LG Monitor No Signal (Try THIS Fix First!)

LG has a great lineup of home office monitors, but they do come with a few challenges. One such challenge reported by many users working from home is encountering the ‘no signal’ error.

To fix the LG monitor no signal problem, turn off and unplug the monitor and your computer. After 30 seconds, power on the monitor first, followed by your computer. If the issue persists, ensure the correct input and display resolution settings are selected and all cables are secure and undamaged.

There are 7 common troubleshooting steps you should try.

Some of these fixes involve troubleshooting the display directly, while others involve troubleshooting your PC.

I strongly recommend you follow these steps in order. We will start with the most common fixes and then work our way towards less common, more involved troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting The Display

Step 1: Unplug And Reboot The Monitor And PC

Before trying anything else, turn OFF and unplug your monitor and your computer. After 30 seconds plug everything back in and turn ON the monitor FIRST, followed by the computer SECOND.

I know, I know. You didn’t come here to be asked “Did you try turning it off and turning it back on again?”

Humor me. The sequence is IMPORTANT – so again, turn on the monitor FIRST, then computer SECOND.

Countless users have indicated that after trying everything else, this simple solution worked for them.

So you’ve tried unplugging and rebooting the devices and still, your having issues?

No need to worry just yet – advance to step 2.

Step 2: Adjust The Monitor Input Setting

It is important to make sure your monitor is set to the correct Input.

To do this, you need to first know what kind of input cable you are using.

LG monitors most commonly support 4 different kinds of cables: HDMI, DisplayPort (DP), DVI and VGA. Identify which cord you have using the image below.

HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA and DVI display cables

Once you have identified the cable you are currently using, locate the Source or Input button on your monitor.

The Source/ Input button will either be located in the middle or right-hand side of your monitor. It will either be on the backside of the display or towards the bottom.

For some models, you will first need to use the Menu button and then navigate to Input.

LG monitor input selection

Once you press the Input and/or Menu button, options will appear on your monitor. Toggle the input options until you identify the input that matches your input cable.

Step 3: Inspect The Display Cables

Now that we are sure your monitor is set to the correct Input, let’s check your display cable connections.

If you have removed the monitor stand to mount your display, or recently disconnected and reconnected your monitor for any reason, pay close attention to this step.

First and foremost, make sure that the connection is firm on both ends.

A loose cable can cause a whole host of issues, from screen flickering, no signal errors, and more.

An error can be caused even if the connection is slightly broken.

That tiny space you see in the image below between the HDMI and the HDMI port in my laptop?

You guessed it – that was enough to trigger the error.

Display cable laptop connection

Next, make sure there are no issues or obstructions with the cable itself. Check for any signs of visible damage.

Finally, try using a different input cable than you are currently using.

For example, if you are specifically encountering an HDMI related signal error, try swapping out the HDMI for a DP, DVI or VGA cable and vice versa.

When you try a new cable, be sure to follow the process in step 1 again and adjust the display Input accordingly.

If using a different display cable solves the issue, a faulty display cable was likely the culprit.

Step 4: Adjust The Monitor Resolution Settings

Your monitor has a range of possible display resolutions that it can relay back to your PC.

It is possible that your computer’s graphic card is currently set on a display resolution that is higher than what your monitor can handle.

This can sometimes even lead to an “out of range” error, or even to your monitor not turning on all together. To fix this, reboot your computer using Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode your computer will automatically use a lower display resolution than normal use.

This will allow you the opportunity to go into your computer’s resolution settings and select a lower standard display resolution.

Not sure what resolution your monitor can support? You have two options:

  1. Find your LG model number on the back of your monitor and look it up in the LG monitor user manual.
    LG monitor
  2. Play around using some trial-and-error. Incrementally increase your resolution. Wait approximately 30 seconds between each update and see whether the no signal message pops up.

Troubleshooting Your PC

We are now at the end of the most common fixes if your monitor is the source of the problem.

To confirm that your monitor is the issue, try using your monitor with another device.

This can be another laptop, desktop computer, game console, etc. If your monitor display works, then you know your monitor is working properly and your computer/ hardware is the culprit.

First, a few disclaimers. Steps 6 and 7 below require you to open and manipulate your laptop or desktop computer.

If your hardware is company property, it is best to leave these steps to your company’s IT support.

If your computer/ hardware is personally owned, you may still wish to bring it in to a local computer repair shop.

However, if you do plan to proceed make sure you have done proper research. At a minimum you should know how to properly ground yourself to avoid destroying your computer with electrostatic charge.

Step 5: Ensure The Display Cable Is Plugged Into Graphic Card And Not The Motherboard

Nearly all desktop PC’s have an on-board graphics unit with corresponding connections on the back of your computer. 

If this applies to you, be sure that your monitor cable is connected directly into the graphic card and NOT the motherboard. 

Often times with a desktop PC it can be as simple as that.

Step 6: Remove, Reorder, and Reseat The RAM Sticks

It is possible your LG monitor says no signal because your RAM (Random Access Memory) sticks are not making a proper connection.

To fix this, first make sure your computer is powered OFF and the power cord is removed from the outlet.

Next, properly ground yourself, open your PC unit and fully remove each of your RAM sticks.

Lastly, reorder the sicks and reinsert them back into their respective RAM seats.

RAM sticks

Step 7: Reset CMOS/BIOS

CMOS stands for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

The CMOS battery in your laptop or computer powers the BIOS firmware. BIOS stands for “Basic Input/Output System” and it manages the essential functions of your computer.

Resetting your BIOS sets it back to its previous configurations and can often fix a lot of different issues. 

Once again make sure your computer is powered OFF, the power cord is removed, and you are properly grounded.

Next, remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard. Then, hold down the power button to drain all excess remaining power.

After about a minute, reinsert the CMOS battery back into your PC.

Finally, Reboot your computer and check to see if your display is working.

CMOS/BIOS battery

Conclusion

To fix the LG monitor no signal problem, follow these 7 steps and be back up and running in no time:

  1. Unplug and reboot monitor and PC
  2. Adjust monitor to the correct input
  3. Inspect display cables
  4. Check monitor resolution settings
  5. Make sure input cable is plugged into graphic card
  6. Remove, reorder, and reinsert RAM sticks
  7. Reset CMOS/BIOS

If you’ve tried all of these fixes, and you’re still having issues, you can also contact LG Customer Service at 833-378-0003.

You can also use your LG Monitor model number to check the status of your LG warranty.

Were you able to fix the error? If so, let me know how in the comments section below!

2 thoughts on “LG Monitor No Signal (Try THIS Fix First!)”

  1. Here is #8 … after trying all of these and more, our IT guy changed the DisplayPort version from 1.4 to 1.2 and, voila, it worked!

    My computer is a Dell Precision 3450 with Windows 10.

    The HDMI and USB-C ports on the monitor only gives 1920×1440 resolution, whereas DP gives 3840×1600 resolution.

    Reply

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