Windows 11/10 comes with native ability to project to another screen [wired or wireless]. All you need to do is press Win+P and it will display options to manage the extended display. However, at times, you might encounter the following error message – Your PC can’t project to another screen. This prevents you from projecting your PC to the other screen. The full error message goes as:
Your PC can’t project to another screen, Try reinstalling the driver or using a different video card.
The problem could be with loosely connected hardware, the display adapter driver, or a recent Windows Update which messed up the settings.
Try the following solutions sequentially to resolve the problem:
- Check the hardware cable connections
- Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
- Update the display adapter drivers
- Reinstall Display hardware
- Replace Graphics Card.
1] Check the hardware cable connections
Before proceeding, check the hardware connection. The cables should be connected tightly and in the correct ports. Make sure no pin is missing from the ports. You might also consider changing the wires if they look damaged.
2] Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter checks for changes and problems with the hardware connections and associated drivers. It corrects the issues of possible.
Windows 10
- Click on Start and go to Settings > Updates and Security > Troubleshoot
- Select the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter from the list and run it
- Restart the system once it is complete.
Windows 11
- Click on Start and go to System > Troubleshoot
- Under Other troubleshooters, select the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter from the list and run it
- Restart the system once it is complete.
Alternatively, you can open the command prompt, then type or copy and paste the command below and hit Enter to launch the Hardware Troubleshooter:
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Run it and see if it helps.
Read: Projecting to this PC option is greyed out in Windows
3] Update the display adapter drivers
If the problem is with the display adapter drivers, updating them could help in resolving the issue. To update the Graphics Driver:
- Open Run prompt [Win + R] and type devmgmt.msc.
- Press Enter to open the Device Manager window.
- Expand the list of Display adapters and right-click on the graphics card driver.
- Select Update driver.
Restart the system once done.
You could also consider downloading the display drivers from the manufacturer’s website and installing them. There are multiple ways to update Drivers in Windows 11/10.
4] Reinstall Display Hardware
Under Device Manager, you can choose to Uninstall the device completely. Once done, restart the computer. Windows will automatically detect the device, and install the driver again using Windows update.
5] Replace Graphics Card
The last resort is where nothing works, and the only way out is to change your graphics card. However, make sure to consult with an expert before going ahead.
We hope one of these fixes helps you resolve the Your PC can’t project to another screen error. Let us know which one worked for you.
Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP [2006-16] & a Windows Insider MVP [2016-2022]. Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful about any 3rd-party offers while installing freeware.
Are you trying to project to another screen on Windows but keep running into an error? Here are some quick and easy ways to fix it.
Whether you want to give a presentation in a boardroom, extend your gaming experience to a larger monitor, or simply stream Netflix from your laptop, Windows makes it relatively simple to project your screen to another display. But what if you get the “Your PC can’t project to another screen” error on Windows?
If you've encountered a similar error, here are some troubleshooting tips that will help fix it.
1. Rule Out Any Connection Issues
Before moving on to any advanced fixes, it’s a good idea to double-check the physical connection between your computer and the external display. Start by disconnecting the HDMI or DisplayPort cable and reconnecting it. Also, ensure that both the port and cable connector are clear of any dust particles.
If it’s just a minor connectivity issue, this should do the trick and fix the “Your PC can’t project to another screen” error on Windows.
2. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is a useful tool that can scan your computer for any hardware-related issues and attempt to fix them. While this troubleshooter does not guarantee to fix this particular error, it’s a tool worth running nonetheless.
Since the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is not available in the Settings app, you will need to use the Run command to access it. Here are the steps for the same.
- Right-click on the Start icon or press Win + X to open the Power User menu.
- Select Run from the list.
- Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic in the text field and press Enter.
- In the Hardware and Devices window, click Advanced and tick the Apply repairs automatically checkbox.
- Click Next to run the troubleshooter.
Allow the troubleshooter to find and fix any issues, and check if you can project to another screen after that.
3. Update or Reinstall the Display Drivers
If the troubleshooter fails to find any issues, it’s likely that the display drivers on your PC are outdated. In that case, you can try updating the driver and see if that helps.
If you need help with that, check our guide on how to find and replace outdated drivers on Windows and follow the steps outlined there.
If you get the “Your PC can’t project to another screen” error even after updating the display drivers, the drivers may be damaged or corrupted. You can try to fix corrupted drivers by reinstalling them on your PC.
4. Try Generic Fixes
In most cases, one of the above tips should help resolve the issue. If not, you can try some generic Windows fixes to get rid of the error.
- Run the SFC Scan: Corrupt or damaged system files can give rise to such errors. Running an SFC scan on Windows can help you find and repair such files on your PC.
- Perform a Clean Boot: Another thing you can do is try to project your screen after performing a clean boot. This should help you verify if a third-party program or service is interfering with Windows and triggering the “Your PC can’t project to another screen” error.
- Create a New User Account: It’s possible that some of the files associated with your user account have become corrupted. In that case, creating and switching to a new user account should solve your problem.
Start Projecting Your Computer Screen Again
Projecting your computer screen onto another display is a great way to improve your productivity and enhance your entertainment experience.
While errors like “Your PC can’t project to another screen” on Windows can sometimes get in your way, you can fix them easily using the solutions mentioned above.