How to Connect to a Docking Station or External Display

How to Connect to a Docking Station or External Display

Docking stations and external monitors let you extend your laptop's workspace with additional screens, a keyboard, mouse, and wired network connection. Most connection problems come down to cables, display settings, or driver issues.

Connecting to a Docking Station

  1. Plug in the dock first. Make sure the docking station is connected to power and to your monitors, keyboard, and mouse before connecting your laptop.
  2. Connect your laptop. Use the USB-C, Thunderbolt, or USB-A cable provided with the dock. Most modern docks use a single USB-C or Thunderbolt cable.
  3. Do not plug in your laptop's AC power adapter at the same time as the dock. The docking station provides power to your laptop through the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable. Connecting both the dock and the laptop's own charger simultaneously can cause charging conflicts, overheating, or unexpected behaviour. Use one or the other, not both.
  4. Wait for detection. Windows will detect the dock and configure displays automatically. This can take 10 to 30 seconds. Your screens may flicker during setup.
  5. If nothing happens, try a different USB-C port on your laptop (not all ports support video output). Unplug and re-plug the cable. Restart the laptop with the dock connected.

Connecting a Monitor Directly (No Dock)

  1. Identify the cable type. Common options are HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, or VGA. Use the cable that matches both your laptop and monitor.
  2. Connect the cable between the laptop and the monitor. If your laptop only has USB-C ports and the monitor uses HDMI, you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
  3. Select the correct input on the monitor using its physical buttons if the display does not appear automatically.

Adjusting Display Settings

  1. Right-click the desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Scroll to Multiple displays and choose Extend these displays (to use both screens) or Duplicate these displays (to mirror).
  3. Drag the display icons to match the physical arrangement of your monitors.
  4. Click Apply.

If the External Display Is Not Detected

See our article My Second Monitor Is Not Detected for additional troubleshooting steps.

Still having trouble? Submit a ticket and a CMO IT Services technician will assist you.

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