How to fix
“Your PC can’t project to another screen” error
on Windows

Hello. When I try to connect my Windows PC to another monitor I get the "Your PC can’t project to another screen" error message. How can I fix this?

When attempting to connect their computer to an external display or projector, Windows users frequently run into the "Your PC can't project to another screen" error. When the computer is unable to connect to or communicate with the external screen, the projected display often displays this error message and cannot function as planned.

Users that need to conduct presentations, distribute content, or expand their display onto a larger screen for better visibility can all be greatly impacted by this issue. When consumers desire to view multimedia content on a larger screen in work or school contexts or even for home use, it can be particularly problematic. The mistake prevents projecting displays from functioning as intended, which causes annoyance and trouble.

There are numerous causes for the error message to appear. Old or incompatible display drivers[ref en-1] are one of the main causes. The communication required for projection may not succeed if the graphics drivers are outdated or incompatible with the external monitor. Incorrect input sources on the external screen, display settings issues, or issues with cables and connections can also be a factor in the error.

There are various options to think about if you want to fix the "Your PC can't project to another screen" problem. These include updating graphics drivers to make sure they are compatible with the connected external display, checking and adjusting display settings to match those needs, confirming the connected external display's input source is correct, and making sure all cables and connections are securely fastened. A straightforward reboot or a string of keyboard actions may be able to assist you reset the display setup in some circumstances.

In this guide, you will find 5 steps that should help you fix "Your PC can’t project to another screen" error. You can also try a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Method 1. Fix Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 2. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

• Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Type or copy and paste the following command:

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

• Hit Enter and follow the on-screen prompts.

Method 3. Update or Reinstall the Display Driver

Try updating the faulty driver to see if it resolves the issue. You can do this automatically by using [rev id="DriverFix"], which will scan your PC for missing and out-of-date device drivers. Or you can update them manually:

• Open Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Update.
• Click the Check for updates button.
• Click the View optional updates option.
• Click the Driver updates tab.
• Select the driver you want to update.
• Click the Download and install button.

If the View optional updates link is not available after checking for updates, then Windows Update does not have any new drivers or any updates for other products at that particular time. If updating the driver did not work, you can reinstall it, which should get rid of any corruption:

• Open Device manager.
• Look for the Network adapters section and expand it.
• Find your Network adapter in the list.
• Right-click on it and press Uninstall device.
• Press Uninstall again in the confirmation box.
• Wait for the process to finish and restart your machine.

Method 4. Try Clean Boot

• Open the Search menu, type in system configuration, and press Enter.
• Under the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services box.
• Click on Disable all button.
• Head over to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
• Select a third-party program and click on Disable at the top.

• Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.
• Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state and see if the issue persists.
• If the issue disappeared in the clean boot state, then you can be certain that a third-party app is causing it.
• Go through all recently installed apps or programs and remove them one by one.

Method 5. Create a New User Account

• Open the search bar by pressing the Windows key or clicking on the search icon.
• Type user into the search bar.
• Look for and click on Add, delete, and manage other user accounts in the search results. This will take you to the Other Accounts section.
• Within the Other Accounts section, click on Add an account.

• Pay close attention to the next steps; they're important, so don't rush through following just Microsoft's recommended steps.
• Instead of providing an email address, scroll down and click on the gray Sign in without a Microsoft account option. This is known as a Local Account.
• In the new window that appears, complete the required fields (username and password).
• After entering the details, click Next to proceed.