privilege of having a dedicated PC gear or a cord to make things uninterrupted. That’s why it is essential to know how to run dual monitors with one HDMI port. So without any more delay let’s find out the easier way of doing that. When you want to run a dual monitor using only one HDMI port, here is what you need to have already.
Know the Pre-Requisites
1. Graphics card/Video card
Graphics or video cards of the system are related to the display performance. So, your laptop or the computer system must show positive compatibility with multiple displays. If you don’t know about how it’s checked, right click on the desktop and go to the Nvidia Control Panel.
From here, check for the System Information and go to Display. Note your graphics card model and find the answer on Google for updated info. But if the embedded graphics card does not support the multi pointer setup you will need to replace it. The above-mentioned process is for Windows 10.
2. Availability of Ports
Without ports you cannot attach HDMI, obviously! Therefore, check out your laptop to desktop computer for the ports availability. Commonly, the latest laptops and computer systems come featured with include HDMI port, DVI, VGA, and USB-C port. However, the VGA and DVI ports are pretty exceptional to be found in laptops.
3. Support for Daisy Chain Monitor
It’s important that your laptop supports multiple monitor setups or else you will require a graphics card that does that for you. Generally speaking, if you have the windows operating system XP, 7, 8, 10, or 11, it will support the multiple monitor setups.
How to Run Dual Monitors with One HDMI Port?

Make use of an HDMI Splitter
For running dual monitor setup with one HDMI port, HDMI splitter comes as the major assistive approach. Using this HDMI splitter is not only user-friendly but it is also result-oriented without involving too much complexities.
It’s best for duplicating the display or you can say that it mirrors the display. Since an HDMI splitter comes with multiple HDMI ports in it, you can totally lean on its performance as effectively as you get from the ports in your laptop or PC. Make sure you choose the most precise and ideal HDMI splitter that transmits the signal at its peak of quality so that you get a seamless display!
Connecting monitors using HDMI splitter
Probably, you don’t know how to connect two monitors while using the HDMI splitter medium. If so this is going to be a pretty insightful read. For that, the HDMI splitter comes with the cable already attached with it so what you need to do is to insert one end of it to the laptop or computer’s HDMI output port.
After that, use the remaining end of the HDMI cable and connect it to the HDMI splitter’s input port. This is pretty much it and now you are done with the connection. Didn’t understand? Here is the even simplified explanation!
The laptop’s output ports connect with the input port of the HDMI splitter.
How to Connect Two Monitors to One Computer with One HDMI port?
It’s simple as above. All you have to do is to connect two monitors and connect the end of the HDMI splitter to the computer or laptop’s HDMI output port and the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI splitter’s input port!
Connecting monitors using adapter
An HDMI adapter is not similar to an HDMI splitter. It works well and lets you connect multiple display screens with the help of HDMI to DVI adapter or HDMI to VGA adapter. For laptop to computer monitor connectivity you will need a HDMI to DVI adapter! However
Configuring the Monitors
Configuring is highly important once you have used one HDMI port for dual monitor setup. HDMI is one of the standards that is not going to vanish anytime soon for its enhanced quality for both audio and video signals.
By now, you know how HDMI splitter and adapter make their usability ideal for dual monitor running. However, configuring both monitors is also important when it comes to the same information on both different display screens. Windows detects the dual monitor setup as the same when you use an HDMI splitter. So here is the configuring process.
- Go to the Control Panel and look for the Appearance and Personalization.
- From here, click on the Display and look for the tag that says Screen Resolution, click it.
- Here you will see the preview of both of the monitors that you have connected using one HDMI port.
- From the Change the Appearance of your Displays click on the Identical option under Make this my Main Display option or Make this my Main Display box if you have only one computer with one HDMI port. Make sure to keep changes saved and apply it or else you will have to redo the process.