Why does my projector only show my desktop background and not the desktop icons?

Solution 1:

Your laptop is probably set to extend your desktop onto the projector instead of duplicating it. If you're using Windows, follow this guide from Microsoft for how to cycle through the different projector options, or press Windows + P and select Duplicate.

You should see four options that look like this:

In Extend mode, you should be able to drag icons or programs back and forth between your laptop's desktop and the projector. In Duplicate mode, your icons, open programs, etc. should show up on both the laptop and the projector.

Solution 2:

Right Clik on the laptop Desktop -> choose Display Properties -> Then you can see a dropdown -> choose Duplicate displayes.

Curently your projector is connected in Extended mode.