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Indiana Wesleyan University Support Knowledge Base

Laptop Connection Troubleshooting

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Overview

This document offers steps to take when troubleshooting the connection of a laptop computer to a classroom teaching station. The steps may also be relevant when connecting a laptop to a conference room flat panel display or to a portable projector.

What to do, when the laptop doesn't automatically connect to the display

Connecting a Windows laptop to a display (external monitor, TV, or projector)

Step 1: Identify the Ports

Check what kind of video output ports your laptop and display have.

Common Laptop Output Ports:

  1. HDMI – most common

  2. USB-C / Thunderbolt – newer laptops (may support video)

  3. DisplayPort / Mini DisplayPort

Common Display Input Ports:

  1. HDMI

  2. USB-C

🔄 If the ports don’t match, you may need an adapter (e.g., USB-C to HDMI).

Step 2: Connect the Cable

  1. Plug one end of the cable into the laptop and the other end into the monitor (or projector or TV).

  2. Turn on the external display, if it's not already on.

  3. Make sure the display's selected setting matches the port where the cable is connected - some TVs have multiple HDMI jacks!

Step 3: Switch Display Modes

  1. {Shortcut for Windows users} Press Windows Key + P to bring up the display mode menu.

  2. PC screen only – Use laptop screen only

  3. Duplicate – Mirror laptop screen to display

  4. Extend – Treat external display as additional screen (useful for multitasking)

  5. Second screen only – Use only the external display

Choose your preferred mode using the arrow keys and press Enter.

Step 4: Adjust Display Settings (if needed)

  1. Right-click on the desktop → Display settings.

  2. From here you can:

    • Rearrange displays (drag them to match physical layout)

    • Change resolution or orientation

    • Set primary display

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

  1. No signal on display?

    • Check cable is securely connected

    • Make sure the monitor is set to the right input (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.)

    • Try a different cable or port

  2. Display is detected but blank?

    • Lower the resolution to match the external display’s capabilities

    • Try restarting your laptop with the display connected

Teaching Station Options:

  1. The cable or adapter you need is already on the teaching station: HDMI and USB-C. Select one of these options. Some teaching stations have multiple laptop cable options: HDMI and USB-C. Choose only one of these options.

  2. Press the Laptop button on the Extron Media Link Controller or Touch Panel, located on the Teaching Station.

  3. The video signal cable needs to be connected both to the laptop and to the top of the teaching station, or to the Audio and Video Signal Cable Connection.

What to do when the laptop connects to the display but it looks incorrect

  1. If you are trying to display the same image on your laptop and on the projector or flat panel display, this is called Mirroring. Your laptop may, or may not default to a mirroring status when connected to another display. It may default to Extended Desktop mode instead. You can easily switch between Mirroring mode and Extended Desktop modes with keyboard commands, or by accessing the display settings on your laptop.
  2. Use this guide to configure Extended Desktop, if this is your desire. Extended desktop is desired when the presenter wants to view notes on their laptop screen, but keep them hidden from the audience who are watching the slideshow on the projected screen.
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  2. Tags
    1. flat panel TV
    2. laptop
    3. projector
    4. troubleshooting
    5. video