How to Connect Your PC to a Monitor: Cable Types and Setup Steps

The cables and ports that connect your PC to a monitor

Your PC connects to a monitor through a video cable that carries the image signal from your computer's graphics card to the monitor's display. The cable plugs into a port on the back of your PC tower and a matching port on the back or side of the monitor. The type of cable and port you use depends on what your PC and monitor have available — most modern setups use HDMI or DisplayPort, but older systems may use VGA or DVI.

Before you buy a cable, check what ports are on the back of your PC tower and what ports are on your monitor. Look for the labels next to each port or consult your monitor's manual if the labels are worn. If your PC and monitor don't share a matching port type, you'll need an adapter cable that converts one type to another.

Key Takeaways

HDMI and DisplayPort are the standard cables for modern monitors and PCs, and they carry both video and audio through a single cable.
Older systems may use VGA (three rows of small holes) or DVI (flat rectangular port with pins), which require different cables and do not carry audio.
Match the cable type to the ports on both your PC and monitor — if they don't match, you need an adapter, not a different cable.
Plug the cable firmly into both the PC port and the monitor port until you hear or feel a click, then power on the monitor and PC in that order.
If the monitor stays black after connection, check that the cable is fully seated, the monitor is set to the correct input, and your PC recognizes the display.

HDMI: the most common cable for modern setups

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the standard cable for most PCs and monitors sold in the last ten years. The HDMI port is a flat, rectangular connector about the size of a USB port. One end plugs into your PC's graphics card or motherboard, and the other end plugs into your monitor. HDMI carries both video and audio, so you don't need a separate audio cable.

HDMI comes in three physical sizes: Standard (full-size, most common), Mini, and Micro. Most desktop PCs use Standard HDMI. Check your PC's ports to see which size you have. If your monitor has a different HDMI size than your PC, buy an adapter cable that converts between them rather than replacing the whole cable.

HDMI cables are inexpensive and widely available at electronics stores, online retailers, and even grocery stores. A basic HDMI cable costs between $5 and $15. You do not need an expensive "premium" HDMI cable — a standard one works the same way.

DisplayPort: for high-refresh and multi-monitor setups

DisplayPort is a newer standard that is becoming common on gaming PCs and high-end monitors. The DisplayPort connector is smaller and thinner than HDMI, with a distinctive shape that looks like a rectangle with one corner cut off. Like HDMI, DisplayPort carries both video and audio through a single cable.

DisplayPort supports higher refresh rates and resolutions than HDMI, which makes it the better choice if you plan to use a 144 Hz monitor or higher, or if you want to connect multiple monitors to a single port using daisy-chaining. If your PC and monitor both have DisplayPort, use it instead of HDMI for the best performance.

Some monitors and PCs have USB-C ports that support video output through a protocol called Thunderbolt or USB-C Alt Mode. These ports can carry video, audio, and power through a single cable, which is useful if your monitor has built-in USB ports or charging. Check your monitor's manual to confirm it supports video input over USB-C before you buy a cable.

VGA and DVI: older cables that still work

If your PC or monitor is more than ten years old, it may have a VGA port instead of HDMI or DisplayPort. VGA is a blue, D-shaped connector with three rows of small holes. VGA carries only video, not audio, so you will need a separate 3.5 mm audio cable if you want sound from your monitor's speakers.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a flat rectangular port with a row of pins, often found on graphics cards and monitors from the 2000s and early 2010s. DVI also carries only video. If your PC has DVI and your monitor has HDMI, or vice versa, you can buy a DVI-to-HDMI adapter cable for $10 to $20.

VGA and DVI cables are harder to find in stores now, but they are still available online. If you have an older monitor with VGA or DVI, it will work with a modern PC as long as your PC has a matching port or you use an adapter. Many graphics cards still include a DVI port for this reason.

Step-by-step connection and setup

Start by powering off both your PC and monitor. Locate the video port on the back of your PC tower — it will be on your graphics card if you have one, or on the motherboard if you don't. Locate the matching video port on the back or side of your monitor.

Plug one end of the cable into the PC port and push it in firmly until you hear a click or feel resistance. Plug the other end into the monitor port and find it the same way. If the cable has screws on the connectors, tighten them by hand — do not use a tool.

Turn on the monitor first, then turn on the PC. Wait for the PC to boot up. The monitor should display the PC's startup screen within a few seconds. If the monitor stays black, check that the cable is fully seated in both ports, that the monitor is set to the correct input (see the next section), and that your PC recognizes the display in its settings.

What to do if the monitor shows no picture

If you connect the cable correctly but the monitor stays black, the first step is to check the monitor's input selection. Most monitors have a button on the front or back labeled "Input," "Source," or "Menu." Press it and look for a list of inputs: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, DisplayPort, VGA, or DVI. Select the input that matches the cable you plugged in. The monitor will switch to that input and should show your PC's screen.

If the input is already set correctly and the screen is still black, disconnect the cable from both ends and reconnect it, making sure it clicks into place. Check that the cable itself is not damaged — look for bent pins, frayed wires, or cracks in the connector.

If the cable is fine and the input is correct, the issue may be with your PC's graphics card or motherboard. Restart your PC and watch for any error messages during startup. If your PC has multiple video ports, try plugging the cable into a different port. Some PCs have ports on both the graphics card and the motherboard, and the motherboard port may be disabled by default if a graphics card is installed.

Using multiple monitors or adapters

If you want to connect two or more monitors to your PC, you will need a separate cable for each monitor, and your PC's graphics card must have enough ports. Most modern graphics cards have at least two video ports. If your graphics card has only one port, you can buy a USB-to-HDMI adapter or USB-C docking station that adds extra video ports, though performance may be lower than a native port.

If your PC has HDMI but your monitor has only DisplayPort, or vice versa, you need an adapter cable that converts between them. These adapters are passive (no power required) for most combinations, but some conversions require an active adapter with a small chip inside. Check the product description to see whether the adapter is passive or active before you buy.

Adapters work in both directions — a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter works the same way as an HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter. The direction of the cable does not matter as long as the connector shapes match the ports on your PC and monitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any HDMI cable, or do I need a specific type?

Any standard HDMI cable works with any HDMI port. You do not need to buy a cable labeled "4K" or "high-speed" unless you are using a 4K monitor or a refresh rate above 60 Hz. For most setups, a basic HDMI cable from any brand works the same as an expensive one.

What if my PC has no video ports on the back?

Your PC may have a graphics card inside that has its own ports on the back of the tower, separate from the motherboard ports. Look for a row of ports sticking out from the tower's back panel below the main motherboard ports. If you see them, plug your cable into those ports instead. If your PC has no video ports at all, it may not have a graphics card and may need one installed.

Does the monitor cable carry power to the monitor?

No. Video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI) carry only the image signal. Your monitor needs its own power cable plugged into an electrical outlet or power strip. USB-C cables can carry power in some cases, but only if your monitor specifically supports it — check your monitor's manual.

Why does my monitor say "no signal" even though the cable is plugged in?

The monitor is set to the wrong input. Press the Input or Source button on your monitor and select the input that matches your cable type (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, DisplayPort, etc.). If you are not sure which input you used, try each one until the picture appears.

Can I connect my PC to a TV instead of a monitor?

Yes. TVs have HDMI ports and work the same way as monitors. Plug your PC's HDMI cable into any HDMI port on the TV, then select that HDMI input on the TV's remote. The TV will display your PC's screen. Note that TVs are larger and sit farther away, so text and small icons may be harder to read than on a monitor.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.