There’s nothing more frustrating than preparing for a presentation or service, only to find that your visuals aren’t showing up on the projector. If you’re using ProPresenter and your slides, videos, or graphics aren’t displaying correctly, you’re not alone. This issue is one of the most common technical problems church tech teams, AV volunteers, and event production professionals run into. Yet, despite its frequency, pinning down the solution can feel overwhelming without the right guidance.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about ProPresenter not showing on a projector — what causes the problem, how to troubleshoot step-by-step, and how to prevent future display issues. Whether you’re a beginner setting up for the first time or a seasoned operator encountering a new challenge, this guide is designed to help you diagnose and fix the issue with confidence.
Why ProPresenter Display Issues Matter
ProPresenter is a powerful presentation software used widely in worship services, conferences, schools, and live events. It’s designed to deliver text, lyrics, images, and video across multiple screens simultaneously. When it works, it enhances the audience’s experience. When it doesn’t, it halts your flow and distracts from your message.
When your projector fails to show content from ProPresenter, it’s not just a minor inconvenience — it can disrupt communication, diminish engagement, and create stress in real time. Understanding how to fix these problems quickly ensures your presentations run smoothly and your audience stays focused on what matters most.
Common Causes of ProPresenter Not Showing on a Projector
There are several reasons why ProPresenter content may not appear on your projector. Most fall into one of these major categories:
- Hardware connectivity issues
- Display settings misconfiguration
- Software bugs or version mismatches
- Operating system permissions or driver problems
Below, we’ll break down each cause and prioritize the most effective solutions. These are organized from simplest to most advanced so you can troubleshoot systematically.
Initial Steps: Check Your Physical Connections
Before diving into software settings, always start with the basics.
Confirm Cable Connections
A loose or damaged cable can stop your projector from receiving a signal altogether. Here’s what to check:
- Ensure the HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort cable connecting your computer to the projector is firmly inserted at both ends.
- Look for bent pins or visible damage on the connectors.
- If possible, swap the cable with a known working one to rule out cable faults.
Check Projector Power and Input Source
Projectors often have multiple input sources (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, VGA, etc.). Verify that:
- The projector is powered on.
- The correct input source is selected.
- The projector’s indicator lights show it’s receiving a signal.
Sometimes an input button on both the projector and a remote control can accidentally switch sources, leading to a blank screen even though ProPresenter is sending output.
Verify Your Computer’s Display Settings
Once hardware checks out, the next layer is your computer’s display configuration.
Extend or Duplicate Displays?
ProPresenter expects to output content to a secondary display. If your OS is set to mirroring the main display, or not recognizing the second display at all, the projector will go blank.
On Mac:
- Go to System Preferences > Displays.
- Click the Arrangement tab.
- Ensure that Mirror Displays is unchecked.
- You should see two blue display rectangles — one for your laptop screen, and one for the projector.
If the second display doesn’t appear at all, click Detect Displays.
On Windows:
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Under Multiple displays, select Extend these displays.
- Confirm that your projector is recognized as Display 2 or Display 3.
- If not, click Detect.
The idea is that ProPresenter will use the extended display area to drive your projector output.
Configure ProPresenter Display Settings
Now that your operating system sees the projector properly, you must configure ProPresenter to use it.
Check Output Settings in ProPresenter
ProPresenter uses separate outputs for screens and audiences. Here’s what to do:
- Open ProPresenter.
- Go to ProPresenter > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows).
- Click the Displays tab.
You should see your connected displays listed here. Typical setups include:
- Primary Display – your control screen
- Stage Display – for speaker notes, timers, etc.
- Audience Display – your projector or screens that show output to the audience
If the projector isn’t listed, ProPresenter does not detect a display at the OS level.
Assign Screens Correctly
Under Screens, ensure that:
- Your projector is assigned as an Audience Display.
- The correct resolution and refresh rate are selected. Most modern projectors support 1920×1080 at 60Hz, but older projectors might require 1280×720 or 1024×768.
Incorrect resolution settings can result in blank screens or distortion.
Update Software and Drivers
Outdated software can lead to display conflicts.
Update ProPresenter
Make sure you’re running the latest version of ProPresenter:
- Visit the official Renewed Vision site.
- Download and install the latest version supported by your license.
New releases often include bug fixes and improved display handling.
Update Operating System
Both macOS and Windows regularly update display drivers and improve compatibility with external displays.
- On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Install any pending updates and restart your system.
Update Graphics Drivers (Windows)
Windows machines sometimes suffer from outdated graphics drivers, especially when using discrete GPUs.
- Identify your GPU (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD).
- Visit the manufacturer’s website.
- Download and install the latest drivers compatible with your model.
After updating, restart and recheck your display settings.
Troubleshooting Audio and Video Playback
Sometimes the projector shows a blank screen only during video playback in ProPresenter. Inconsistent behavior often points to codec or playback engine issues.
Check Video Codec Compatibility
ProPresenter relies on the operating system’s video framework. Unsupported codecs can result in black screens or no output.
- Convert video files to widely compatible formats like H.264 MP4.
- Avoid obscure or outdated codecs that may not play reliably on all systems.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
In some cases, hardware acceleration can cause unstable playback. Try turning it off:
- Go to ProPresenter > Preferences > Video.
- Disable Hardware Acceleration.
This forces the software to use software-based playback, which can fix display issues on certain graphics cards.
Dealing With High Refresh Rates
Some modern laptops default to high refresh rates (120Hz, 144Hz) to support gaming and smooth visuals. Projectors, however, often run at 60Hz or lower.
If your display settings are mismatched:
- Go to Display Settings.
- Lower the refresh rate of your projector display to 60Hz.
- Restart ProPresenter.
Mismatched refresh rates can cause flickering, blank displays, or no signal at all.
Using a Capture Card or Video Scaler
In professional environments, hardware like video scalers or capture cards may be used.
Video Scalers
Video scalers can convert and scale signals to match your projector’s native resolution. If you’re using a scaler:
- Ensure it receives signal from your computer.
- Confirm its output matches the projector’s input.
Misconfiguration in scaler settings often results in no output.
Capture Cards
Capture cards used in streaming setups can sometimes interfere as intermediate devices. Temporarily bypass them to test direct output.
Troubleshooting Multi-Projector and Screen Walls
Complex setups with multiple projectors require careful configuration.
Confirm Each Display’s Identity
When using a video wall or multiple projectors:
- Label each display correctly in Display Settings.
- In ProPresenter, assign each output to the appropriate display.
Check Splitters and Matrix Switchers
Hardware splitters distribute video to multiple outputs. Problems can originate here:
- Test each output individually.
- Bypass the splitter to isolate issues.
Matrix switchers can sometimes route signals incorrectly — verify that each projector receives the intended input.
Advanced: Log Files and Diagnostics
If ProPresenter still won’t show output, diagnostics can help.
Review Log Files
ProPresenter creates logs that may point to errors:
- On Mac:
~/Library/Logs/RenewedVision/ProPresenter - On Windows:
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\RenewedVision\ProPresenter
Open the latest log files and look for errors referencing display, output, or video.
Check System Console or Event Viewer
Operating system logs may reveal driver or hardware conflicts:
- On Mac, use Console.app.
- On Windows, use Event Viewer (Windows Logs > System).
Search for warnings or errors tied to display drivers or USB/Thunderbolt connection devices.
Specific Common Scenarios and Solutions
Scenario: Projector Shows Desktop, But ProPresenter Output is Blank
If your desktop extends to the projector but ProPresenter shows nothing:
- Double-check ProPresenter Display assignments.
- Verify that Audience Display is set to the projector.
- Ensure ProPresenter is set to use the extended display, not mirrored.
Scenario: Projector Flickers or Shows Distorted Output
Flickering often indicates resolution or refresh rate conflicts:
- Lower resolution to 1280×720.
- Ensure refresh rate matches between displays.
- Swap cables to rule out physical connection problems.
Scenario: TV/Monitor Works, Projector Doesn’t
Some projectors have stricter EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) requirements:
- Try a different projector input.
- Use a different cable or a shorter run.
- Add an EDID emulator to ensure stable handshake.
Preventing Future Issues
Once you’ve resolved your current problem, take steps to guard against future display failures:
Create a Display Checklist
Before every event or service:
- Confirm all cables are securely connected.
- Verify projector input source.
- Check that your operating system recognizes displays correctly.
- Launch ProPresenter and confirm audience screens are assigned.
Save Display Presets in ProPresenter
ProPresenter allows you to save display configurations:
- Store settings as a preset for easy reloading.
- This dramatically reduces setup time and human error.
Train Your Team
Document your AV setup and distribute a guide to your volunteers:
- Include diagrams of inputs/outputs.
- Provide step-by-step troubleshooting steps.
A trained team reduces stress and helps maintain consistency.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting steps and your projector still won’t show ProPresenter output, it may be time to consult a professional technician. Persistent problems could stem from:
- Defective hardware (projector, GPU, adapter)
- Complex networked AV configurations
- Firmware incompatibilities
A certified AV technician can perform deeper diagnostics and onsite evaluation.
Conclusion
ProPresenter not showing on a projector is a common but highly solvable problem. Most issues stem from connection problems, display configuration settings, or software mismatches. By following the methodical troubleshooting steps outlined above from verifying cables and display modes to adjusting ProPresenter settings and updating drivers you can quickly identify and resolve the root cause. Remember, methodical troubleshooting not only fixes your current problem but builds confidence and efficiency for future events. With the right preparation, your presentations and services can run smoothly and professionally every time.
