How to Solve No Display on The Monitor

Monitor is not on
Make sure the monitor is on. If no power LED (green or orange light) is seen on the monitor display try pressing the power button until it comes on. If no light comes on after several attempts continue to below connections not connected properly.

Computer is asleep
If your computer monitor was on and you stepped away from the computer and upon returning it was black it's likely that the computer is asleep. Try moving your mouse, clicking the mouse buttons, or pressing any key (space bar) on the keyboard to wake it up.

Connections not connected properly
Computer VGA port and cableMake sure that you are connecting the monitor to the back of the computer in the 15-pin connector as shown to the right or older computer 9-pin connection.

Note: Newer computers may be using a DVI or HDMI cable for the monitor.
If the computer is properly plugged in, make sure it's getting getting power.

If you are not receiving power from a known working wall outlet and if the power cord is removable, replace it with the one connected to the computer and power on the monitor again. If the monitor still does not get power or it is not removable, it is recommended that the monitor be replaced or serviced at a local TV or computer repair shop.

If the monitor is receiving power, check the LED status light.

If the light is orange or flashing ensure that the monitor is not in a suspend mode by moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. If the computer does not get a display by moving the mouse or touching the keyboard, turn off the computer and monitor and reconnect the data cable from the back of the computer, and if removable, the back of the monitor. Turn the computer back on; if you still encounter the same issue, continue reading through the other possibilities.

Monitor settings are not correct
Verify the brightness and contrast is turned up or adjust the brightness and contrast. If adjusting the brightness or contrast has no affect on the monitor continue reading through the other possibilities.

No POST
Does the computer beep when it is powered on or does it appear that the computer has activity? If the computer does not beep or beeps abnormally it is possible that the computer itself is experiencing a hardware issue or is exhibiting a No Post. Run through the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the failure.

Hardware Issue
If you have followed the above recommendations and are still encountering the same issue, it is likely that the computer may have either a bad video card or monitor. The best method of determining this is to do one or both of the following:

• Disconnect your monitor and connect it to another computer. This can be a friend or family's computer or it can be taken to a service center.
• Borrow a computer monitor and connect it to your computer. This will not harm the other computer monitor in any way.

If your monitor works on another computer it is safe to assume that the video card or potentially the motherboard within the computer is bad.

Troubleshooting a bad video card
Note: This page is for troubleshooting a bad video card, before following the steps below we suggest you go through the no display troubleshooting steps. No display can be a monitor related issue, not a post issue, or a video card related issue.

Caution: Each of the steps will require that you open and work inside your computer. While inside the computer make sure you're aware of the potential ESD dangers.

Reseat the video card
If your video card is not an on-board video card, verify that your video card is not loose by removing the video card from the computer and then re-inserting the video card back into the same slot it was removed.

Exchange video
If reseating the video card has not resolved the issue, or your video card is on-board and you have access to another known working video card, try an alternative video card in the computer.

Replace video card
If an alternative video card didn't work or you do not have an alternative video card to try, we suggest purchasing a new video card to replace the defective video card in the computer.

If all the above steps have not resolved the issue, you have a bad motherboard.