Connecting Laptop and Projector

How to connect your laptop to a supported projector.

Recently I’ve been getting a lot of requests and questions towards how to connect a projector to a laptop. I’m working with IT support and this question seem to be frequent, so I decided to make a general and simple instruction, providing you with the information you need to get it right.

What you need

• Laptop with DVI or VGA connector input
• Projector (Remote control is a plus)
• Power cords and power adapters for both laptop and projector
  • Extension cords if needed
• Video cable (DVI-cable if you have a DVI connector and VGA-cable if you have a VGA connector)
  • Extension cords if needed
• Backup of your presentation is always wise, keep it on a USB-storage or CD/DVD media

Step for step

1. Make sure that you have the right video-cable for connecting your laptop to the projector. Most new projectors support both VGA and DVI output, and most laptops provide the VGA connector input by standard. So you should be safe using a VGA male-male video cable.
2. Connect the video cable. Connect one end to the Projector “Computer In” port and connect the other end to the Video (external monitor) port on the laptop.
3. Make sure both ends are securely connected and tighten if necessary. Use a screwdriver or small pliers to tighten the connectors. A loose connection at either end will often prevent the video signal to reach through the cable.
4. Optional If your projector has a mouse for remote control, connect the cable to the laptop mouse port and then connect the other end to the Projector Mouse/Com port. If your projector uses an infrared remote, make sure the adapter is in place or that the devices are lined up correctly for the signal to be sent and received.
5. Optional Locate the audio cable and connect the audio cable included with the projector to the Audio Out on the laptop and Audio In on the projector. Make sure these connections are tight.
6. Start your laptop and the projector. Make sure to check all connections to ensure they have been properly connected.
7. This applies for most laptops Press both “FN (Function)“+”Screen” keys on your laptop, press “Source” button on the projector or remote until you get to “Analog” (VGA) or “Digital” (DVI) on the presentation. Wait a few seconds between each source, if the cables are properly connected you should now see the image from your laptop on the projected image.

Tips

1. Always do a dry run of your presentation to check the device connections and to ensure other technical aspects are ready.
2. Be prepared in case of power outages by having sufficient battery backup available for the laptop and projector.
3. Run through your presentation beforehand, to make sure that everything is working.
4. Take a deep breath and start your presentation when your audience is present.