Changing the input signal on your monitor, also known as changing the input source, is typically done directly on the monitor itself using its physical buttons or joystick control. This allows you to switch between different devices connected to your monitor, such as a desktop computer via DisplayPort, a laptop via HDMI, or a game console.
While the primary method involves your monitor's controls, ensuring your computer is sending a compatible signal is also crucial, especially if you encounter issues.
Changing Input Sources Using Your Monitor's Buttons
Most monitors have physical buttons or a small joystick located on the front, side, or back. These controls are used to access the monitor's menu system, often called the On-Screen Display (OSD).
Follow these steps to typically change the input source:
- Locate the Buttons/Joystick: Find the control buttons or joystick on your monitor. Some monitors have dedicated "Input" or "Source" buttons, while others require you to enter the main menu first.
- Press the Input/Source Button: If your monitor has a dedicated button for input source, pressing it will cycle through the available inputs or bring up a quick menu to select one.
- Access the Main Menu (If needed): If there's no dedicated input button, press the main "Menu" button.
- Navigate to Input/Source: Use the navigation buttons (usually up/down/left/right or the joystick) to find the "Input," "Source," "Input Select," or a similar option within the OSD menu.
- Select the Desired Input: Once you've highlighted the Input/Source option, press the "Select" or "OK" button (or press the joystick). This will usually show a list of available inputs (HDMI 1, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, USB-C, etc.).
- Confirm Your Selection: Navigate to the specific input port you want to use (e.g., "HDMI 2" if your device is connected there) and press "Select" or "OK" again.
Your monitor should then switch to displaying the signal from the device connected to the selected port.
Common Monitor Input Types
Monitors offer various ports to connect different devices. Common types include:
- HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface (Common for computers, game consoles, media players)
- DisplayPort: High-performance digital interface (Common for computers, often supports higher resolutions/refresh rates)
- VGA: Video Graphics Array (Older analog interface, still found on some older devices)
- DVI: Digital Visual Interface (Older digital interface)
- USB-C (with DisplayPort Alternate Mode): Increasingly common, can carry video, data, and power over a single cable.
Checking Computer Display Settings (If Facing Signal Issues)
If your monitor isn't detecting a signal after you've selected the correct input source, or if you see an error message, the issue might be with the signal being sent from your computer or device.
As noted in troubleshooting guides, sometimes adjusting the display settings on your computer can resolve signal reception problems. For Windows 10 users:
On Windows 10, go to System Display and set the Display resolution. Once you set the correct display resolution, your external monitor will start receiving the signal and fix the error.
Making sure your computer's display resolution and refresh rate are set correctly for the monitor can help ensure a stable and viewable signal is sent.
In summary, changing your monitor's input signal is primarily done using the monitor's built-in controls. If you encounter issues getting a signal, checking your computer's display output settings, like the resolution, can be a helpful troubleshooting step.
