Dell XPS 15 Black Screen on Second Monitor

Fixing Black Screen on Second Monitor with Dell XPS 15 (970) and nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Abstract: Experiencing a black screen issue on your second monitor connected to a Dell XPS 15 (970) laptop with an nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card while using Ubuntu? Follow the steps in this article to resolve the problem.

Created: 2024-09-26 by UserComp.com Editors

Introduction

Connecting a second monitor to your Dell XPS 15 (970) laptop with an nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card can help increase your productivity. However, sometimes you may encounter a black screen issue. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of this problem and provide solutions to help you resolve it.

Common Causes of Black Screen on Second Monitor

Some common causes of a black screen on a second monitor when connected to a Dell XPS 15 (970) with an nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card include:

Faulty HDMI cable
Incorrect monitor settings
Outdated graphics card drivers
Power management settings affecting the second monitor

Faulty HDMI Cable

The first thing to check is the HDMI cable connecting the second monitor to your laptop. Make sure it is not damaged or faulty. If possible, try using a different HDMI cable to rule out the possibility of cable-related issues.

Incorrect Monitor Settings

Incorrect monitor settings on either the laptop or the second monitor can result in a black screen. Ensure that the display resolution and refresh rate are compatible with both devices. You can check the monitor settings on your Dell XPS 15 (970) by following these steps:

Right-click on the desktop.
Select "Display settings" from the context menu.
Under "Multiple displays", select "Extend these displays" or "Duplicate these displays" to extend or mirror the laptop display on the second monitor.
Adjust the display resolution and refresh rate as needed.

Outdated Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated graphics card drivers can also result in a black screen on the second monitor. You can update the graphics card drivers on your Dell XPS 15 (970) by following these steps:

Go to the nVidia website.
Select "GeForce GTX 1050 Ti" from the list of graphics cards.
Select your operating system from the list of available options.
Download and install the latest graphics card drivers provided by nVidia.

Power Management Settings Affecting the Second Monitor

Power management settings can affect the second monitor, causing a black screen. To check the power management settings on your Dell XPS 15 (970), follow these steps:

Right-click on the battery icon in the taskbar.
Select "Power options" from the context menu.
Select "Change plan settings" beside the current power plan.
Select "Change advanced power settings".
Expand "Display".
Expand "Second monitor".
Make sure "Allow the second monitor to sleep" is set to "Off".

Summary and References

Connecting a second monitor to your Dell XPS 15 (970) with an nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card can help increase your productivity. However, if you encounter a black screen issue, ensure that the HDMI cable, monitor settings, graphics card drivers, and power management settings are all ```css configured correctly.

Dell: How to Set Up Dual Monitors on Your Dell Laptop
nVidia: GPU Driver Downloads
Microsoft: Change Your Display Settings on Windows

Tags: Dell XPS nVidia GeForce Second Monitor Ubuntu

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