I'm new to using Linux Mint and want to set it up so I can use my laptop with Steam like a gaming console for my TV through an HDMI connection. I've plugged in the HDMI cable, but my laptop isn't recognizing it as a second display. I don't see any options for scanning for displays or troubleshooting in the settings. The HDMI works fine when tested on a Windows desktop, so I know the cable isn't the issue. I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's going wrong and how to get it working!
3 Answers
Have you tried using a hotkey to switch the display output to the HDMI port? On some laptops, it's + or similar, but it might vary. Also, keep in mind that some TVs don’t provide accurate display information, which can result in limitations like lower resolutions. If you're using X Windows, you can try ARandR to configure the display. You might also want to look into using edid-generator to fix EDID issues if this persists. After setting it up, don’t forget to create a script to handle it on every boot!
If all else fails, you might consider installing SteamOS instead of Mint. It's more focused on gaming and usually comes with better drivers and support for gaming hardware, which could resolve your issues.
I usually have a pretty seamless experience connecting my devices, so it’s strange this isn't working for you. Can you share which Linux Mint version you're running, your desktop environment (DE), and the specs for your video card and drivers? Sometimes issues can arise if the Optimus graphics-switching feature isn’t configured properly; it’s worth checking if your Nvidia GPU is set as the active graphics processor.

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