Top 7 Fixes For Wi-Fi Stops Working on Windows When an External Monitor Is Connected

Multitasking is vital for work, and a second monitor facilitates computer usage. However, some users may experience Wi-Fi disconnection when connecting an external monitor to a laptop or desktop with Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Bad or loose connection cables can often trigger external monitor interference of your Wi-Fi network. Corrupted or outdated drivers and other network issues may also contribute to this problem. In this guide, we will provide you with the most efficient solutions to resolve these issues.

1. Change the Connection Cable

Bad connection cables may cause Wi-Fi to stop working when an external monitor is connected on Windows. Faulty cables act as antennas, picking up waves and interfering with the Wi-Fi signal. In these cases, getting a new cable will fix the problem.

When changing cables, consider using a different kind. For example, switch from a VGA cable to an HDMI cable, as HDMI cables are generally better at transmitting signals.

2. Run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter

If your Wi-Fi disconnects when an external screen is connected, network issues could be the cause. Windows includes a troubleshooter that can scan for and resolve network problems or provide suggestions for fixing them. Follow these steps to use the troubleshooter:

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Select System from the left sidebar and choose Troubleshoot from the right pane.

Step 3: Select Other troubleshooters.

Step 4: Click Run for the ‘Network and Internet’ troubleshooter.

Step 5: Follow recommendations to complete the process.

The network adapter, also known as the Network Interface Card (NIC), allows your computer to connect to a network. On a Windows computer, you have both a wired and wireless adapter. If the wireless adapter is faulty, it can be prone to interference, causing your PC or laptop to lose internet connection when connected to a monitor. Running the network adapter troubleshooter will scan for issues and may fix the problem.

Step 1: Click the Windows Search icon on the Taskbar, type ‘adapter,’ then click ‘Find and fix problems with your network adapter.’

Step 2: Click Advanced option.

Step 3: Tick ‘Apply repairs automatically’ and click Next.

Step 4: Select ‘All network adapters’ from the troubleshooting list and click Next.

Step 5: Allow the troubleshooter to run and apply any recommended fixes.

4. Update Network Adapter and Display Adapter Drivers

Drivers are an important link between hardware and software. Outdated drivers may cause compatibility issues between your computer and the network adapter, disrupting the Wi-Fi connection when connecting a second monitor. To resolve this, update your network adapters and display drivers using the following steps to get the latest bug fixes.

Step 1: Right-click the Start menu on the Taskbar and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand the Network adapters category, right-click on your Wi-Fi driver, and select Update driver.

Step 3: Click ‘Search for drivers’.

Step 4: Follow the prompts and complete the process. Repeat the update steps for the Display adapter.

5. Reinstall Your Network Drivers

If your network drivers are bad, you may have compatibility issues or driver conflicts that can cause problems with your Wi-Fi network, making it unstable. This instability can worsen when external or peripheral devices are connected to your computer. Reinstalling the drivers will fix issues caused by corrupted or incompatible drivers and resolve conflicts.

Step 1: Right-click the Start menu on the Taskbar and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand the Network adapters category, right-click on your Wi-Fi driver, select Uninstall device, and confirm your selection.

Restart your computer and relaunch the Device Manager. Click the ‘Scan for hardware devices’ icon and see if your Wi-Fi still stops working when an external monitor is connected on Windows.

6. Update the Settings for Network Adapter Power Management

Your network adapter may go into power-saving mode, causing Wi-Fi disconnection when an external monitor is connected. The best solution is to prevent your computer from turning off the adapter to save power.

Step 1: Right-click the Start menu on the Taskbar, select Device Manager from the Power User menu.

Step 2: Expand the Network adapters category, right-click your Wi-Fi driver, and select Properties.

Step 3: Click the Power Management tab, uncheck ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power,’ and click OK.

7. Reset the Network

If the Wi-Fi connection problem is caused by bad network settings, a reset will fix it by returning all settings to default. However, you’ll have to re-enter network details and adjust relevant settings again.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click Network & internet from the sidebar and choose ‘Advanced network settings.’

Scroll down and click Network reset in the right pane.

Step 4: Click Reset now.

After resetting network settings, restart your computer and re-enter network details.

Back to Multitasking With Dual Monitors

External monitor interference with Wi-Fi is an odd behavior and a sign of an underlying problem. In most cases, the issue is linked to network or display drivers, and there are easy solutions to resolve it. Regularly updating your drivers can help avoid this problem. Please let us know which solutions fixed your Wi-Fi problem effectively.