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To daisy chain two Dell monitors, you’ll need to check if both of your monitors support DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport, and then connect them using a DisplayPort cable from your computer to the first monitor and another DisplayPort cable from the first monitor’s output port to the second monitor’s input port.
This setup is the most straightforward way to daisy chain two Dell monitors, and it’s a feature included on many modern Dell models like the UltraSharp, P-Series, and some S-Series lines.
If your monitors don’t have a DisplayPort out port, you might still be able to daisy chain two Dell monitors using a USB-C connection, but only if both monitors support USB-C’s video passthrough feature.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how to daisy chain two Dell monitors, what cables and ports you need, how to configure the settings, and how to troubleshoot common problems so you can get your multi-monitor setup running smoothly.
Let’s dive in and get your desk setup upgraded.
What You Need to Daisy Chain Two Dell Monitors
Before you try to daisy chain two Dell monitors, you’ll want to gather the right hardware, because not every cable or port will work for this task.
The most important requirement is that both monitors must have DisplayPort 1.2 or newer, and at least the first monitor (the one connected to your PC) must have a DisplayPort out port specifically for daisy chaining.
You’ll also need two DisplayPort cables, and I’d recommend using certified cables that are rated for DP1.2 or higher, because cheap or older cables can cause flickering or no signal at all.
If your Dell monitors are newer models with USB-C, you can daisy chain two Dell monitors using USB-C to DisplayPort cables or USB-C to USB-C cables, but you need to verify that both monitors support DisplayPort over USB-C and that they have a USB-C upstream and downstream port.
Let’s look at the specific port combinations that will let you daisy chain two Dell monitors without any headaches.
1. Both Monitors Have DisplayPort Out and In Ports
The classic method to daisy chain two Dell monitors is when both monitors have a DisplayPort input and a DisplayPort output, usually labeled as DP In and DP Out.
Your computer connects to the first monitor’s DP In port using a DisplayPort cable, then you run a second DisplayPort cable from the first monitor’s DP Out port to the second monitor’s DP In port.
This is how the majority of Dell UltraSharp monitors work, and it’s the most reliable way to daisy chain two Dell monitors because DP’s MST technology was designed exactly for this purpose.
Just make sure you use the DP Out port on the first monitor, not an extra DP In port, because plugging into the wrong port will simply mirror the signal instead of extending your desktop.
2. Using USB-C Passthrough for Daisy Chain Two Dell Monitors
If your Dell monitors are part of the newer USB-C Hub series, like the U2723QE or P2723QE, you can daisy chain two Dell monitors using a USB-C cable and the monitor’s built-in MST hub.
Connect your laptop or PC to the first monitor’s USB-C upstream port, and then connect a USB-C cable from the first monitor’s USB-C downstream port to the second monitor’s USB-C upstream port.
This method works well because the first monitor acts as a hub, passing both video and data signals to the second monitor, which allows you to daisy chain two Dell monitors with just one cable running to your computer.
Just remember that your graphics card or laptop’s USB-C port must support DisplayPort Alt Mode, and you might need to adjust the USB-C priority settings in the monitor’s OSD menu to prioritize video over data.
3. Check Your Graphics Card Supports MST
Even if your monitors are ready to daisy chain two Dell monitors, your computer’s graphics card also needs to support Multi-Stream Transport.
This is a hardware-level feature that allows a single DisplayPort output to carry multiple video streams, so you can drive both monitors from one port.
Most dedicated GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD built in the last eight years support MST, and many Intel integrated graphics chips do as well, but you can check your GPU’s specifications online to be 100% sure.
If your GPU doesn’t support MST, you won’t be able to daisy chain two Dell monitors, and you’ll have to use separate ports on your computer for each monitor instead.
Step-by-Step: How to Daisy Chain Two Dell Monitors
Once you’ve confirmed your hardware is ready, here’s the detailed process to actually daisy chain two Dell monitors, and I’ll walk you through each step so you don’t miss anything important.
Step 1: Power Off Both Monitors and Your Computer
Always start by powering off your PC and both monitors before you connect any cables, because this prevents potential static damage to the ports.
This is a small but crucial step when you daisy chain two Dell monitors, as hot-plugging MST cables can sometimes confuse the monitor’s firmware and cause display detection issues.
Step 2: Connect Your PC to the First Monitor
Take your first DisplayPort cable and plug it into the video output on your computer, and then plug the other end into the DP In port on the first Dell monitor.
This first monitor is your primary display, and it’s the one that will process the signal and pass it along to the second monitor, so double-check that you’re using its input port and not the output port.
Step 3: Connect the First Monitor to the Second Monitor
Now, plug your second DisplayPort cable into the DP Out port on the first monitor, and then connect the other end to the DP In port on the second Dell monitor.
This is the core connection that lets you daisy chain two Dell monitors, and it’s important to use the dedicated DP Out port because it’s the only port that carries the video signal to the next monitor.
Step 4: Power On Your Monitors and PC
Turn on both monitors first, and then boot up your computer, and the system should automatically detect both displays through the daisy chain.
If your monitors don’t light up right away, don’t panic; you might just need to change a few settings in your operating system or in the monitor’s on-screen display menu.
Step 5: Enable Daisy Chain Settings in the Monitor OSD
Depending on your Dell monitor model, you might need to enable the MST or daisy chain feature manually by navigating to the monitor’s OSD menu.
Look for settings like “DisplayPort 1.2” or “Daisy Chain” and set them to Enabled, because some Dell monitors ship with this feature turned off by default to save power.
You can find these settings by pressing the joystick button on the back of your monitor, going to Display, and then selecting DisplayPort Stream or Multi-Stream Transport.
Configuring Dual Monitor Settings on Windows
After you physically daisy chain two Dell monitors, you’ll need to configure your operating system to use both screens the way you want, either as extended displays or as a mirrored desktop.
1. Set Display Mode to Extend
Press the Windows key and the P key together to open the projection menu, and then select the “Extend” option to make your two Dell monitors act as one seamless desktop.
This is the most common setup when you daisy chain two Dell monitors, because it lets you drag windows across both screens and use them as separate workspaces.
2. Adjust Resolution and Orientation
Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings,” and you’ll see two numbered rectangles representing your monitors when they’re properly connected.
Click on each monitor number to set its resolution, and you can also drag them in the settings window to match their physical positions on your desk, like putting monitor 2 to the right of monitor 1.
3. Set the Primary Monitor
If you want your first monitor to be the one that shows your taskbar and desktop icons, select that monitor in Display settings, then click on “Make this my main display.”
This is a useful step because when you daisy chain two Dell monitors, Windows sometimes defaults to the second monitor as the primary, which can confusingly move your start menu to the right screen.
Troubleshooting When You Can’t Daisy Chain Two Dell Monitors
Sometimes things don’t work out perfectly, and you might run into issues where the second monitor doesn’t get any signal, but here are the common fixes to get your daisy chain working.
1. Verify You’re Using the Correct DP Out Port
The most common mistake is plugging your second monitor into the first monitor’s DP In port instead of the DP Out port, which will only duplicate the first screen or show no signal at all.
Take a look at the back of your first Dell monitor, and you’ll likely see one port labeled with an outgoing arrow or the letters “DP Out,” and that’s the only one that will allow you to daisy chain two Dell monitors.
2. Update Your Graphics Card Drivers
Outdated drivers are a frequent culprit, so head to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver version for your specific hardware.
After updating, reboot your computer, and then check if the second monitor is detected, since driver updates often fix MST handshake issues that block you from daisy chaining.
3. Try a Different DisplayPort Cable
Not all DisplayPort cables are created equal, and some older cables only support DP1.1, which does not have enough bandwidth to carry two video streams.
Swap out your cables for ones that are certified for DP1.2 or higher, because this is a cheap fix that solves the problem for many people who want to daisy chain two Dell monitors.
4. Reset Monitor to Factory Defaults
If you’ve tweaked settings in your monitor’s OSD menu and things aren’t working, just reset the monitor to its factory defaults via the OSD, which will re-enable any necessary MST features.
This can clear up any weird configuration errors that you accidentally caused while trying to daisy chain two Dell monitors, and it takes just a minute to do.
So, How to Daisy Chain Two Dell Monitors Like a Pro?
You can daisy chain two Dell monitors as long as both support DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport, and you have the right cables and a compatible graphics card.
The process is simple: connect your PC to the first monitor, then link the first monitor to the second using the DP Out port, and then enable the extend display mode in Windows.
If you follow the steps we covered above for setup and troubleshooting, you’ll have a clean, cable-managed dual-screen workspace that boosts your productivity.
So go ahead and check your monitor’s ports, grab two DisplayPort cables, and you’ll be daisy chaining your Dell monitors in no time.
We hope this guide on how to daisy chain two Dell monitors has answered your questions and saved you from a tangled mess of cables on your desk.