How To Switch Inputs On Asus Monitor: My Blunder

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Seriously, this whole thing started because I bought a second Asus monitor. Thought I was upgrading my setup, right? Turns out, I spent an entire weekend staring at a black screen, convinced I’d fried something expensive. This wasn’t some fancy new gaming rig; it was a basic productivity setup for my home office. When you need to switch inputs on an Asus monitor, and you’ve got two identical screens staring back at you, it can feel like a conspiracy.

I’d seen countless articles that just gloss over it, or worse, show you a generic diagram that doesn’t quite match your model. It’s infuriating when you’re in the thick of it, and the simple act of figuring out how to switch inputs on an Asus monitor feels like cracking the Da Vinci Code.

So, let’s cut the fluff. You clicked here because you’re probably stuck too. Maybe you’ve just plugged in a new device, or you’re trying to swap between your work laptop and your personal PC. Whatever the reason, here’s the no-nonsense breakdown.

The Dreaded Button Hunt

You’ve got your shiny new monitor, probably plugged in your HDMI or DisplayPort cable, and then… nothing. Or worse, it’s showing the wrong input and you can’t figure out why. The first thing everyone dives for is the buttons. On most Asus monitors, they’re not exactly obvious. Some are on the bottom edge, some are on the back, and if you’ve got a stand that swivels a lot, good luck finding them without contorting yourself like a circus performer.

Honestly, I once spent about three hours trying to find the right button on an older Asus model. I’d already tried all the obvious ones: power, menu, up, down. Nothing. I was about to call tech support, feeling like a total idiot, when I accidentally leaned on the side of the bezel. Boom. A tiny little joystick-like button popped out. A JOYSTICK. Who puts a joystick for input selection? It felt like a poorly designed scavenger hunt. That’s when I realized that just knowing ‘how to switch inputs on Asus monitor’ isn’t enough; you need to know *where* the darn controls are.

Your Monitor’s Secret Language: Buttons vs. Joysticks

Asus, bless their tech-loving hearts, likes to mix things up. You’ll find anywhere from two to five physical buttons, or sometimes a single, multi-directional joystick. Don’t expect consistency across their product lines. For instance, my current Asus ProArt display has a neat little joystick on the back, right near the power port. It’s intuitive once you find it, but finding it the first time is the challenge. Older models, or even some budget ones, might have a row of tiny, identical buttons on the underside. These are the worst. You end up pressing the wrong one about seven out of ten times, cycling through brightness settings when you just want to see your PC.

The key is to identify what type of control your specific Asus monitor uses. Look for a small, often red, joystick-like nub, or a cluster of subtle buttons. Sometimes they have tiny icons next to them, but often they’re just smooth plastic. It’s like trying to read hieroglyphics sometimes.

One bit of advice everyone gives is to check the manual. And yes, that’s technically correct. But who *actually* keeps the manual for their monitor? I certainly don’t. My apartment is already a graveyard of discarded manuals for every gadget I’ve ever owned. I swear, I’ve spent around $150 over the years on cables and adapters just because I couldn’t find the right manual to tell me which port was which. So, let’s try to avoid that.

Finding the Controls

Bottom Edge: Many Asus monitors have their controls tucked away here. You might need to feel around. Press gently, and see if anything pops out or responds. It’s often a cluster of 3-5 small buttons. (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )

Back Panel: This is where the joystick is common. Look for a small, nubby control, usually towards the bottom or side of the rear casing.

Side Panel: Less common, but some might have buttons or a joystick located on the side of the monitor frame.

Common Asus Control Types

The Joystick: This is often the easiest. A quick flick up/down/left/right usually brings up a menu. Pressing it in might select an option. Think of it like navigating a retro video game menu.

The Button Cluster: You’ll see multiple small buttons. One is usually the ‘power’ or ‘menu’ button. Others will be for navigation (up/down) and selection. Sometimes, the ‘input’ function is a dedicated button, other times it’s buried in the main menu.

Navigating the on-Screen Display (osd)

Once you’ve located the physical controls, the next hurdle is the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. This is the graphical interface that pops up on your screen when you press a button. It’s your control panel for everything from brightness and contrast to input selection.

For joystick controls: Typically, pushing the joystick in brings up the main menu. Then, you’ll use the directional movements to highlight ‘Input Select’ or ‘Source’. Push the joystick in again to select it. Now, you’ll see a list of available inputs (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, DisplayPort, etc.). Use the directional movements to highlight the input you want and push the joystick in to confirm.

For button clusters: This is where it gets fiddly. You’ll likely press a ‘Menu’ button first. Then, you’ll use ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons to scroll through menu options until you find ‘Input Select’ or ‘Source’. Press the ‘Enter’ or ‘Select’ button to access that option. Then, use ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ again to choose your desired input and press ‘Enter’ or ‘Select’ to confirm. Sometimes, one of the buttons *is* the dedicated input button. You’ll have to press it and see what happens. This is where that personal failure story comes in: I bought an Asus monitor specifically for video editing. It looked gorgeous, but switching between my editing PC and my console was a nightmare because the OSD was clunky. I felt like I was playing a game of ‘Simon Says’ with the monitor every time I wanted to change inputs, and it took me a good minute each time. My colleague, who uses a different brand, can swap inputs with two quick taps. It’s like comparing a bicycle to a sports car.

Pro Tip: If you’re confused by the OSD, try pressing the ‘Exit’ or ‘Menu’ button again to back out of a menu. It’s not always intuitive, but generally, one of the buttons will act as a ‘back’ function. (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )

The OSD interface itself can vary. Some are clean and modern, others look like they were designed in 1998. But the core function – selecting your input source – remains the same. Don’t get bogged down in every setting; focus on finding that ‘Input Select’ or ‘Source’ option. It’s the main reason you’re interacting with the OSD right now.

The Quickest Method: Dedicated Input Buttons

If you’re lucky, your Asus monitor will have a dedicated input button. This is the holy grail. It’s usually marked with a symbol that looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it, or simply ‘Input’ or ‘Source’. Pressing this button often cycles through your available inputs sequentially. Press it once for the next input, press it again for the one after that, and so on. This is infinitely faster than digging through menus.

I’ve seen this on a few Asus models, and it’s a lifesaver. If your monitor has one, use it. It’s the simplest way to switch inputs on an Asus monitor. No digging, no confusing menus, just a direct path to seeing what you want on your screen.

Contrarian opinion incoming: Everyone tells you to read the manual. I disagree. For something as basic as switching inputs, you shouldn’t *need* to read a 100-page PDF. A good product design makes these core functions immediately accessible. If you’re digging through manuals for basic operations, the product’s user experience is failing you. The fact that a dedicated input button is considered a ‘luxury’ on some monitors is frankly ridiculous.

The trick is to identify this button quickly. Sometimes it’s labeled, sometimes it’s just a symbol. Feel around the edges of your monitor. You might find it hiding in plain sight. This method is so fast, it almost feels like cheating compared to menu diving.

When All Else Fails: The Software Solution

Okay, so you’ve tried the buttons, you’ve poked the joystick, you’ve even squinted at the OSD menu and it still looks like alien calligraphy. What now? For some Asus monitors, there’s a software component. Asus provides utilities, often called something like ‘DisplayWidget’ or similar, that you can install on your computer. This software can sometimes allow you to control certain monitor settings, including input selection, directly from your desktop.

This is particularly useful if your monitor’s physical controls are difficult to access or if you simply prefer a digital interface. You’ll need to visit the Asus support website for your specific monitor model, download the correct utility, and install it. It’s not a universal solution, as not all Asus monitors have this software support, but it’s worth checking if you’re struggling.

I tested this feature on a friend’s Asus monitor, and it worked surprisingly well. Instead of reaching behind the screen, I just clicked an icon in the system tray. It felt futuristic, honestly. The software reported that it was communicating with the monitor over the display cable itself – a neat trick. This can be especially handy if you have a KVM switch or are trying to manage multiple inputs across several monitors and want a central point of control. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )

According to a general guideline published by the User Experience Professionals’ Association (UXPA), intuitive navigation and readily accessible core functions are paramount for user satisfaction. A dedicated input button or easily discoverable software control directly addresses this principle, making the user’s interaction feel less like a chore and more like an effortless command. This principle applies universally, not just to monitors.

Troubleshooting Common Input Issues

Sometimes, even if you know how to switch inputs on an Asus monitor, the input itself won’t work. This is frustrating. Here are a few common culprits:

Wrong Cable: Ensure you’re using the correct cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA) for the port on both the monitor and your device. Using a DVI cable in an HDMI port, for example, won’t work without an adapter, and even then, you might lose audio or resolution.
Device Output: Make sure your source device (PC, console, Blu-ray player) is actually set to output to that specific port. Sometimes, you have to enable output on the device itself.
Faulty Port/Cable: Cables can go bad, and ports can get damaged. Try a different cable and a different port on both the monitor and the device if possible. I once spent two days convinced my new monitor was broken, only to find out the HDMI cable I was using had a bent pin. Embarrassing, and cost me a good chunk of a Saturday.
Monitor Drivers (Less Common): While not directly related to input switching, sometimes outdated or corrupted monitor drivers on your PC can cause display recognition issues, which might indirectly affect how inputs are handled.

How Do I Change the Input on My Asus Monitor Without Buttons?

If your Asus monitor has no physical buttons or they are inaccessible, you’ll likely need to rely on software. Asus often provides a utility program called ‘DisplayWidget’ or similar for specific models. You’ll need to download this from the Asus support website for your exact monitor model, install it on your computer, and then use the software interface to select your desired input source. Some newer monitors might also support control via USB-C if connected that way, allowing your computer to send commands.

How Do I Switch From HDMI to Displayport on Asus Monitor?

To switch from HDMI to DisplayPort on an Asus monitor, you first need to locate the monitor’s physical controls – usually buttons or a joystick on the back or bottom edge. Press the ‘Menu’ or ‘Input Select’ button. Navigate the on-screen display (OSD) menu to find the ‘Source’ or ‘Input Select’ option. Highlight ‘DisplayPort’ from the list of available inputs and confirm your selection. If your monitor has a dedicated input cycle button, simply press it repeatedly until DisplayPort is selected.

Why Is My Asus Monitor Not Detecting Input?

If your Asus monitor is not detecting an input, first check that the display cable is securely connected at both ends and that you are using the correct cable type for the ports. Try a different cable and a different port on both the monitor and your source device. Ensure your source device (like a PC or game console) is powered on and configured to output video through the connected port. Sometimes, a simple monitor power cycle (unplugging it for 30 seconds) can resolve temporary glitches. If the issue persists, consult your monitor’s manual or Asus support for model-specific troubleshooting steps.

Putting It All Together: A Quick Reference Table

Method	How It Works	Ease of Use (My Opinion)	When to Use
Dedicated Input Button	Press button to cycle through inputs.	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (5/5) – Effortless.	Always, if available. The fastest.
Joystick Control	Navigate OSD menu with joystick to select source.	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) – Intuitive once found.	Most common on newer Asus monitors.
Button Cluster	Use multiple buttons to navigate OSD menu.	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) – Can be clunky and slow.	Found on older or budget models. Requires patience.
Software Control (e.g., DisplayWidget)	Control inputs from your PC desktop.	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) – Convenient if software is good.	When physical buttons are hard to reach or you prefer digital.
No Physical Controls / Software Not Available	Hope and pray. Or check obscure ports.	⭐ (1/5) – The worst-case scenario.	Only if your monitor is truly designed without user input options. (Rare and annoying.)

Understanding how to switch inputs on an Asus monitor isn’t just about following a manual; it’s about knowing the quirks of your specific device and the brand’s general approach. I’ve seen enough of their monitors to know that what works for one might not work for another. That’s why brute-force testing and a bit of trial-and-error (and frankly, a lot of frustration) is often the real teacher here.

Final Verdict

So there you have it. Figuring out how to switch inputs on an Asus monitor often feels more complicated than it needs to be, but it’s usually just a matter of finding the right button or navigating a slightly confusing menu. Don’t be like me and spend an entire weekend convinced you’ve broken something expensive when all you needed was to find that hidden joystick.

If you’re still stuck, double-check the model number on the back of your monitor and do a quick search on the Asus support site. They often have specific diagrams or downloadable manuals that can be a lifesaver, even if I’m usually too impatient to read them.

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Ultimately, the simplest method remains the dedicated input button if your monitor is blessed with one. If not, the joystick is usually the next best thing. Just remember to cycle through systematically, and don’t be afraid to press things gently and see what happens – within reason, of course.