How to Connect a MacBook Air to a Monitor with a USB Adapter or Cable

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Effortlessly connect your MacBook Air to a monitor with a USB cable
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Want to use a larger screen with your MacBook Air? The USB-C (Thunderbolt 3 or 4) port on your laptop makes it easy to use a second external monitor. Even if the monitor doesn't have a USB-C input, you can still connect it to your MacBook Air with an adapter. We'll show you how to extend or mirror your MacBook Air's screen to a monitor using a USB-C cable, or if necessary, an adapter.

Connecting an External Display to MacBook Air

  • Connect your MacBook Air to a USB-C compatible monitor with a cable that supports video output. Your Mac should detect the monitor automatically.
  • If you have an older MacBook Air or your monitor doesn’t support USB-C, you may need to use an adapter.
  • Adjust your display settings in Apple menu > System Settings > Displays .
Section 1 of 2:

Connecting Your External Display

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    All MacBook Air models from 2018 and later have USB-C ports, which can carry both video and audio to a monitor or HDTV. [1] If the monitor also has a USB-C port, you can connect it to your MacBook Air using a USB-C cable without a special adapter.
    • If you have a 2020 or later MacBook Air with an Apple chip (M1-M3), your USB-C port also supports Thunderbolt/USB 4. The 13" MacBook Air models from 2018, 2019, and 2020 USB-C ports also support Thunderbolt 3.
    • If you have a MacBook Air from 2017 or earlier, you don't have a USB-C port. However, you can still connect your MacBook Air to a USB-C monitor using a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter.
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    If both the monitor and MacBook Air have USB-C ports, a standard USB-C cable that supports video output is all you'll need to make the connection. If there's a port mismatch, you can get an adapter. [2]
    • You can find all types of USB-C adapters at stores, including USB-C to HDMI, USB-C to DisplayPort, USB-C to DVI, and USB-C to VGA. Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is one example that allows you to connect to an HDMI port, which you'll find on HDTVs and most monitors.
    • Not all USB-C cables are the same—some only support charging and not data transfer. If possible, use the USB-C cable that came with your monitor, or make sure to buy one that can supports video output. [3]
      • The USB-C cable that comes with your Mac is for charging only. It won’t work for connecting your MacBook to an external display.
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    Make sure the monitor is plugged into a power source and press its power button to turn it on.
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    You'll find this small oval port on the left side of your MacBook Air.
    • If you're using an earlier MacBook Air model that doesn't have a USB-C port, connect the Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter to your Thunderbolt port, and then plug in a USB-C cable to that adapter.
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    If both the monitor and MacBook Air are turned on, you should immediately see the MacBook Air's screen on your monitor once the connection is made.
    • If you're using a USB-C to HDMI adapter (or other type of adapter), connect the USB-C end to the cable you've plugged into your MacBook Air, and then insert the other end of the adapter into your monitor's video input port (e.g., HDMI, DVI, etc.).
    • If you don't see your Mac's screen on the monitor, turn off the monitor, and then turn it back on. [4] Or, try some of our other troubleshooting steps below.
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    Now that your monitor is connected, you can configure your display settings (for example, adjust the brightness or resolution on your monitor, or choose whether to mirror or extend your displays). [5] You'll find System Settings in the
    Mac Apple
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    Apple menu at the top-left corner of the screen.
    • If you’re using an older version of macOS, this is called System Preferences instead.
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    You’ll see this in the menu pane on the left side of the System Settings window. You may need to scroll down to find it.
    • In some older versions of macOS, it’s the blue computer screen icon at the bottom of the main System Preferences window.
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    It will appear in the main Displays window on the right.
    • In older versions of macOS, click the Arrangement tab. This tab is at the top of the window. Now you'll see two squares that represent your built-in and external monitors.
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    When you click your external monitor, a Use as menu will pop up. Select whether you want to mirror or extend your display. [6]
    • You can also use this pop-up to select which monitor will act as your main display, if you’re extending your display rather than mirroring.
      • If you’re using an older version of macOS, choose your main display by clicking and dragging the white bar at the top of your MacBook’s display icon in the Arrangement tab to the icon for your external monitor.
    • In earlier versions of macOS, if you want to use the external monitor as your only display, check the box next to "Mirror Displays" in the Arrangement tab. If you'd rather extend your desktop to the second monitor and use both monitors together, don't check this box.
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    If you are using your external display as a second monitor, drag the square that represents that monitor to its real-life position.
    • For example, if your second monitor is to the right of your MacBook Air's screen, drag the larger square to the right of the smaller square. This makes it so you can drag windows in that direction to have them appear on the second display.
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    In the Displays menu, you can also adjust things like the resolution, brightness, and color profile of each display. When you’re finished, simply close the Display window. Your adjustments should be applied automatically.
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Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting

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    If your external monitor appears dark or shows no image after you connect it to your Mac, there are a few troubleshooting measures you can try. [7] Start by making sure both your external display and your MacBook Air are turned on and connected to power, and check that all cables are connected securely.
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    If your MacBook Air’s lid is closed, you may not be able to see anything on the external display. Try opening your MacBook and waking it up. If you really want to keep the lid closed, try connecting your MacBook Air to an external mouse and keyboard.
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    Check if the USB-C cable you’re using supports your external monitor’s display rate and resolution. If you’re using an adapter, make sure it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4.
    • While you’re at it, double check that you’re using a cable that supports video output! Remember, some USB-C cables are only designed to charge, not to transfer data.
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    If you’ve plugged your cable and/or adapter into a dock or hub with multiple ports, unplug it and try connecting it directly to your MacBook instead.
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    Your Mac may have trouble connecting to an external monitor if you configure it in a way that’s not supported by your Mac or by the monitor. When you adjust your display settings, make sure you don’t exceed the resolution or refresh rate that your external monitor can handle. Don’t plug in more external monitors than your Mac can support (if you’re using multiple displays).
    • You can find the technical specs for all the different MacBook Air models on this Apple Support page .
    • Check the user manual or manufacturer’s website for your external monitor to find out what display settings it supports.
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    In some cases, your MacBook Air might need a little help detecting an external display. Try one of these methods to get them to connect:
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    If your MacBook Air has an Apple silicon chip, you might be prompted to allow the external monitor to connect when you first plug it in. Make sure you select Allow , or the new display will remain dark.
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    If your display is dark but everything else seems to be working correctly, then you might need to adjust the brightness. You may be able to do this by going to
    Mac Apple
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    Apple menu > System Settings/Preferences > Displays and using the brightness controls to adjust the brightness of your external monitor.
    • If the monitor is an Apple product, you can also use the brightness keys at the top of your MacBook’s keyboard to adjust the brightness. These keys are marked with symbols that look like the sun.
    • For third-party monitors, you may need to use controls on the monitor itself to adjust the brightness. Consult your user manual for details.
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    If you’re not using the latest version of macOS, you might have trouble connecting to an external display. Update your MacBook’s software if any updates are available.
    • If you’re using a third-party monitor, you might need to update the firmware. Check your user manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions.
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    How do I choose an external monitor?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Consider what you're mainly going to be doing on the monitor since you'll need different monitor requirements for gaming, working, or watching videos.
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      Tips

      • If your monitor isn’t compatible with a USB cable, there may be other ways to connect . For instance, you might be able to use AirPlay or connect with a different type of cable depending on what ports your MacBook has.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109523
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102477
      3. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000131273/using-a-dell-ultrasharp-usb-c-monitor-with-a-mac
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT20235
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102555
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchlb5f905a1/14.0/mac/14.0
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102501

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Check the inputs on the back of the monitor.
      2. Get a USB-C cable and adapter if necessary.
      3. Connect the MacBook Air to the monitor with a USB-C cable.
      4. Go to System Preferences and click Displays .
      5. Click the Arrangement tab and choose your preferences.

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