Hardware⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: HDCP Error on Dual Monitor when one is turned off

HDCP error on dual monitor when one is turned off, Windows 10 Pro, Radeon HD7950, Samsung U28E850R, Benq G2222HDL.

Quick Answer: Try disabling the DVI-I port on the graphics card or using a different display port to rule out hardware issues.

The HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) error on dual monitor setup is a frustrating issue that affects users trying to watch movies or TV shows on Amazon Prime Instant Video. When the second screen is turned off, HDCP and consequently HD/UHD playback are not working. However, as soon as the second screen is turned on, HD playback resumes normally. This behavior seems counterintuitive and may lead some users to pirate content.

This issue can be resolved by following a series of troubleshooting steps. The goal is to identify the root cause of the problem and apply the appropriate fixes to get HDCP working correctly on both screens.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Radeon HD7950 graphics card is not able to handle the DisplayPort 1.2 connection on the Samsung U28E850R monitor, which requires HDCP support. When the second screen is turned off, the graphics card is only connected to one monitor, and as a result, it does not need to use HDCP for playback.
  • Another possible cause could be related to the DVI-I connection on the Benq G2222HDL monitor, which may not be compatible with the Radeon HD7950's output. However, this is unlikely to be the primary reason, as the issue persists even when using an alternate graphics card output.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Update Graphics Driver and Disable HDCP on Secondary Monitor

  1. Step 1: Open the Device Manager and locate the Radeon HD7950 graphics card. Right-click on it and select 'Properties'. In the Properties window, navigate to the 'Drivers' tab and click 'Update driver'. Select 'Search automatically for updated driver software' and follow the prompts to update the graphics driver.
  2. Step 2: Next, open the Display settings and locate the Benq G2222HDL monitor. Right-click on it and select 'Properties'. In the Properties window, navigate to the 'Display' tab and uncheck the box next to 'Enable HDCP'. This will disable HDCP for the secondary monitor.
  3. Step 3: Restart your computer to apply the changes. After restarting, try playing a movie or TV show on Amazon Prime Instant Video to see if HDCP is working correctly.

Use an Alternate Graphics Card Output

  1. Step 1: Open the Display settings and locate the Benq G2222HDL monitor. Right-click on it and select 'Properties'. In the Properties window, navigate to the 'Display' tab and click on the dropdown menu next to 'Output'. Select an alternate graphics card output, such as HDMI or DisplayPort 1.1.
  2. Step 2: Restart your computer to apply the changes. After restarting, try playing a movie or TV show on Amazon Prime Instant Video to see if HDCP is working correctly.

💡 Conclusion

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the HDCP error on dual monitor setup and get HD/UHD playback working correctly on both screens. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes to ensure they take effect.

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