Understanding and Resolving 'Not Available' Message on Your TV When Connected to a Laptop
Are you experiencing a 'Not Available' message on your TV while it's connected to your laptop as a second monitor? If your video and sound work fine, this message might be confusing. This article will help you understand the issue and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve it.
The Issue Explained
This issue is often related to the video card on your laptop sending control messages to the TV that are not recognized. Here are a few more details to consider:
The laptop's graphics card might be sending commands not supported by your TV. Most TVs will ignore unrecognized commands, but some might display a 'Not Available' message as a friendly error. The message might be due to CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) commands, which can cause issues if not properly configured.Troubleshooting Steps
To resolve the 'Not Available' message, you can try the following steps:
1. Check Your TV Settings
Ensure that you have selected the correct input channel on your TV. If you connected your laptop to HDMI2, but your TV's input channel is set to HDMI1, you will receive the 'Not Available' message. Make sure to select the correct input channel to ensure that the picture and sound from your laptop are displayed correctly.
2. Update TV Firmware (if applicable)
Your TV might have firmware updates that address the issue with CEC messages. Check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website for firmware update instructions.
3. Adjust Video Card Settings
Updating your laptop's video card drivers might resolve the issue. Go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers for your video card (e.g., HD 620).
4. Disable CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)
CEC messages can sometimes cause issues. You can disable CEC on your TV in the settings menu to see if that resolves the problem.
Conclusion
If you've tried all the above steps and still encounter the 'Not Available' message, it's worth reaching out to the support team for your TV or laptop for more specific guidance. Including the TV and laptop model in your question will help you get more detailed and accurate answers.
Related Questions and Answers
Here are a few related questions and answers that might help you:
Q: I hear a message but the audio and video still work fine.
A: This often indicates a compatibility issue between the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) commands sent by your laptop's graphics card and your TV. Most TVs will ignore the commands but some might display a 'Not Available' message. Check your TV settings and update your video card drivers to resolve the issue.
Q: My laptop video card is HD 620. Should I reinstall the video drivers?
A: Yes, reinstalling the video drivers (e.g., for the HD 620) can often resolve compatibility issues. Go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers to update your system.
Q: What is CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)?
A: CEC is a protocol that allows devices (like a laptop and a TV) to communicate with each other through the HDMI connection. Sometimes, these commands can cause issues, as your TV might not recognize them. Disabling CEC on your TV or updating your drivers can help resolve the problem.