The most common reason for this is the display cable being plugged into the wrong port—usually into the motherboard instead of the graphics card—especially on computers that have both. Other possible reasons include a damaged cable, the monitor set to the wrong input source, or a problem with the graphics card or power supply.
Basic Troubleshooting
Check if your monitor works when connected to another device, such as a Chromebook.Try connecting your Acer monitor to your PC using a different cable and port.Use a different port type (for example, if you’re having trouble with HDMI, try using the DP port and a DP cable instead).Make sure you have selected the correct input source on your monitor.If you’re using the DP port, check the DP version on your monitor and make sure your system supports it.If your computer has two graphics cards (one discrete and one integrated), try switching to the other graphics card. You may also need to change ports or adjust some settings on your PC to do this.
1. Restart the Monitor and System
Your Acer monitor may not display anything if either the monitor or your computer is stuck in an error state. In many cases, simply restarting both the monitor and your system can resolve this. Let’s first try reseating the cable. If that doesn’t help, we’ll try a more thorough reset of all devices. If that doesn’t fix the issue, let’s refresh your entire system.
2. Update the System’s OS to the Latest Build
If your computer’s operating system is out of date, it may not communicate properly with your Acer monitor. Updating your operating system to the latest version can often solve this kind of issue. If the issue continues, try updating the firmware for your Acer monitor if available.
3. Change the System’s Resolution and Refresh Rate
If your system’s display resolution or refresh rate does not match what your monitor supports, the display might not work and you may see the “No Signal” message. You can fix this by lowering the resolution and refresh rate.
3.1. For Windows
In some cases, your graphics card control panel (like Intel HD Control Panel) can also be used to adjust resolution and refresh rate.
3.2. For macOS
4. Disable HDCP in the Graphics Control Panel
HDCP is a feature used to protect high-definition video and audio from being copied. However, sometimes this feature can interfere with the display on your Acer monitor, causing a “No Signal” message. To fix this, try disabling HDCP in your graphics control panel. For AMD users:
5. Update Your Drivers
If your system’s display drivers are out of date, your computer may not be able to send a signal your monitor can use.
5.1. Using Device Manager (Windows)
5.2. Manually Update the Driver
5.3. Update Using the OEM App
6. Reset SMC and PRAM/NVRAM (Mac Only)
The SMC (System Management Controller) manages power, battery, and other essential functions. The PRAM/NVRAM stores things like display resolution and startup disk info. If either of these becomes corrupted, your Mac may not output a display to your Acer monitor. Resetting them can help.
6.1. Reset SMC
To reset SMC on a MacBook:
6.2. Reset PRAM/NVRAM
7. Change the BIOS Settings or Reset BIOS
If your computer’s graphics settings in the BIOS are incorrect, you may not see any output on your Acer monitor. Adjusting or resetting the BIOS settings can help.
7.1. Change Boot Mode
7.2. Reset BIOS
8. Use System Restore
Your monitor may show “No Signal” if a recent change on your computer (like a new app or setting) created a conflict. If you’re not sure what changed, using System Restore can help get things working again. If none of the above solutions work and your monitor won’t work with any other device, please contact Acer Support for further assistance.
