Can You Use A Monitor Without PC? [SOLVED]

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Ali Rashid Khan

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if you disconnected your PC from your monitor? Your monitor will go blank because you took away its only input source. Your monitor will lose the signals that your computer was sending it to display its content.

You may also ponder whether you can use a monitor without a PC. You should know that your monitor is simply a display device used to showcase any data shared by the input device you connect with.^[1]

To answer your question, you can use your monitor without a PC. You must form a connection between your input device and your monitor. The most convenient option for you is an HDMI cable or a VGA cable (A VGA cable is mainly needed if your device is a bit old).^[2]

Most of the input devices and monitors have ports of HDMI cable/VGA cable in them. All you have to do is plug either of these cables into their respective ports. They will help in creating a connection between your devices quickly.

Key Takeaways

• A monitor is a display device that presents data transmitted from the connected input device.
• You can use your Monitor without a PC through HDMI or VGA cable.
• You can also connect your monitor to your Laptop, Gaming console, and TV.

How To Use Your Monitor Without A PC?

You are now fully aware of the purpose of a monitor. Moving on, there are several other devices that you can connect your monitor to. Therefore, all you have to do is follow the steps that are given below.

Connect Your Monitor To Your Laptop

Whoever wishes to connect their monitor to their laptop might do it to expand their display screen size. They might do it to get a better view of whatever that is they wish to see. Well, good for them because this task is relatively easy to perform.

Written below are a few steps that will help you connect your monitor easily to your laptop:

1.  Determine the type of cable ports that are present in your monitor and laptop. As mentioned above, you’ll most likely find HDMI or VGA ports.
2. Connect your HDMI cable/VGA cable to the ports of your monitor and laptop. (Remember that both sides of the cables are of the same face, so you don’t need to worry about finding the right side).
3. The screen should now start mirroring by default.

If the screen doesn’t mirror by default, you can follow a few more steps below:

1.  Click on the ‘Start’ windows button that is situated right at the bottom of your screen.
2. Open the control panel window.
3.  Click on ‘Appearance and personalization > Adjust screen resolution’.
4. Click on the dropdown box that you’ll find beside the ‘Multiple displays’ settings.
5.  Now, you can choose from the display options mentioned in the list and click ‘OK.’ Your laptop will be titled ‘Monitor 1’ whereas your monitor screen will be titled ‘Monitor 2’.

Connect Your Monitor To Your Gaming Console

It takes a lot of time and effort to build a gaming PC. Furthermore, it requires much research to determine the right components and their cost. But, you can find an easy way through this problem if you have a gaming console at home.

Various gaming consoles have HDMI ports, such as PS3, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX One, and even Wii U. These can easily be connected to your monitor with an HDMI cable.^[2] Many people might prefer connecting their gaming consoles to their monitors rather than their TVs.

To easily connect your gaming console to your monitor, all you have to do is:

• Find the HDMI port in both devices, i.e., your monitor and gaming console.
• Plug the HDMI cable into the ports you found.

The gaming console content should start appearing on your monitor display by default, and then you’re good to go! 

Connect Your Monitor To Your TV

Many people might wish to utilize their monitors as TVs. However, turning your monitor into a TV might require a TV tuner box. It will be a bonus if you already use one, but if not, you might have to spend from about $30 to $200.

To connect your monitor to a simple cable TV, you’ll need a tuner box, preferably with an HDMI port, to connect it to your monitor.^[2]

If you wish to use your monitor as a smart TV, you can use an Android box, Chrome Cast, firestick, and IPTV. These are all HDMI-friendly and can be easily connected to your monitor.

Summary 

You have probably understood the primary purpose of a monitor. Now, you are aware that it can be used by multiple input devices to display the data they share with it. So, you can use it as a screen that displays content much bigger than a laptop. It can be used as a gaming console or TV if the input device supports it.

In this way, your monitor can save you a lot of expenses. These expenses may include building a full-fledged gaming PC or buying a TV with specifications like good resolution and smart options.

More Helpful Resources By Tech4Gamers:

• Is A Laptop Considered A PC? [Explained]
• Can A Motherboard Bottleneck A GPU? [Explained]
• Do Motherboards Have Integrated Graphics? [Answered]

• Can Overclocking Damage The GPU? [Answered]

References:

1. National Academic Digital Library of Ethiopia. Interfacing and Communication. Retrieved from http://ndl.ethernet.edu.et/bitstream/123456789/90390/4/chapter%205%20%266.pdf

2. Alt Gov. Can You Use A Monitor Without A PC? We Tested Everything For You. Retrieved from https://altgov2.org/can-you-use-a-monitor-without-a-pc/

Ali Rashid Khan

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com