One Monitor Waking Up Slower Than Second Monitor

Using two monitors can make work, gaming, and multitasking much easier. However, it can be frustrating when one monitor wakes up more slowly than the second monitor after your computer wakes from sleep.

You may notice that one display turns on instantly while the other stays black for several seconds before showing your desktop. In some cases, Windows may even rearrange your desktop icons while waiting for the slower monitor to reconnect.

This issue is usually caused by settings, display connections, graphics drivers, or the monitor itself rather than a serious hardware problem.

In this guide, you will learn why this happens and how to fix it using simple steps.

Table of Contents

Why Is One Monitor Waking Up Slower Than the Second Monitor?

When your PC wakes from Sleep, Hibernate, or after turning the monitors back on, Windows has to detect each connected display. Different monitors have different hardware, firmware, refresh rates, and connection types. Some displays complete the handshake with the graphics card almost instantly, while others take a few extra seconds.

The delay can also occur because of outdated graphics drivers, power-saving features, DisplayPort behavior, Windows display settings, or older monitor firmware.

Working through the solutions below usually resolves the problem.

Step 1: Check the Monitor Connection

The first thing you should do is inspect the cable connecting the slower monitor to your computer. A loose or aging cable can delay communication between the monitor and your graphics card.

Turn off your computer and both monitors. Disconnect the display cable from both ends and reconnect it securely. Make sure the cable is fully inserted into both the monitor and the graphics card.

If you’re using an adapter such as HDMI to DisplayPort or USB-C to HDMI, try connecting the monitor without the adapter if possible. Adapters sometimes introduce detection delays.

If you have another display cable available, replace the existing one with the new cable. Even if the current cable appears undamaged, internal wear can cause inconsistent behavior during wake-up.

After reconnecting everything, wake your computer from sleep several times to see if the issue has improved.

Step 2: Identify Whether the Problem Is the Monitor or the Computer

Before changing software settings, determine whether the delay follows the monitor or the display connection.

Swap the cables between your two monitors. If the monitor that was previously fast now becomes slow, the issue may be related to the cable or graphics output.

If the same physical monitor continues waking up slowly even after switching cables and ports, the monitor itself is likely taking longer to initialize.

This simple test helps narrow down the source of the problem and prevents unnecessary troubleshooting later.

Step 3: Update Your Graphics Driver

An outdated or corrupted graphics driver is one of the most common causes of monitor wake-up issues.

Press Windows + X and open Device Manager. Expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and choose Update driver.

If Windows does not find a newer version, visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest driver for your model.

After installing the updated driver, restart your computer completely before testing the monitors again.

Updated drivers often improve display detection, monitor compatibility, and wake-from-sleep performance.

Step 4: Install the Latest Monitor Driver

Many people don’t realize that monitors can also use specific drivers.

Open Device Manager and expand Monitors. Right-click your slower monitor and select Update driver.

If the monitor manufacturer provides an official driver or INF file, install it instead of relying on the generic Windows monitor driver.

Manufacturer drivers can improve communication between Windows and the display, reducing wake-up delays.

Step 5: Use the Same Connection Type for Both Monitors

Using different connection types can cause one monitor to initialize more slowly.

For example, one monitor may be connected through DisplayPort while the other uses HDMI. Since these technologies communicate differently with the graphics card, their wake-up speeds may not match.

Whenever possible, connect both monitors using the same type of cable. If both displays support DisplayPort, use DisplayPort for both. Likewise, if both support HDMI, try using HDMI for both monitors.

Matching the connection type often creates more consistent behavior.

Step 6: Disable Monitor Power Saving Features

Many monitors include built-in Power Saving, Deep Sleep, or Eco Mode features.

Although these settings reduce electricity usage, they can increase the time required for the monitor to reconnect after sleep.

Use your monitor’s physical buttons to open its settings menu.

Look for options such as Deep Sleep, Power Saving, Energy Saving, or Eco Mode.

Disable these features if available.

Save the changes and test the monitor again.

Many users notice that their monitor begins waking almost immediately after disabling these power-saving functions.

Step 7: Adjust Windows Power Settings

Windows power settings can also affect monitor wake-up behavior.

Open Control Panel and select Power Options.
Choose your active power plan and click Change plan settings.
Select Change advanced power settings.
Expand the PCI Express section and locate Link State Power Management.

Set this option to Off.

Apply the changes and restart your computer.

Disabling this feature prevents Windows from aggressively reducing power to the graphics hardware, which can improve monitor detection speed.

Step 8: Turn Off Fast Startup

Although Fast Startup mainly affects boot times, it can occasionally interfere with hardware initialization.

Open Control Panel, then go to Power Options.
Select Choose what the power buttons do.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
Save the changes and restart your computer.

Test whether both monitors now wake at the same speed.

Step 9: Match Refresh Rate and Resolution

Using different refresh rates or resolutions may slightly increase the time Windows needs to initialize both displays.

Open Settings.
Go to System and then Display.
Select the slower monitor.
Open Advanced display.
Verify that the monitor is running at its recommended resolution and refresh rate.
Repeat the process for the second monitor.

Although the monitors do not have to use identical settings, using supported values helps Windows initialize them more efficiently.

Step 10: Check for Monitor Firmware Updates

Some monitor manufacturers release firmware updates that improve wake-from-sleep behavior and display compatibility.

Visit your monitor manufacturer’s support website.

Search for your monitor model.

If a firmware update is available, carefully follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Firmware updates are not available for every monitor, but when they are, they can permanently fix display wake-up problems.

Step 11: Test Without Sleep Mode

To determine whether sleep mode is the cause, temporarily disable it.

Open Settings, then select System and Power.

Adjust the screen and sleep settings so the computer does not automatically enter sleep mode.

Turn the monitors off manually and then turn them back on.

If both monitors respond normally, the issue is likely related to Windows sleep management rather than the monitors themselves.

This information can help you identify which settings require further adjustment.

Step 12: Test Each Monitor Individually

Finally, disconnect one monitor and test each display by itself.

Use only the slower monitor for several wake-up cycles.

Then repeat the test using only the second monitor.

If the slower monitor still takes several seconds to wake while connected alone, the delay is almost certainly caused by the monitor’s internal hardware or firmware.

If both monitors wake normally when used separately, the issue may involve dual monitor communication or your graphics card configuration.

FAQs

Why does one monitor wake up later than the other?

Different monitors have different internal hardware, firmware, and power management systems. Because of this, one display may take longer to establish communication with the graphics card after waking from sleep.

Is it normal for DisplayPort monitors to wake more slowly?

Yes. DisplayPort monitors sometimes perform a complete connection handshake after sleep, which can take slightly longer than HDMI on certain systems.

Can outdated graphics drivers cause slow monitor wake-up?

Yes. Old or corrupted graphics drivers can delay monitor detection and should always be updated when troubleshooting display issues.

Does replacing the display cable help?

Yes. A damaged or low-quality cable can slow communication between the monitor and the graphics card. Replacing it often resolves intermittent wake-up delays.

Should both monitors use the same refresh rate?

Not necessarily, but using supported and similar settings can improve display synchronization and reduce detection delays.

Can Windows updates fix this problem?

Yes. Microsoft regularly releases updates that improve hardware compatibility, graphics performance, and display management, so keeping Windows updated is recommended.