To connect a laptop to an external monitor, here are some steps you can take:

1. confirm your laptop has the correct ports to connect an external monitor, such as HDMI or DisplayPort
2. purchase the correct cables to connect to your laptop’s ports
3. connect the cables from your monitor to the laptop’s ports
4. if available, click the appropriate function keys on your laptop to toggle the display to the external monitor or check display settings
5. restart your laptop to ensure the connection has been made and is working correctly