As an owner of a laptop with only one HDMI port, I was feeling frustrated trying to find a way to connect my two monitors to my laptop. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share my experience and how I solved the problem, as well as other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’m going to explain how I setup two monitors with one HDMI port.
If you’re trying to connect from your laptop to another PC monitor, you need an HDMI cable. However, connecting from a desktop to a PC monitor requires an HDMI splitter to make it work.
Knowing how to set up two monitors with one HDMI port is helpful, whether the purpose is for work or leisure.
| Situation | Method | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop to PC Monitor | Direct HDMI Connection | 1. Check if laptop allows multiple displays. 2. Inspect laptop and monitor for available ports. 3. Connect HDMI cable from laptop to monitor. 4. Select HDMI input on monitor. 5. Adjust laptop display settings to choose primary window and display mode (duplicate, extend, or single display). |
| PC Monitor to Another Monitor | HDMI Splitter | 1. Insert HDMI cable into primary monitor’s HDMI output. 2. Connect other end of HDMI cable to HDMI splitter’s input port. 3. Use another HDMI cable to connect to the second monitor’s HDMI-IN. 4. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI splitter’s output port. Note: This method results in screen mirroring, not an extended display. |
| HDMI Adapter | 1. Connect primary monitor to PC’s HDMI-OUT. 2. Use VGA cable to connect primary monitor’s output port to HDMI adapter’s input port. 3. Connect HDMI cable to primary monitor’s HDMI-IN. 4. Connect other end of HDMI cable to HDMI-OUT adapter. Note: This method |
Table of Contents
How to Setup 2 Monitors with a Single HDMI Port
Setting up a second screen for your laptop, desktop, or TV isn’t as complicated as you think. You can install two monitors with a single HDMI port with proper knowledge independently.
Check the HDMI port on your PC or TV when connecting a second monitor. Doing so will let you know what cable type to use.
Type A, also known as the Standard HDMI connector, is the usual type of connector you can find in almost all TV brands, computer monitors, and laptops.
Setting Up 2 Monitors with One HDMI Port (Laptop to PC Monitor)
If you want to add an extra screen to your laptop, you can connect your PC monitor as an extension. Here’s how you can do the setup:
- Check if your laptop allows multiple displays; you’re good to go if it does.
- Inspect your laptop and monitor to see what type of ports they have.
- Usually, your laptop would have an HDMI port and a USB port; use an HDMI cable for the HDMI port.
- Next, connect one side of the HDMI cable to your laptop’s port and the other side to the PC monitor.
- Go to the PC monitor’s input settings and select the port where you plugged the cable.
- Now, your laptop’s screen display is the same as what you have on your PC monitor.
- This time, go over your laptop’s display settings where it shows your setup so you can choose your primary window.
- If you want your laptop to be the primary window, set it as number 1, and the monitor as 2.
- You’ll see the Multiple Displays feature as you scroll down in the display settings.
- Select how you’d like the display on your two monitors (duplicate, extend, or show only on one monitor).
Multiple Displays
This feature provides options for duplicating, extending, or showing only one display. Let’s quickly go over the three options:
- Duplicate the display– If you choose this option, both monitors will have the same display.
- Extend the display– As the name implies, you can expand your applications to the other monitor.
- Show only on 1– The display will only show on the laptop and not on the second screen.
- Show only on 2– The display will be on the monitor, not the laptop.
Note: Remember which one is your main screen. If you choose your laptop as your main screen (display 1), all the applications on your desktop will show up there.
Cable Types for Your Laptop
There are various types of cables that you can use to display a video on a laptop. These include:
- Display port
- HDMI (most common)
- DVI (for older versions of technology)
Setting Up 2 Monitors with One HDMI Port (PC Monitor to Another Monitor)
Using two monitors is particularly ideal for gaming. It provides a broader display for a better complete gaming experience.
Connecting two monitors with a single HDMI port requires an HDMI splitter, an HDMI adapter, and a graphics card that supports multiple displays.
Here are the steps to do it:
- Insert one of the HDMI ends into the HDMI output port of your primary monitor.
- The other end of the HDMI cable will go to the HDMI splitter’s input port.
- Use another HDMI cable to connect to the second monitor’s HDMI-IN.
- Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI splitter’s output port.
- Use another HDMI cable to connect the second monitor and do the same.
- You’ll know you’ve successfully done it if both monitors display the same.
Note: Using an HDMI splitter only results in screen mirroring and does not extend the display. You should use an HDMI adapter if you want to expand your screen.
Connecting 2 Monitors with One HDMI Port Using an HDMI Adapter
Follow the steps to connect the two monitors with an HDMI adapter successfully:
- Connect your primary monitor to the HDMI-OUT of your PC.
- Use a VGA cable to connect to your primary monitor’s output port.
- The other end of the cable should go to the HDMI adapter’s input port.
- Using an HDMI cable, connect it to the primary monitor’s HDMI-IN.
- Connect the HDMI cable’s other end to the HDMI-OUT adapter.
After setting it up, you’ll see that both your monitors are now on extended displays.
Setting Up 2 Monitors with One HDMI Port (Laptop to TV)
You can connect your TV using an HDMI cable if you want more screen display. It’s the same as connecting a PC monitor to your laptop.
Read the steps below on how to do it:
- Start connecting the HDMI cable to the TV and the other end to the laptop’s HDMI port.
- Go to your TV’s settings and choose the output.
- If you inserted it in HDMI 1, select it as the output.
- You’ll see the screens duplicated this time, but you can still change that in your computer’s settings.
- Proceed to your laptop’s display settings, and you can adjust the display just like you’d set the displays for the laptop and PC monitor.
Conclusion
Knowing the how-tos of setting up multiple monitors with a single HDMI port is vital. You can increase your screen space, work efficiently, and enjoy gaming and streaming.
