Displayport is a newer technology than HDMI that provides much faster signal speeds. Although these speeds aren’t required for monitors, projectors, or TVs that are lower than 4K, the technology is still the fastest. In rare cases you can get an error message that says that the display device (TV, projector, or monitor) has no DP signal, and today I will explain how to troubleshoot this issue.
As a general rule, start by restarting your computer and the monitor/TV/projector that says no signal. Following that, verify that the DisplayPort cable is connected properly on both ends, then test if the cable is working fine by using a different display port cable or an HDMI cable.
Following these steps, for computers make sure that you have the most update to date graphics card driver, and your Windows operating system has the latest update installed. If either of these are not up to date they can conflict with each other. Below, I will explain how to perform each of these troubleshooting steps in step by step detail so you know exactly what to do to get it working again.
No DP Signal from Your Device Error
The good thing about display devices such as monitors, and projectors is that they will give you the error message that there is no DisplayPort signal. This makes it very easy to see what the main issue is that’s stopping the display device from working. When this error occurs here’s the steps to troubleshoot it and get it working.
Overall, begin with restarting both devices you’re using, this will be the source device such as a computer, as well as, the screen such as a TV, monitor, or projector. The next most common cause is that the DP cable is slightly loose. But all of the steps are explained below.
In total there are 5 troubleshooting steps, these are all very easy to perform. I’ve ordered them from easiest and most likely to get it working.
Each of these steps can get the DisplayPort signal to work, so after each one check to see if it’s working. If not, move on to the step after it.
1. Turn both of the devices on and off again – restart them
In all of my experience working with electronic devices this is one of the most effective ways to solve issues like this. And it’s also very easy to do. To do this step restart both devices you’re using.
You will be using two types of devices, a source such as a computer, and a display device such as a monitor. Turn them off and then unplug them at the wall outlet. Wait for about 30 seconds, and then plug them back in and turn them on again.
It’s common that the software on either device has frozen in the background, which causes things like the display to not work.
2. Check that the DisplayPort cable is plugged in all the way
Cables can easily come a bit loose if they’re bumped. For example, if you unplug or plug something into one of the devices you can accidentally bump or pull the cable a bit, and it won’t be plugged in all the way.
The easiest way to check this is completely unplug the DisplayPort cable at both ends and plug them back in again. Ensuring they’re plugged in all the way.
3. Check the cable isn’t faulty by using an HDMI cable
The DisplayPort cable can have failed, and is causing it to not send any signal. To verify whether the DisplayPort cable is working, plug in an HDMI cable instead. This will tell you whether the issue is with the cable.
Or, is caused by a setting, a software issue on the source and/or display device. If it’s working perfectly fine with an HDMI cable then the issue is with a setting for the DisplayPort cable. Or, the DisplayPort cable is faulty.
If you happen to have another DisplayPort cable then try that. Otherwise, first verify all the settings, and updates are done in the following steps before getting a new DisplayPort cable.
4. Make sure the source is correct on the display device
A simple error to make is to have the display device (projector, TV, or monitor) on the wrong source. Display devices generally need to be set on the right source. For example, if an HDMI cable is plugged into the HDMI1 port but the channel is set to HDMI2, it will show no signal.
The same is true of a DisplayPort. On a TV this is generally changed using the ‘Source’ button on the remote. This will cycle through each of the sources, or it will show a list of each of the sources, and allow you to choose DisplayPort.
Also, if your display device has multiple DisplayPorts, such as DisplayPort1, or DisplayPort2, change it onto the port that you’re using. On the back of the Display device it will have a label for which DisplayPort it is. Select the corresponding source for the port that you plugged the DisplayPort into.
5. For a computer monitor restore it to factory settings
A computer monitor can be reset to factory settings which is very easy to do. This will wipe the brightness and contrast settings which will need to be readjusted if required afterwards. Other than that, there is no issue with putting a computer monitor back to the default settings.
Computer monitors have a menu that can be accessed using the buttons on the monitor. These can either be located on the front, underneath the front, or using a JOG button on the rear of the monitor. In the settings, there will be an option to do a factory reset under the ‘system’ menu, or ‘restart’ menu.
As a general rule, this is where it’s located especially for the big names brands like Samsung. But, if you can’t find it, you may need to look it up on Google, or scroll through each of the menu options to find it.
6. For a computer ensure it’s not plugged into the CPU port
Computers for the most part come with a dedicated graphics card. This is a graphics card (GPU) that is built into the motherboard – also called the CPU. To get better graphics performance a dedicated GPU is installed.
If you have a dedicated graphics card, in general, it will have a DisplayPort port as well. When you have a dedicated graphics card the built in graphics card is disabled. This is because a computer can only use one graphics card at a time.
Therefore, if you’re using the DisplayPort on the motherboard when you have a dedicated graphics card it won’t work. And the cable should be plugged into the DisplayPort port on the graphics card. Generally, there will only be 3 to 4 DisplayPorts at the most.
So, you can just try each one to make sure you’re using the right one. If none of them works then this isn’t the issue. So, try the next step.
7. Update graphics card driver to the latest version (computer only)
Software on computers can have a mismatch. Drivers for graphics cards are updated from time to time, and Windows is updated from time to time as well. When software developers create an update they take into account what version all the other components are.
Therefore, if your graphics card is not the latest version it can create an error, and Windows won’t be able to show the DisplayPort signal. So, it’s important to update the graphics card driver on your computer to the latest version. It’s possible it already is, but the process to check if it is, and to update it is the same.
Windows is releasing a new version of Windows, Windows 11. But, the process will very likely be exactly the same. If not it will be very similar.
8. Install any pending Windows updates so its the latest version
As mentioned about the graphics card and version of Windows if one is updated but the other is not it can cause a conflict which can cause the DisplayPort not to work. So, in this step we’ll check that your version of Windows is the latest version, as well as, install any pending Windows updates. The process to do is very simple:
1. Open the start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard or clicking the Window icon at the bottom left of your screen.
2. Type ‘settings’ into the search box, and the Settings app will show in the start menu near the top. It has a purple cog-wheel icon. Select it – by left clicking it with your mouse.
3. This will open the Settings window which has a bunch of different options. Select ‘Windows Update’. You can also type it into the search box at the top.
4. This will open up the Windows Update options. Near the top it will say that there is a pending update. Or, there is the option to check for updates. Install any pending updates by selecting the button that says to install it. It can also say your version is Windows is up to date, and ‘check for update’. Check if there is a new update, and install it if there is.
9. For a computer check the display device is set to the right option
When sending the video signal from a computer, there are a few different screen configurations. By default the screen will be set to display one monitor. But, for laptops or if you’re using 2 screens it’s a bit different.
It can be set to display only on one of the screens and needs to be changed manually in the settings for it to work. To do that, do the following steps:
1. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and the letter ‘p’ on your keyboard at the same time. That will open up the display settings and show 4 different options for how the video signal will display.
2. The two options that are relevant are Duplicate, and Second screen only. The duplicate setting will show the video signal on one screen, and on the second screen – or other display device that’s plugged in such as a TV. The ‘second screen only’ option will only show it on the second screen and not on the main screen.
Select the one you want to use. The second screen only option is good if you’re watching a movie or something like that. The reason is having it display on the main screen AND the second screen can be a bit distracting.
The same is true if you’re playing video games. However, if you’re projecting it to a much bigger screen such as a projector, or a big TV, having a duplicate screen can be better because it’s easier to use the mouse to change something.
If you have a dell monitor consider this dell monitor displayport not working article.
No DP Signal from Your Device Docking Station
There are what are called docking stations, these allow you to connect multiple different cable types such as USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort into them. It also works as an adapter if your device doesn’t have these connections. If you’re getting no DisplayPort signal when you’re using the DisplayPort connection on a docking station, here’s what to do:
Generally, doing a restart on all the devices involved is the best first step. This can be done by using restart on option for computers. For other devices it’s easiest to turn them off using the remote or power button, unplug them from the wall, then plug it back in and turn it on again.
If your docking station is plugged into a computer there are a few settings that can be stopping it from sending the DisplayPort signal. They’re very easy to change and fix. I’ve explained step by step what to do under the heading just above this one, which says ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error.’
It’s worth going through each of these steps to make sure you’re not missing something simple. Even if you have a face palm moment. Go through each of the steps under that heading, they are very quick and easy to do.
No DP Signal from Your Device After Sleep
Having your computer or TV go to sleep after a set amount of time saves power. At times when they ‘wake up’ again they can have an issue where they freeze or certain things don’t work such as the video signal. For devices that are using the DisplayPort, here’s what to do if you’re not getting any signal after they wake up.
Overall, it’s best to restart your device by turning it off, unplugging it at the wall, waiting for around 30 seconds, then plug it back in, and turn it back on. Most likely a program has frozen in the background and is causing a conflict with your graphics driver.
As devices run they, over time more and more apps can become open in the background. When they’re open they can be doing various minor processes. Over time, as they are open longer and longer the chances that they’ll have an issue and crash (freeze) becomes greater and greater.
When they freeze they can conflict with other software on the device such as the graphics driver, or the software that controls the DisplayPort port. One solution is to close all of the apps and open them again. This is unnecessary on a gaming console.
But, if you’re sending the signal from a computer to a display device, then it’s a good idea to do that. However, it can be difficult to know which apps are necessary to keep open, and which ones should be closed. For that reason it’s best to restart the device.
Also with gaming consoles, TVs, and the display device itself such as a projector or TV, it’s best to restart them by putting them on standby or turning them off, and then unplugging them at the wall. Wait for around 10 seconds, then plug them back in, and turn them back on. Do this for both devices involved, such as the computer or gaming console, and the monitor/TV/projector.
No DP Signal from Your Device After Power Outage
A power outage can cause all the electronic devices to switch off momentarily or for quite some time and then turn back on again. This in effect restarts any devices you have plugged in to the wall outlets. After this happens you can get no DisplayPort signal, here’s how to fix this issue.
As a general rule, start by restarting your computer and the monitor/TV/projector that says no signal. Following that, verify that the display port cable is connected properly on both ends, then test if the cable is working fine by using a different display port cable or an HDMI cable.
It’s possible the power outage caused the source device – such as a computer or DVD player – to turn off and on again. But, rather than being fully on it turned on on standby mode. This will cause the source device to not send any signal until it’s fully turned on.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on March 19, 2022.
Therefore, you need to use the remote to turn it on, or move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to display something on the screen which will get picked up by the DisplayPort. But, multiple power outages in a short amount of time can damage electronic devices. So, it’s possible the DisplayPort or the DisplayPort cable is faulty.
If you have another DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, or a VGA cable try that instead. This is provided the source device such as a computer, or gaming console is turned on.
No DP Signal from Your Device Entering Power Save Mode
If a display device has no DisplayPort signal it will wait for some time and then go into power save mode. The overall issue is that you’re not getting a DisplayPort signal, and to resolve this issue you need to perform some troubleshooting steps to get the DisplayPort signal to work. Here’s what to do.
As a general rule, turn off the display device and source device, then unplug them at the wall, plug them back in, and turn them on again. This will completely restart both devices. After that check if it’s now working, if not then follow the additional steps below.
When devices go into power save mode they can cause the operating system, or an app to have a glitch. This causes a conflict with the graphics driver. But, overall the device goes to sleep because there’s no signal for some reasons.
In order to fix the issue of no signal refer to the step by step instructions explained in the heading near the top of this article that says ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’.
No DP Signal from Your Device HP Laptop/Docking Station
HP laptops and computers are some of the most popular computers. Some can either have a DP port installed on them, or you can use a DisplayPort with a docking station. In either case, the display device such as a TV can not be receiving the DisplayPort signal, here’s what causes it and how to get it to work.
Generally, it’s best to start by checking the graphics card driver, and Windows is up to date. If you’re using the Linux operating system instead of Windows, update that to the latest version as well. After that ensure the DisplayPort cable is plugged in properly on both ends.
This is best done by taking it out and both ends, and then plugging it back in. I’ve explained how to check the graphics card driver and Windows is up to date, as well as, all the other troubleshooting steps you should do near the top of this article under the heading: ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’. Scroll to that heading, and do each of the steps listed there.
No DP Signal from Your Device Lenovo/Thinkpad
Lenovo makes some of the best laptops, and desktop computers. The Thinkpad is their main laptop/touchscreen laptop model, and is very popular. The DisplayPort can need to be specially configured and some of the default settings can need to be changed to get the DP signal to show on a monitor, TV, or projector so here’s how to do that.
Overall, begin by checking your graphics card driver, and Windows are updated to the latest version. If either is out of date it can cause a software conflict which won’t allow the DisplayPort to work. Following that there are many different causes, how to troubleshoot them is explained below.
There are both issues with the Windows software, or settings that need to be changed. As well as, things to check with the hardware such as the cable, and if the cable is plugged into the right DisplayPort. I’ve put together step by step instructions for how to do each of these steps at the top of this article, under the heading ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’. Scroll to the top of this article and do each of those steps.
No DP Signal from Your Device Surface Pro
The Microsoft Surface Pro is an amazing device. It uses the Microsoft operating system, which can require a few tweaks and changing a few settings to get the DisplayPort signal to work. Here’s what to do on a Surface Pro when the DisplayPort signal isn’t working.
Reset both the Surface Pro and the device you’re sending the DP signal to. Resetting a Surface Pro is done by pressing the arrow next to the Shut Down button in the Start Menu. For the display device turn it off/or put it in standby mode, then unplug it at the wall and plug it back in again.
This is the most common way to fix this issue. But, if that doesn’t work then follow the steps I’ve provided near the start of this article under the heading ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on March 19, 2022.
No DP Signal from Your Device Mac
Mac computers use the iOS operating system which is very different from Windows. It can have an issue where the DisplayPort signal isn’t being sent to a TV, projector, or monitor. Fix this issue by using the instructions below.
Generally, fix this by clicking on the Apple logo at the top left of the screen. Then select ‘system preferences’, then ‘displays’. Then press the ‘alt option’ button on the keyboard next to the ‘cmd’ buttons. This will show the ‘detect displays’ button in that menu, then click it.
Mac users report that DisplayPort can work without any issue for a while and then suddenly stop working. And the only way to fix it is to select ‘detect displays’. However, if this doesn’t work then there are a few other issues that can be causing this to happen.
There are step by step instructions at the top of this article under the heading ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’. Go to the top of this article and follow each of the steps one by one under that subheading until it starts working.
If you find it’s still not working after that then it’s best to contact Apple Support to have them look into it for you. It’s possible the DisplayPort is faulty.
No DP Signal from Your Device Windows PC/Computer
The Windows operating system has a few settings that may not be set exactly right for the DP signal to show. There are also some important things to check that can stop it from working. Here’s a summary of what to do when you get no DisplayPort signal from your Windows PC/computer.
There is a driver for your graphics card that can be out of date. The operating system for Windows can also have a pending update. Update both of these, and if it’s still not working then restart your Windows PC/computer and the display device. After that do the additional steps below.
It can be difficult to find the graphics card and Windows update settings so I’ve explained step by step how to do this, at the start of this article. I’ve also provided the additional steps that you should do to troubleshoot this issue.
Go to the top of this article and look for the subheading that says ‘No DP Signal from Your Device Error’. Under that are 9 steps to fix this issue. Do one, and then see if it’s now working, and if not move on to the next step.
There are few basic checks to do first. These are to ensure the DisplayPort cable is plugged in properly on both ends, and that the display device such as a TV, or monitor is on the DisplayPort channel. After that do the additional steps explained further below.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on March 19, 2022.