First step for a monitor with no display: What should a technician do first? A user reports a blank monitor. Before complex diagnostics or opening equipment, what is the very first action you should take?

Introduction / Context:
Effective troubleshooting starts with simple, non-invasive checks. Display problems are frequently caused by loose cables, powered-off monitors, or input-source mismatches rather than internal failures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Monitor appears blank or reports “No Signal.”
• Safety and warranty considerations discourage opening devices prematurely.
• User may have recently moved equipment or changed cables.

Concept / Approach:

Follow the “check the obvious first” principle. Confirm AC power, power switch, indicator LEDs, brightness, and that the video cable is firmly seated at both ends and on the correct port. Verify the monitor’s selected input matches the cable (HDMI/DP/VGA).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Swap in a known-good cable or known-good monitor; if the problem persists, escalate to GPU/PC diagnostics. Many “dead monitor” tickets resolve with reseating or correcting inputs.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Probing internal circuitry first is unsafe and unnecessary at this stage.
• Simply power-cycling the monitor or PC may help but should follow basic cable/power checks.
• “None of the above” ignores the foundational step of checking connections.

Common Pitfalls:

Overlooking a disconnected power brick, sleeping monitor, or wrong input source. Always document the initial state and simple corrections.

Final Answer:

Check its connections to the computer and power source