New iPad air won't connect to VGA display

Question

Level 1

5 points

New iPad air won't connect to VGA display

HI all.

I'm a college teacher and new iPad owner and I'm hoping to use my iPad in the classroom via a VGA cable connected to a projector.

I excitedly connected my iPad Air today to an external monitor (VGA) using the Apple Lightning to VGA adapter, but the iPad can't see the external monitor. I've tried it with a couple of monitors. I made sure the external monitor was set to VGA. I even opened a few apps, like Keynote, to see if the external monitor would then recognize the iPad Air. I've also turned the iPad on and off while the adapter was connected and plugged and unplugged the adapter to see if that would make the monitor work. This sometimes works with my MBP when the projector doesn't seem t

Does anyone have any suggestions? At this point, I'm guessing I have a defective adapter. But, before I go back to the store, I thought I'd see if anyone here has any troubleshooting solutions. I've cruised various discussion boards, but I haven't found any answers.

Thank you for your time.

- Frank

iPad Air Wi-Fi, iOS 7.0.4, Lighting to VGA adapter

Posted on Dec 29, 2013 3:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 29, 2013 4:18 PM in response to fharmstrong

You can connect via a cable or wireless using an Apple TV.

http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Guide/a/How-To-Connect-Your-Ipad-To-Your-Tv.htm

Connect an iPad to a Television or Projector

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ipad/ipad-faq/how-to-connect-ipad-to-tv-te levision-projector.html

iPad Accessories: Connections for a TV or Projector

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ipad-accessories-connections-for-a-tv-or-p rojector.html

You may be interested in AirPlay on the Apple TV:

Apple - AirPlay - Play content from iOS devices on Apple TV

http://www.apple.com/airplay/

Alternately, there are Apple Digital AV Adapters for hardwired connections:

iOS: About Apple Digital AV Adapters

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4108

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Reply

Answer 2

fharmstrong Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 29, 2013 4:49 PM in response to Texas Mac Man

Tom, thanks for your lighting-fast reply.

I have the right adapter and, according to all the discussion forum posts I've read, the iPad Air should connect to the VGA monitor when connected via the lighting to VGA adapter. For some reason, though, it's not doing what it's supposed to do.

The wireless option doesn't work for me because the main place I hope to use the external screens is at my college where I don't have the option to use Apple TV or to install software on every classroom PC.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to why my connection between my iPad Air and VGA monitor is not working. Before I go out to the store to get a replacement (which may not be the solution), I'd like to see if there's another cause of this. For example, maybe there's some display setting on the iPad Air that I'm not seeing which needs to be tweaked.

Thanks again for the help, Tom.

Any other suggestions, anyone?

- Frank

Reply

Answer 3

fharmstrong Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 27, 2014 8:11 AM in response to ALPHACENTURI

Hi Elizabeth.

My issue was that I had a keyboard case connected to my iPad Air. As soon as I took the iPad out of the keyboard case, it worked.

It turns out that the adapter that I took back to the store probably worked just fine.

I hope this helps...

- Frank

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 15, 2015 11:40 AM in response to fharmstrong

I had this same thing happening. After teaching for a frustrating week and a half, without any solutions (and extensive searches online), I got desperate. Finally I reset the iPad settings (Settings > General > Reset). This made it work. I have no idea what setting caused it to stop working.

Nathan

iPad Air

iOS 8.4.1

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 26, 2014 12:33 PM in response to fharmstrong

Hello Frank

did you ever get this solved as I have the exact same problem,? Grteful for any help yo ucan pass on.

thanks

Elizabeth

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 9, 2015 11:36 AM in response to fharmstrong

Same problem here in all of my classrooms at the university. I really need a solution too.

Reply