# Raspberry Pi Zero with VGA screens

**URL:** https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Created:** [14 May 2021 02:29 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175 "2021-05-14T02:29:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Stephen107990](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@Stephen107990](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen107990)
#### Post date: [14 May 2021 02:29 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175/1 "2021-05-14T02:29:38Z")

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I’m having issues getting any Raspberry Pi Zero to display on a VGA screen. I’m using a HDMI to VGA adaptor (the standard black non-powered one). The Pi0 works with any HDMI screen I test it on. The VGA screen and adaptor works with any other device I connect to it, including other Raspberry Pi 3 but not with the Pi0. Is it just not compatible or is there something I’m not doing right?

Please help.

Steve

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### Author: ![Liam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/liam/32/3562_2.png) [@Liam](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Liam)
#### Post date: [14 May 2021 03:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175/2 "2021-05-14T03:27:46Z")

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Hey Steve,

Most of the non-powered adapters actually require some through the HDMI cable itself. I would say that this particular adapter isn’t able to draw enough to get the converter chip running.

Looking at the schematics of the [Pi 3B+](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/schematics/rpi_SCH_3bplus_1p0_reduced.pdf) and the [Zero W](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/schematics/rpi_SCH_Zero_1p3_reduced.pdf) should shed some light.

Liam.

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### Author: ![Ryan129278](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ryan129278](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Ryan129278)
#### Post date: [14 May 2021 03:36 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175/3 "2021-05-14T03:36:54Z")

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It might just be the Pi is defaulting to a mode your screen isn’t compatible with. If you can, test it with other monitors to confirm it’s not specific to that one screen.

You can also try activating safe mode by uncommenting `hdmi_safe=1` in /boot/config.txt

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### Author: ![Stephen86871](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@Stephen86871](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen86871)
#### Post date: [27 March 2025 22:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175/4 "2025-03-27T22:27:28Z")

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This was the solution - thank you Ryan!

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### Author: ![Dan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/dan/32/10815_2.png) [@Dan](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Dan)
#### Post date: [27 March 2025 23:52 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/raspberry-pi-zero-with-vga-screens/10175/5 "2025-03-27T23:52:35Z")

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Hi @Stephen86871

Great to hear that you got it sorted!
