How to Set Up Dual Monitors with HDMI on Windows and Mac

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Connect two monitors to your computer on Windows & macOS

Co-authored by Chiara Corsaro and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: July 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Connecting Dual Monitors

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Setting Up Dual Monitors on Windows

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Setting Up Dual Monitors on Mac

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Expert Interview

This wikiHow article teaches you how to set up a dual monitor display on a PC or Mac using HDMI cables. If your computer does not have two independent HDMI ports, you can purchase an HDMI adapter that works with a USB 3.0 port (which allows more than just data transfer).

Connecting Monitors with HDMI

Connect both monitors to your computer using HDMI cables and plug them into an outlet. Then, right-click on your desktop and click Display settings. Use your mouse to move the monitors in the diagram so they're in the order you desire. Hit Apply to confirm these settings and finish setting up your dual monitors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Connecting Dual Monitors

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1
Purchase an HDMI adapter (if needed). Many PC graphics cards have two independent HDMI ports in order to support dual monitors. However, most PCs only have one HDMI port. Check your PC to see how many HDMI ports it has. If you are using a laptop, or your PC only has one HDMI port, you will need to purchase a USB-to-HDMI adapter. You can purchase these from most electronics stores.
- You can even purchase dual HDMI adapters that allow you to connect two monitors to a single USB port.
Make sure you have enough space for both monitors. Place them next to each other and make sure they are within reach of your computer tower and power supply.

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Connect the monitors to your computer. HDMI cables have a rectangle-shaped plug with notched corners on the bottom. Locate the port that matches the shape of the HDMI cable plug and plug one end of the cable into the monitor. Then plug the other end of the cable into the computer's HDMI. Then repeat with the next monitor.
- Most computer have their HDMI ports located on the back of the computer tower. If you are using a Laptop, the HDMI can usually be found on the left or right side of the keyboard. If your laptop does not have a USB port, you will need to use a USB-to-HDMI adapter.
- If you are using a USB-to-HDMI adapter, plug the adapter into a USB 3.0 port on your computer. Then connect the HDMI cable to the other end of the adapter. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to one of the monitors.
- If your computer has a dedicated graphics card, connect your monitors to the dedicated graphics card rather than the PC's integrated HDMI port.^{[1]
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Make sure you have an electrical outlet near your monitors and computer. Plug a power strip into the electrical outlet and then plug both the monitors and computer into the power strip.
Once everything is set up and connected, press the power button on your PC to turn it on.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Setting Up Dual Monitors on Windows

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This displays a context menu next to your mouse cursor.
It's in the context menu that appears when you right-click your desktop. It's next to an icon that resembles a computer monitor.
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Click and drag the monitors in the diagram to match how they are arranged. You will see two monitors in the diagram under "Display" labeled "1" and "2". Click and drag the monitors in the display to match how they are arranged on your desk. You can arrange them from left to right, right to left, top-to-bottom, or in any other direction you can think of.
- If you are not sure which monitor is which, click Identity below the display. This displays the corresponding number for each monitor on the monitor itself.
- Pay careful attention to any offsets in your monitor arrangement. For example, if one monitor is slightly lower than the other, make sure it is reflected in the way you arrange the monitors in the display.
- If you don't see an image on both displays, click Detect to automatically detect the displays.
This applies to the arrangement settings as displayed in the diagram.
This highlights the monitor in blue. Any display settings you change will be applied to the monitor that is highlighted in blue.
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Select the display settings for the monitor (optional). Use the drop-down menus below "Scale and Layout" to change your display settings. The drop-down menu options are as follows:
- Use the drop-down menu below "Change the size of text, apps, and other items" to change the scale of objects in your display. "100%" is the normal size. Select "125%," "150%', or "175%" to make objects and text appear larger on your screen.
- Use the drop-down menu below "Display resolution" to change your monitor's screen resolution. Normally, Windows will detect what resolution your monitor supports and automatically set the resolution to the recommended resolution. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the monitor's image will be.
- Use the drop-down menu below "Display orientation" to select the monitor's orientation. "Landscape" is the standard lengthwise display. "Portrait" rotates the image 90 degrees and displays a "tall" image on your computer monitor. You can also select Landscape (flipped) or Portrait (flipped) to display an upside-down image.
Use the drop-down menu below "Multiple Displays" to select a multi-display mode. The most common mode is "Extend these displays." This allows you to drag objects from one monitor to the other. You can also select "Duplicate these displays" to display the same image on both displays. You can disable one of the monitors by selecting "Show only 1" or "Show only 2."

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Setting Up Dual Monitors on Mac

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To do so, click the icon that resembles the Apple logo in the upper-left corner.
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Click System Settings. It's the second option in the Apple menu. This displays the System Preferences menu.
- If you have an older version of macOS, you'll see System Preferences instead.
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Click Display. Find this button in the menu on the left side of the window next to an icon that resembles a computer monitor. Click the icon to open the Display menu.
- If your Mac doesn't automatically detect both displays, hold the Option key and click Detect in the lower-right corner of the Display menu.
By default, your Mac should automatically detect the resolution for both monitors. If you want to adjust the monitor resolution, click the monitor you want to change, then click the resolution list.
It's a button in the bottom left corner.
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Drag your displays as you want them to appear. If you want to mirror a display on your monitor, hold the Option key and drag it on top of the display you want to mirror.
- You can also pick Mirror from the "Use as" drop-down menu if you want your selected monitor to mirror another display.
- If you are not sure which monitor is which, click and hold the monitor on your display. This will display a red outline on the corresponding monitor.
- Pay careful attention to any offsets in your monitor arrangement. If one monitor is slightly lower than the other, make sure it is reflected in the way you arrange the monitors in the display.