Overview

This article explains how to troubleshoot a blank or incorrect screen on either the instructor monitor or the classroom display (e.g. projector or large TV)

Instructions

Step 1

First, check that the computer is powered on.
How to Ensure Lectern Computers are Turned On

If the computer is on and one or both displays are still not displaying correctly, continue reading

Step 2

Next - observe what the blank screen looks like, and click on the option that best describes what you see:

Instructor Monitor is blank, but classroom display is displaying correctly

Classroom display is black even though the projector is on

Classroom display shows a computer desktop that is different from what is on the monitor

Classroom display is a blue with no message

Classroom display (or both displays) is/are blue and displays some kind of “No signal” message in the center

Both displays are black

Instructor Monitor is blank, but classroom display is displaying correctly

Confirm that the instructor monitor is on

All monitors should have a power button somewhere around the perimeter. Find this button and press it to see if the monitor comes on. If not, try the next step

Check the display project mode

Press [Win] + [P] keys simultaneously to bring up the “Project” menu. If “PC screen only” or “Second screen only” is selected, click on “duplicate.” This should tell the PC to output the display signal to both the monitor and classroom display.

If it doesn’t, there is another issue. We recommend contacting the service desk for assistance.

Classroom display is black even though the projector is on and monitor displays correctly

Check the display project mode

Press [Win] + [P] keys simultaneously to bring up the “Project” menu. If “PC screen only” or “Second screen only” is selected, click on “duplicate.” This should tell the PC to output the display signal to both the monitor and classroom display.

Classroom display shows a computer desktop that is different from what is on the monitor

Classroom display is a blue with no message

Classroom display (or both displays) is/are blue and displays some kind of “No signal” message in the center

Both displays are black

If both displays are black and you have confirmed the computer is on, we recommend contacting the service desk for assistance. Calling by phone and pressing option 1 will connect you directly with the classroom services team for immediate assistance

Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Some of the options are for self-contained hardware like the lectern PC (available in every room), the Blu-ray player, and the Document Camera (Doc Cam) while the other options are for cables to connect an external device (like a laptop) and display its screen on the projector and its audio through the speakers in the room. Most of the connecting cables are intended for laptop connections, but you may connect any device you want to so long as it has the appropriate output jacks.

To select the input for what displays on the projector and the monitor (sometimes, but not always) as well as what plays through the speakers, simply touch the appropriate icon on the screen

To display your video on the projector and your audio to the speakers, touch the appropriate icon on the touchscreen. The response should be immediate. If you have touched the appropriate icon and your intended media is not projecting to the speaker or playing through the speakers, please follow the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Confirm the Send device (typically your laptop) is powered on.
   
   

2. Confirm the connection to the device is stable and complete (a partially plugged-in or loose cable will yield poor or no results).
   
   

3. For video, confirm the video mute button on the touchscreen is disabled (white).

    

4. For audio, ensure that the audio mute button is disabled.

    

5. If audio mute is disabled but there is still no sound, ensure the output volume is turned up.

    

6. If there still isn’t audio, then check the volume output levels on the source device (either the in-class PC or the personal device you have plugged in)
   
   

7. First check the global audio on the device to ensure that it is not muted and that the sound is turned up.

    

8. Ensure the source material, i.e. the app you are using to play the video/audio (YouTube, Vimeo, VLC, etc.) is not muted and is outputting at a reasonable volume.