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To connect a VGA monitor, first check the computer’s video output and the monitor’s input. If both have VGA ports, connect them with a VGA cable. If their ports differ, use a converter made for the signal direction you need: for example, HDMI output to VGA input requires an HDMI-to-VGA converter. Then select the monitor’s VGA input and set a resolution and refresh rate supported by the display and any converter.
Check the ports before connecting anything
Look at the computer’s video outputs and the monitor’s inputs, using their labels or manuals if needed. VGA is typically a 15-pin connector. Check which output is actually available on the computer: a desktop may have video ports on both the motherboard and a separate graphics card, and the active output may be on the graphics card.
Choose the connection based on the source and display ports:
| Computer output | Monitor input | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| VGA | VGA | A VGA cable |
| HDMI | VGA | An HDMI-to-VGA converter and a VGA cable |
| VGA | HDMI | A VGA-to-HDMI converter; a separate audio connection may be needed |
| DisplayPort or another digital output | VGA | A converter explicitly designed for that source-to-VGA direction |
For a direct VGA-to-VGA connection, Intel recommends using a direct connection when available. Its guidance also cautions that adapters can cause display-detection problems or fail because of bandwidth, compatibility, or hardware limitations: Intel’s display-adapter guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable Benfei HDMI to VGA adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with HDMI port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with VGA port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag or pocket to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV; A VGA cable is required.
- SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip converts HDMI digital signal to VGA analog signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from VGA to HDMI
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - The HDMI male to VGA female converter supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improve the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The HDMI-VGA adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop, ultrabook, notebook, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, Intel Nuc, Roku, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Set Top Box, TV BOX, or other devices with HDMI port; NOT compatible with Blu-ray player and devices with low-power HDMI ports such as SONY PS4, Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac mini, and Apple TV
- 18 MONTH WARRANTY - Exclusive Benfei Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely
Connect a computer and monitor with matching VGA ports
- Connect monitor power. Plug in the monitor’s power cable and switch it on.
- Connect the VGA cable. Attach one end to the computer’s VGA output and the other to the monitor’s VGA input. Align the connector and secure it without forcing it or putting strain on the cable. Do not use a cable with bent or damaged pins.
- Start the computer. If the monitor does not show the computer’s picture automatically, use the monitor’s input menu to select VGA, RGB, or PC, depending on its labels. LG’s support instructions advise changing the connection terminal when the screen remains blank: LG monitor no-signal troubleshooting.
- Choose a supported display mode. Set the resolution and refresh rate to a mode listed in the monitor manual. If the computer offers a choice of displays, select the VGA monitor and apply the supported mode.
Choose an adapter for the right signal direction
VGA carries analog video, while HDMI carries digital video. When the computer sends HDMI and the monitor accepts VGA, the adapter must convert HDMI to VGA. For the reverse arrangement—VGA output from the computer and HDMI input on the display—you need a VGA-to-HDMI converter. A simple passive cable cannot do the required digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital conversion. Philips explains the incompatibility in its VGA and HDMI support answer.
Check the converter’s labels and manual before buying or connecting it. Adapters may be directional, and the direction name describes the signal path from the computer’s output to the display’s input. Confirm its supported resolution and refresh rate, any power requirement, and whether the setup needs a separate audio connection. VGA carries video, not audio; HDMI may carry both. For a DisplayPort or other digital output, use a converter specifically rated for that output-to-VGA direction and verify compatibility with the computer.
Rank #2
- COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable Benfei HDMI to VGA adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with HDMI port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with VGA port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV;
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - The HDMI male to VGA Male cable supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improve the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
- 18 MONTH WARRANTY - Exclusive Benfei Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely
Set a resolution and refresh rate both devices support
There is no single resolution or refresh-rate limit that applies to every VGA monitor and converter. Check the monitor manual, the computer’s graphics-output documentation, and—if used—the adapter’s specifications. Choose a mode supported by all components in the chain.
Specifications are model-specific: Cable Matters lists up to 1920×1080 at 60 Hz for its model 113046 adapter, while ViewSonic’s IFP70 guide lists supported VGA modes for that display. Neither example establishes what another monitor or converter can handle. See the Cable Matters model 113046 documentation and the ViewSonic IFP70 guide.
Rank #3
- COMPACT DESIGN - The BENFEI compact-designed portable VGA to HDMI adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with VGA port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with HDMI port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag or pocket to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV; A HDMI cable is required.
- SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip converts VGA analog signal to HDMI digital signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from HDMI source to VGA monitor.
- USB AUDIO SUPPORT - with an integrated USB cable that embeds the audio along with the video over HDMI; Digital USB audio can be configured from the Sound menu in Windows to output the audio to the connected display
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The VGA-HDMI adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop or other device with VGA output, the monitor with HDMI input, it's plug in and play.
- 18 MONTH WARRANTY - Exclusive BENFEI Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely
Troubleshoot a blank screen or “No signal” message
Work through these checks in order, changing one thing at a time:
- Confirm power. Make sure the monitor is switched on and its power cable is connected. Confirm the computer is on.
- Check the selected input. Open the monitor’s input menu and select the connected port, such as VGA, RGB, or PC. Menus and labels vary by model.
- Reseat the connections. Disconnect and firmly reconnect the VGA cable at both ends. Make sure the connectors are aligned and secured without forcing them.
- Use the computer’s active video output. If the computer has more than one possible video output, try the output used by its graphics hardware. On a desktop with a separate graphics card, check its outputs as well as the motherboard ports.
- Inspect the cable and ports. Look for bent pins, debris, or signs of damage. If the image changes when the cable moves, the cable or connector may be loose or damaged.
- Check the adapter and display mode. Verify that the adapter converts in the correct direction and supports the resolution and refresh rate selected on the computer. If possible, try a known-working cable or compatible converter.
If the screen stays blank after these checks, consult the manuals for the exact computer, monitor, and adapter. The right mode and adapter compatibility depend on the specific models; a connector that fits does not by itself guarantee that the signal will work.
Rank #4
- COMPACT DESIGN: The compact-designed portable Moread HDMI to VGA adapter connects a computer, desktop, laptop, or other devices with HDMI port to a monitor, projector, HDTV, or other devices with VGA port; Tuck this lightweight gadget into your bag or pocket to do a business presentation with your laptop and projector, or extend your desktop screen to a monitor or TV; A VGA cable is required (sold separately)
- SUPERIOR STABILITY: Built-in advanced IC chip converts HDMI digital signal to VGA analog signal; It is NOT a bi-directional converter and cannot transmit signals from VGA to HDMI
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE: The HDMI male to VGA female converter supports resolutions up to 1920x1080@60Hz (1080p Full HD) including 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024 for high definition monitors or projectors; Gold plated HDMI connector resists corrosion and abrasion and improves the signal transmission performance; Molded strain relief increases cable durability
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY: The HDMI-VGA adapter is compatible with computer, pc, desktop, laptop, ultrabook, notebook, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, Intel Nuc, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Set Top Box, TV BOX, or other devices with HDMI port; *NOT COMPATIBLE* with Roku, Blu-ray player and devices with low-power HDMI ports such as SONY PS4, Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac mini, and Apple TV
- 5 Year WARRANTY: Exclusive Moread Unconditional 5-year Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely
If an adapter still produces no picture
Reconnect the setup carefully and confirm each connection is secure. Some adapters need external power, but this depends on the model. For example, a Cable Matters manual for a particular adapter recommends powering down the equipment and adding Micro-USB power when its signal is weak, then reconnecting in sequence. Follow that procedure only if the manual for your adapter calls for it; it is not a universal requirement for converters. Consult the adapter’s model documentation.
If the picture is cropped, unsupported, or silent
For a cropped image or an unsupported-mode message, select a resolution and refresh rate listed in the monitor’s manual and supported by the converter. A mode supported by one VGA monitor or adapter may not work with another; check the manuals for the exact devices.
Best Value
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- 【High Definition Display】HDMI to VGA adapter cable supports up to 1920x1080@60Hz resolution, brings you 1080P UHD HD video experience, backward compatible with 720p, 1600x1200, 1280x1024, Note: This cable has no audio transmission. This is a unidirectional cable, only support the signal transmission from HDMI to VGA.
- 【The Perfect Plug-and-play Solution】HDMI to VGA cable built-in advanced IC chip, plug and play, no driver installation, no need to connect to the power supply, no waste of time, can convert digital HDMI signals to analog VGA signals, connect desktop PCs, laptops, or other devices with HDMI source ports to monitors, projectors, HDTVs, and other devices with VGA output ports to transfer high-definition video from computers to monitors. to monitors for video streaming or gaming
- 【Broad Compatibility】HDMI to VGA cord is compatible with computer, PC, desktop, laptop, Ultrabook, notebook, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, set-top boxes, TV boxes, or any other device with an HDMI port, but not compatible with Blu-ray players and devices with low-power HDMI ports, such as Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Mac mini, PS 5/S, and Apple TV.
- 【Clever Design】HDMI to VGA cable fashionable appearance, sturdy structural design, compared to other products of PVC shell, indestructible aluminum alloy shell can better protect the plug, connectors using gold-plated materials, corrosion-resistant, easy to cope with 15,000 + insertion and extraction test, to ensure that the signal is transmitted stably, nylon braided mesh, higher strength, more abrasion-resistant, the system should be eliminated to improve the durability of the cable
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If there is no sound, account for the fact that VGA carries video only. In a VGA-to-HDMI setup, sound may require a separate audio connection or a converter that accepts audio separately. Check the converter’s manual to see whether it supports audio and how to connect it.
Quick Recap
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