How to set up Samsung dual monitors on Windows and Mac
Using two or more screens can significantly boost your productivity, making multitasking smoother and more efficient. As long as your computer has the necessary ports available, setting up a dual monitor workstation is almost as simple as connecting a single display. Once the monitors are connected, a few additional steps will ensure everything is configured correctly for the best experience.
Note: While the advice in this guide is broadly applicable, it has been tailored specifically for our Canadian customers.
Most modern computers can support dual or multiple monitors simply by plugging them into the available display ports, just like you would when setting up a single monitor. The process is nearly the same, with only a few extra configuration steps once everything is connected.
To determine how many monitors your computer can support, check the number and type of available graphics ports such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, or USB-C.
If there aren’t enough ports, you may still be able to connect additional monitors using alternative methods like USB display adapters. However, keep in mind that your computer may have a maximum number of supported displays, depending on its graphics hardware. On desktop PCs, adding or upgrading a graphics card is a common way to expand the number of available video outputs.
Note: If you’re unsure how many monitors your system can support or if you're having trouble getting all displays to work at once, consult your computer’s manufacturer for guidance.
Note: It is normal for the display to flicker momentarily when connecting a monitor or adjusting certain settings.
Once you've connected all your monitors to your Windows PC, follow the steps below to configure and optimize your display layout:
Step 1: Access display settings
- Extend these displays: Allows you to use each monitor as a separate screen, giving you additional workspace. When using this option, one monitor must be designated as your main display, which will host the Start menu, taskbar, and most default windows. To do this, select the appropriate monitor in the diagram within Display settings, and then check the box labeled “Make this my main display”.
- Duplicate these displays: Mirrors your primary screen across all connected monitors, which is useful in presentation settings. Keep in mind that if your monitors have different resolutions, Windows will automatically match all displays to the resolution of the monitor with the lowest setting.
- Show only on [1 or 2]: Displays content exclusively on the selected monitor while turning the others black. This option is commonly used when connecting a laptop to a larger external display. If you're closing the laptop lid while using an external monitor, make sure your power settings are configured so the laptop does not go to sleep (this can be adjusted in the Control Panel under Power Options).
Step 2: Identify monitors
Click the Identify button. A large number will temporarily appear on each monitor, corresponding to how they are shown in the diagram. You can refer back to these numbers when arranging the monitors later in the setup process.
Step 3: Adjust screen orientation (if needed)
- Landscape: Bottom of the monitor is at the bottom. This is the default option.
- Landscape (flipped): Bottom of the monitor is at the top.
- Portrait: Bottom of the monitor is on the left.
- Portrait (flipped): Bottom is on the right.
Step 4: Set recommended resolution
Pro tip: If the recommended resolution does not appear correctly or seems off, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date by checking for updates via Windows Update or using your GPU manufacturer’s software (such as Intel Graphics Command Center, NVIDIA Control Panel, or AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition).
Step 5: Arrange monitor positions
Tip: Monitors do not need to be perfectly aligned in the interface. If they have different sizes or resolutions, position them so that mouse movement between screens feels smooth and natural.
Good to know: Even if your monitors are physically placed far apart, Windows treats them as directly connected. As a consequence, it's important to arrange them side-by-side in settings to ensure the mouse transitions properly between screens.
Additional tips (Windows 11)
- Remember window locations: Go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays and enable the option “Remember window locations based on monitor connection”. This helps restore app placement when reconnecting external monitors.
- Use the Win + P shortcut: Quickly toggle between display modes by pressing the Windows key + P, which opens the Project menu for easy access.
- If monitors aren’t detected: Click the Detect button in Display Settings, ensure all cables are securely connected, verify power to external displays, and update display and chipset drivers using Windows Update or your hardware manufacturer's utility.
Note: It’s normal for the display to flicker momentarily when connecting a monitor or adjusting certain settings.
To begin, make sure all your Samsung monitors are connected, powered on, and plugged into your Mac via the appropriate cable or adapter (such as HDMI, USB‑C, or Thunderbolt).
Step 1: Open display settings
From the Apple menu , choose System Settings (or System Preferences depending on your macOS version), then click Displays. macOS should automatically detect connected monitors. To trigger detection manually, press and hold the Option key and click Detect Displays.
Step 2: Choose Extend or Mirror display mode
Navigate to the Arrangement tab:
- Extend the displays: Use this mode to expand your desktop across both monitors, giving you more screen real estate.
- Mirror the displays: Use this if you want both screens to show the same content. If your monitors have different resolutions, macOS will adjust the visuals to match the lowest resolution.
Step 3: Set the primary display
To change which screen shows the menu bar and is treated as the main display, drag the white menu-bar strip to the preferred display in the Arrangement view, or right-click a screen and select Main Display.
Step 4: Arrange screen positions and orientation
Drag the display icons to reflect your physical setup (left, right, above, etc.), then release to position them.
To rotate a monitor (e.g., portrait orientation), select the display in System Settings > Displays, then choose a rotation angle under Rotation or Rotate.
Step 5: Adjust display settings
Select each display, then in System Settings > Displays, you can:
- Choose Default for display or manually select a scaled resolution.
- Set the Refresh Rate (if available).
- Select Color Profile, adjust brightness, enable True Tone or set Night Shift mode.
Additional notes & troubleshooting (macOS)
- Multiple monitors with different roles: You can mirror two monitors while extending onto a third—just enable mirroring in Arrangement, then drag the third display apart.
- macOS Sonoma/Ventura and later: Wireless external display options are available (such as AirPlay to Apple TV), though wired connections provide the most reliable performance.
- If monitors aren’t detected: Press the Option key and click Detect Displays. Ensure all cables are securely connected, restart your Mac and reconnect the display, and confirm your Mac model supports the number of connected monitors (many M-series Macs support only two external displays; check under Apple menu > System Settings > Help > [Your Mac] Specifications > “Display Support”).
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