No Signal Message

Nothing can be more frustrating than turning on your computer and then being faced with the No Signal message being displayed on your monitor, particularly if your computer has started fine and appears to be running (fans whirring, lights on, etc.). Of course, to make matters that little bit more annoying, you can’t see what your computer is doing.

The No Signal message literally means that your monitor is not getting a signal from your computer, but it does have power. There are many different reasons why this could be happening, so the solution will depend on what the actual cause is.

Check the Cable

Before doing anything else, you should make sure that the problem is not due to the cable connecting your monitor and computer. First, you should ensure that the cable is plugged in properly to both the monitor and the computer. Also, ensure that it has not been damaged in anyway. If the cable appears fine, yet you are still faced with the No Signal message, you may want to try another cable just to be sure. If possible, use a cable that you know works. If you are still faced with the No Signal message, then the next cause to check is the monitor itself.

Faulty Monitor

Often, if there is a problem with the monitor, not only does the No Signal message appear on its screen, but most computers also beep on start up when the monitor should be connecting. To determine whether it is your monitor, try plugging the suspect monitor into another computer. Also, you can try plugging a different monitor into your computer. If the monitor doesn’t work when plugged into another computer, then it is likely that you need to have something repaired. If you try a number of different monitors and none of them work, then there is a problem with your computer.

Update Drivers

If you have one monitor work but not another, it could be down to the fact that you have an out of date or faulty driver. Use the Device Manager in Windows to update and fix any drivers. Once you have checked your drivers, try plugging the monitor in to see if it now works.

Graphic Card Issues

Sometimes a faulty graphic card can interfere with how a monitor works. Again, you can check the drivers for a graphic card using Device Manager. Also, you can test the graphic card compatibility by taking out one card and putting in another. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, take your computer to a repair technician so that you don’t cause any further damage.