Do Monitor Mounts Come with Screws? My Experience
So, you’re eyeing up a monitor mount, probably to reclaim some desk real estate or just make your setup look less like a spaghetti junction. Smart move. But then the nagging question pops into your head: do monitor mounts come with screws?
Honestly, it’s a coin toss, and one that can lead to a frustrating afternoon if you guess wrong. I remember the first time I bought a fancy gas-spring arm. Spent a good two hours wrestling with it, only to realize the mounting plate screws were nowhere to be found.
That particular afternoon involved a lot of pacing and a mild existential crisis about the state of modern manufacturing. You just want to get your monitor up, not embark on a scavenger hunt.
Here’s the real deal, straight from someone who’s bought more mounts than I care to admit and wasted more evenings than I’m proud of.
The Screw Situation: It Depends, Obviously
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Do monitor mounts come with screws? Most of them *should*, but that’s a far cry from saying they *always* do, or that the ones they provide are the *right* ones.
Think of it like buying a simple IKEA shelf. Sometimes you get all the little doodads, sometimes you find yourself staring at a bag of mismatched fasteners and a cryptic diagram. Monitor mounts are no different, except the stakes are higher – you don’t want your expensive monitor taking a nosedive because of a rogue M4 screw.
Typically, when you buy a monitor mount, you’re expecting it to be a complete package. The manufacturer wants you to have a good experience, right? So, they’ll usually include the hardware to attach the mount to your desk or wall, and importantly, the VESA screws to attach the monitor to the mount itself. These VESA screws are what directly interface with the back of your monitor, and they come in a few standard sizes (M4, M5, M6) and lengths. Brands usually toss in a couple of different lengths to cover most bases.
My First Big Monitor Mount Screw-Up
It was about five years ago. I’d just splurged on a dual-monitor gas-spring arm from a brand I thought was super reputable. The unboxing experience was slick, the metal felt solid, and I was already picturing my perfectly aligned dual-display setup. Then came the VESA mounting stage. The bracket that attaches to the monitor looked standard enough. I reached for the screws that came in the little plastic baggie, and immediately felt a pang of dread. They were all identical, and way too short. Like, comically short. My monitor has a slightly recessed VESA mount, a common design on many modern displays, and these screws wouldn’t even engage a full thread. (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )
I spent the next two hours rummaging through my toolbox, digging through old electronics, even contemplating a desperate trip to the hardware store at 9 PM. It turns out, that specific mount, designed for thinner monitors, didn’t account for the depth of my particular display. I ended up having to order a separate VESA screw kit online – costing me an extra $25 and delaying my setup by three days. That feeling of being so close, yet so utterly thwarted by a few millimeters of metal? Infuriating. It taught me a valuable lesson: always check the included hardware, and be prepared to buy your own if needed.
When ‘included’ Isn’t Enough: The Vesa Screw Conundrum
The real kicker with monitor mounts and screws isn’t just whether they’re included, but whether the *included* screws are actually usable for *your* monitor. This is where things get dicey.
Most monitor arms will come with a variety of VESA mounting screws, often including M4, M5, and M6 diameters, usually in lengths like 10mm, 12mm, and maybe 16mm. This is a decent starting point. However, monitors aren’t standardized down to the last millimeter of screw depth. Some monitors have slightly thicker backs, some have deeper screw holes, and some have those pesky recessed VESA mounts that eat up screw length. Then there are ultra-thin monitors, where even the shortest included screws might be too long and hit something inside the display. It’s a delicate balancing act. You need enough thread engagement for a secure hold, but not so much that you risk damaging internal components. The recommended minimum thread engagement for VESA mounting is typically around 5-7mm. Anything less is asking for trouble.
If you have an older monitor, especially a thicker CRT style (though who still uses those for PC gaming?), you might have different thread sizes altogether. Consumer Reports, in one of their behind-the-scenes tests on display mounting solutions, noted that while most modern mounts are well-equipped, unexpected variations in monitor chassis depth are a common stumbling block for DIY installers.
What to Do When the Screws Are Wrong (or Missing)
So, you’ve unboxed your shiny new monitor mount, eager to get it installed, and… the screws don’t fit. Or worse, they’re not there at all. What now?
First, take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world. Don’t panic and try to force the wrong screw; that’s how you strip threads or damage your monitor’s mounting points. Instead, do this:
- Check Your Monitor’s Manual: Seriously, pull it up. It will tell you the exact VESA screw size (M4, M5, M6) and the recommended screw length for your specific model. This is gold information.
- Inspect the Included Hardware: Lay out all the screws that came with the mount. See what you have. Sometimes, you might have the right diameter but the wrong length, or vice-versa.
- Buy a VESA Screw Kit: This is your best bet for a guaranteed solution. You can find these online from many retailers, often for under $15. They typically come with a wide assortment of metric screws (M4, M5, M6) in various lengths (from 8mm all the way up to 20mm or more), and often include spacers. This is what I do now as a preventative measure, just to have options. It’s like having a small toolbox specifically for monitor mounting emergencies.
- Consider Spacers: If the included screws are too long, but you don’t have shorter ones, sometimes you can use the plastic spacers that often come with mounts (or buy them separately) to take up some of the excess length. This is less common but can work in a pinch.
Desk Clamps vs. Grommet Mounts: A Screw-Related Distinction
When you’re figuring out how to mount your monitor arm, you’ll generally have two main choices for attaching the pole to your desk: a C-clamp or a grommet mount. This distinction is important, not for the VESA screws, but for the *desk-attachment* screws. (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )
C-Clamps: These usually don’t require any drilling. You just tighten the clamp onto the edge of your desk. The screws here are part of the clamp mechanism itself and are generally built-in or come as part of the clamp assembly. You won’t typically need to worry about finding separate screws for this part of the installation.
Grommet Mounts: These require you to drill a hole through your desk (or use an existing one). A bolt then passes through this hole, and the mount secures to it from above. Typically, the bolt and nut for the grommet mount are included with the monitor arm. Again, you’re usually covered here. But! If you’re using a pre-drilled hole that’s slightly too large, or you want a more secure fit, you might need to source your own specific washer or bolt. This is less common, but it’s a possibility. My cousin once installed a grommet mount on a glass-top desk, which required a very specific type of rubber washer to prevent cracking – a detail the basic mount kit didn’t cover. That was an adventure.
My Opinion: Always Be Prepared
Look, I’ve learned the hard way. When I’m buying a new monitor mount, whether it’s a single arm, a dual setup, or even a gas-spring model that costs north of $100, I budget an extra $10-$15 for a universal VESA screw kit. It’s a small price to pay to avoid the frustration of a half-finished setup and a potentially damaged monitor. It’s like carrying a spare tire for your car; you hope you never need it, but you’re damn glad it’s there when you do.
Honestly, the advice you see everywhere about just using what’s included? It’s often incomplete. It works for maybe 70% of people with standard monitors and standard desk setups. But if you’re in that other 30%, you’re going to be stuck. The cost of a generic screw kit is so low, it’s frankly a no-brainer. It’s far better than staring at a pile of parts and an unusable monitor.
Do Monitor Mounts Come with Screws for the Monitor?
Yes, most monitor mounts come with VESA screws designed to attach your monitor to the mount. However, these screws come in standard sizes and lengths (e.g., M4, M5, M6 diameters and various lengths). Your specific monitor might require a different size or length than what’s provided, especially if it has a recessed VESA mount or is an ultra-thin model. It’s always wise to check your monitor’s manual and be prepared to buy a separate VESA screw kit.
What Size Screws Do Monitor Mounts Use?
Monitor mounts typically use metric VESA screws, most commonly M4, M5, and M6 diameters. The length of these screws can vary significantly, from 8mm up to 20mm or more, to accommodate different monitor thicknesses and designs. Some mounts also include plastic spacers, which can be used with longer screws or to help align the mount with the VESA holes.
What If the Screws That Come with My Monitor Mount Are Too Short?
If the included screws are too short, it means they aren’t engaging enough threads on your monitor’s VESA mount for a secure connection. This is a common issue with recessed VESA mounting points. Your best solution is to purchase a universal VESA screw kit online or from an electronics store, which will offer a wider variety of screw lengths. You might also be able to use the provided spacers with the existing screws if they are just slightly too long and you need to add a bit of depth. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )
Do I Need to Buy Extra Screws for a Monitor Mount?
While many monitor mounts include a good selection of VESA screws, it’s highly recommended to have a universal VESA screw kit on hand. This is because monitor designs vary, and the included screws might not be the perfect fit for your specific monitor. Having a kit with various sizes and lengths ensures you can securely mount your display without risking damage or having to make an emergency trip to the store.
The Bottom Line on Monitor Mount Screws
So, to directly answer the question that brought you here: do monitor mounts come with screws? Yes, they typically include hardware for attaching the monitor. But the real value is in knowing that this included hardware might not be the *right* hardware for your specific setup. I’ve personally wasted hours and a good chunk of change because I assumed the screws in the box would be sufficient. It’s a gamble that rarely pays off if you’re not prepared.
My advice? If you’re buying a new mount, make the $10-$15 investment in a quality VESA screw kit at the same time. It’s cheap insurance against a frustrating installation day and ensures your monitor is mounted securely, which is, you know, the whole point. Don’t let a few millimeters of metal turn your upgrade into a headache.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of do monitor mounts come with screws isn’t a simple yes or no. They usually come with *some* screws, but whether those are the *correct* screws for your specific monitor is the gamble.
My experience, and I’ve seen it happen to friends too, is that it’s always better to be over-prepared. That little extra step of buying a universal VESA screw kit before you even open the mount box has saved me more times than I can count. It’s a small bit of foresight that prevents a much bigger headache.
Before you even unbox your new mount, quickly check your monitor’s manual for the required VESA screw size and length. Knowing what you need *before* you start is key. It’s not about doubting the manufacturer; it’s about acknowledging the vast diversity of electronic hardware out there.
If you’re looking to buy a new mount, I’d suggest factoring in the cost of a good VESA screw kit right alongside the mount itself. It’s a tiny expense for significant peace of mind and a smooth setup experience.
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