How to Install a Monitor Arm

In today’s digital workplace, long hours spent staring at screens, typing, and working in poor posture have made neck and eye strain increasingly common. A simple solution is to install a monitor arm on your existing fixed-height desk.

An adjustable monitor arm securely mounts your monitor or laptop and raises it to an ergonomic viewing height. Compared with basic monitor stands, monitor arms offer greater flexibility—allowing you to adjust height, depth, tilt, swivel, and even rotate the screen into portrait mode. Proper monitor positioning can significantly reduce neck and eye fatigue, improve posture, free up desk space, and create a cleaner, more efficient workspace.

Monitor Installation Options

Most monitor arms support multiple installation methods. Before installation, make sure your monitor is VESA compatible (typically 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm). VESA mounting holes are usually located on the back of the monitor and may be hidden behind the original stand.

Step 1: Choose Your Mounting Type

Freestanding Base

Place the base on your desk and secure it with screws. This option is easy to install and allows the monitor to be repositioned freely, but it occupies more desk space and offers less stability.

Desk Clamp Mount

Attach the clamp to the edge of your desk and tighten it securely. Clamp mounting offers an excellent balance between stability and space efficiency, without the need for drilling.

Grommet Mount

Install the arm through a pre-drilled hole or an existing cable grommet in the desk. This semi-permanent solution provides enhanced stability and supports heavier or multi-monitor setups.

Wall Mount

Wall-mounted arms save the most desk space and offer maximum stability, but installation requires locating wall studs and drilling. This option is less flexible and not suitable for all environments.

Step 2: Attach the Arm to the Mounting Pole

Slide the arm onto the mounting pole and secure it using screws or a locking knob. Adjust the arm to your preferred height.

Step 3: Attach the VESA Plate to the Monitor

Select the correct VESA plate size (75 mm or 100 mm). Attach the plate to the back of the monitor with the provided screws, ensuring the cutout faces upward.

Step 4: Mount the Monitor onto the Arm

Hang the monitor onto the arm. For quick-release models, push the monitor until it clicks into place. Secure with screws if required.

Cable Management & Adjustments

• Route monitor and power cables through the built-in cable clips

• Adjust joint friction if needed

• Balance the monitor weight using the tension screw
  (The monitor should not exceed 20 lbs and should stay in position without drifting up or down.) 

Choosing the Right Setup

Each mounting method offers different advantages. Choose the option that best fits your desk space, workflow, and monitor size. Always ensure your monitor’s weight and dimensions are compatible with the selected arm.

Learn More About Monitor Arms

As a professional monitor arm manufacturer and supplier, AOKE has been delivering ergonomic workspace solutions worldwide since 2012, helping create healthier and more comfortable office and home environments.

To learn more about our premium monitor arms and related products, please visit our website or follow us on social media.