Are you constantly experiencing ‘No DisplayPort cable’ or ‘No DP Signal from your device’ errors while setting up a Dell monitor? If so, it can be due to incorrect device configuration, outdated graphics driver, loose cable connection, damaged cable, etc. Here, we explain how to troubleshoot these and fix the No DisplayPort cable error.
What is a DisplayPort?
DisplayPort (DP) is a connectivity port that allows using multiple video sources easily with your device. It also can transmit audio and video signals and is mainly used for PCs. However, some confuse it with the HDMI port found in TVs and PCs.
Difference between HDMI and DisplayPort
Regular HDMI and HDMI 2.0 support a maximum bandwidth of 18Gbps, which helps run 4K videos at 60 FPS. However, the DP 1.4 offers a bandwidth of a massive 32.4 Gbps, taking the potential for quality to the next level.
Causes for the Display Port Not working on Windows
There are multiple reasons behind the ‘No DP Signal from Your Device’ error. Here, we enlist the most common ones:
- Damaged Cable: When the DisplayPort cable is damaged, the signal will not be transferred to the monitor. This means there will be only a partial signal, which is insufficient to obtain video and sound.
- Incompatible Graphics Card: Another common reason is incompatible graphics cards. If the graphics cannot intercept the signals, the signal will not be processed.
- Malware: If the computer is infected by viruses or spyware, the signal may stop reaching your monitor. Usually, this happens when malicious software interferes with a driver that enables your display.
- Outdated or missing device driver: When the device drivers are corrupt or problematic, the chances of facing a No DP signal increase.
- Inappropriate refresh rate: This software issue leads to DisplayPort not detecting the issue.
Effective Solutions For ‘No DP Signal From Your Device’ For Dell Monitor
If the DisplayPort option is accessible but no signal appears on the screen, perform the following steps to resolve the issue.
Fix 1. Unplug and Reconnect the DisplayPort Cable
Unplug and reconnect the DP cable to resolve the ‘No DP Signal From Your Device’ error. A loose cable is what usually causes the errors. A damaged DisplayPort, loose cable, or broken/substandard cable can all cause the ‘No DP signal from your device’ error. While at it, ensure no external material interferes with contact between the cable, your computer, and the DisplayPort display.
Fix 2. Restart Your Devices
If changing the cable does not resolve the issue, restart your computer and the external display. Unplug the monitor from its power source, wait approximately 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.
Fix 3. Use a Different DisplayPort Cable or Computer
If you cannot fix the issue, we recommend you try using a different DisplayPort on your current PC or a different computer to connect using the same cable. Confused? Well, don’t be.
Sometimes, you do not realize whether the USB port or the cable is causing the error. Hence, to identify the error closely, you can either –
- Try using a newer cable with the DisplayPort on your PC
- Or, try using the same cable you have on a different PC
This will help you realize the point of error so that you can rectify it accordingly. If the issue is with the PC DisplayPort, it is a hardware error. We recommend that you call in an expert with the same to fix the error.
If the issue lies in the cable, a replacement can be ordered.
Fix 4. Update the Dell Monitor Drivers
Check for the device drivers if you wish to fix the DisplayPort no signal issue. An outdated driver version can and will prohibit the DP cable from recognizing your display. Make sure you install the updated versions of the device drivers. Otherwise, your device may not provide a DisplayPort signal to the monitor. Check for the Dell monitor device name and serial number and go to the official website.
Download and update the DisplayPort driver for Windows 10 and see if the issue is fixed.
Read More – How to Download and Update Dell Monitor Driver
Fix 5. Clear Display Cache
The next solution is to clear the display cache. To do so, disconnect the display from the system and download the Surface Dock registry file. This file will clear the cache whether you have a dock or not. Surface dock registry.reg should be executed. Yes, to allow changes to your Surface; yes, to confirm; and OK, to close the window. Reboot your Surface, connect the Dock and monitors, and test your external display again.
Fix 6. Select the Correct Input Source
If your display has more than one DisplayPort, utilize the menu to pick the proper active input source into which you connected the DisplayPort connection. Assume the display has two DisplayPorts, ‘DisplayPort1’ and ‘ DisplayPort2.’ If your computer is plugged into the first DisplayPort, ensure the monitor’s input source is set to ‘DP1’ or ‘DP2’ for the second DisplayPort.
Fix 7. Update Graphics Driver
If your computer does not identify an external monitor attached through DisplayPort, updating your display/graphics drivers may assist you in resolving the issue.
Step 1: Open the Device Manager, right-click the Start Menu icon, or hit Windows + X.
Step 2: On the next screen, click on the Display Adapter.
Step 3: As you spot your graphics card listed down, right-click on it and choose Update driver from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select ‘Search automatically for drivers.’
Step 5: Update the drivers and restart the system. It should resolve the issues regarding the graphics driver.
Automatically Update Device Drivers-
There’s an easy way to update drivers and fix the DisplayPort No Signal error on your Windows 10.
You can easily update different device drivers using a third-party application – Advanced Driver Updater.
Follow these steps to update the device drivers on your computer.
- Download Advanced Driver Updater.
- Run the Advanced Driver Updater after installing it and click on the Start Scan button, then wait for it to scan the system. It will automatically check your PC for outdated and incompatible drivers and generate a list for preview.
- Locate and click on the DisplayPort driver download update on the next screen.
- On the next screen, click on update and restart the system. This will update the DisplayPort driver on Windows 10 quickly.
- You can select Update All; Advanced Driver Updater will download and update all outdated drivers in the list.
Note : When you click Update All, you'll be prompted to upgrade to the Pro version. We suggest you get the premium version to help you update all drivers at once and save time.
Also Read: How To Update Wi-Fi Driver on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7
Fix 8. Roll Back Graphics Driver
If your DisplayPort no signal suddenly appeared due to driver updates, you can roll back to an earlier version and restart your computer. To roll back the graphics driver, follow the below steps.
- To roll back your graphics driver, open the Device Manager. Expand the Display Adapters.
- Right-click on the Graphics card and click on Properties. Go to the Driver tab and then click on Roll Back Driver.
Once you roll back the driver, restart your system.
Fix 9. Change the Refresh Rate on the Monitor
As explained in the reasons, the refresh rate on the monitor is also responsible for DisplayPort’s no signal issue on Dell and other PCs. Changing it helps fix the issue. Hence, it is worth giving a try.
To change the refresh rate, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows + I to access Windows settings.
2. Click System > Display.
3. Click the Advanced display settings option.
4. Click Display Adapter Properties option
5. Click the Monitor tab and then click the down arrow to select the refresh rate.
6. Click Apply > OK.
Fix 10. Use an alternate cable or device
Besides software issues, hardware issues can also lead to a “no dp signal from your device” issue. If all the above fixes fail to work, we suggest using an alternate cable and device. If the DisplayPort connection error goes away then there is an issue with the cable, change it to fix the issue.
Fix 11. Contact Dell Customer Service
If none of this helps, you Fix the DisplayPort No Signal error; the problem might be hardware-related. Contact the Dell Tech Service for assistance or visit a repair shop near you to check the monitor for hardware damage.
FAQs –
Q1. How do I enable the DP port on my computer?
Connect the devices using your DisplayPort cable to enable the DP port on your computer. If you have never used one before, there are some chances connecting a device might initiate the process on its own.
However, if connecting the device does not trigger anything, you might have to manually choose the display source or enable the projection mode on your PC.
Here’s how you do it –
Step 1- Press Windows + P to open projection options on your desktop.
Step 2 – Click on Extend or use Second Screen Only, depending on your preference.
Step 3 – Once you have chosen the display, check if the connected output is getting any display or not.
If the screen is visible on your connected device, congratulations, you have enabled the DP port on your PC.
Q2. Can RAM cause no display?
Yes, RAM can cause no display. However, there is a dedicated scenario to it. When you use a PC that does not have a dedicated GPU and is using the internal video card, the heavy graphics load falls on the RAM.
This means the internal video card uses RAM to delegate visually heavy applications. If the RAM is not up to the mark or fully optimized, you may also experience display errors!
If you are trying to use the extended display with a DP port but getting no display or stuttering visuals, there are chances that your RAM is causing the issue.
Q3. Does DisplayPort also support audio?
Yes, DisplayPort supports multi-channel audio and also has various advanced audio features.
Q4. Does DisplayPort include content protection capability?
Yes, DisplayPort supports HDCP content protection.
Q5. What are the user benefits of DisplayPort?
- Support higher resolution.
- Higher refresh rate than VGA, DVI, or HDMI.
- Transmits video and audio signals with less compression.
- Maximum image quality and fidelity.
Q6. How is DisplayPort different from HDMI? Aren’t they very similar?
No HDMI and DisplayPort are different. DisplayPort allows the connection of multiple screens, while HDMI can only connect to one screen. DisplayPort splits bandwidth between the displays.
Fixed – No DisplayPort cable
‘No DP Signal from Your Device’ is a common computer problem. A variety of circumstances can cause it. Implementing all of these solutions will allow you to address the problem quickly.
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Thank you. This page was very helpful in resolving the issue.
What about on Macs? I’ve been getting this when I was using HDMI and also now with a DP cable. Have tried unplugging, detecting display, turning off and on after a time, etc and etc… It happens occasionally when I shut the computer down and comes back randomly…. its really terrible because my work depends on another screen….
Dear Marco,
To resolve the issues we suggest you update to the latest macOS. Software can affect display detection, the quality of the image, and the resolutions and refresh rates. Hence, install the latest macOS updates, which also deliver firmware updates for displays made by Apple.
If your display is not made by Apple, make sure that it’s using the latest firmware from the manufacturer. Check your display’s documentation or the manufacturer’s website for details.
Also, set the resolution for your primary display
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar.
Select a resolution.
If you see a thumbnail view of the available resolutions, move the pointer over the thumbnails to see the resolution sizes, then click the one you want.
To see the available resolutions as a list, Control-click the thumbnail view and choose Show List. Then click the resolution you want.
To switch back to the thumbnail view, Control-click the list view and choose Show Thumbnails.
To always see available resolutions as a list, click Advanced, then turn on “Show resolutions as list”.
Set the resolution for a connected display
For multiple displays follow these steps:
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Displays in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Select the display you want to adjust, then select the resolution you want to use.
You may be able to turn on Show all resolutions to see additional resolutions for the display.
This should help. In case it doesn’t contact Apple support https://getsupport.apple.com/
Thanks and Regards