docking station and monitors

@Jess GS  It would help to know the exact dock model you have, which should be on a label probably on the underside of the dock. But if it’s a USB 3.0 dock, you probably need to install the DisplayLink software, and I’d suggest getting the latest version from DisplayLink.com. If that doesn’t fix it, please reply back with your exact dock model and also some details about the displays you’re using or the exact types of cables/adapters you’re using. For example, you say you’re using the HDMI output. Are you using a regular HDMI cable or something like a DisplayPort to HDMI cable? And the other connector you mentioned might be DisplayPort or VGA. And there again, knowing what cables/adapters you’re working with would be useful, since not all cable setups that physically fit into connectors on each end are actually valid.

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Hi. Thank you. That didn't help or change anything. I have a D3100

I have one HDMI Cable that has a VGA to HDMI and another model into a display port. The back of the docking station has both ports and the computer will recognize the HDMI display when plugged directly in but I absolutely can't get it to recognize either one on the docking station.

any suggestion you have or even a different docking station, would be greatly appreciated.

@Jess GS  Ok, the D3100 uses DisplayLink, so that software is needed for that dock. You’re sure you have the latest version obtained directly from DisplayLink.com? As for the cabling, I just want to make sure I understand what you have. It sounds like you have an HDMI to VGA cable that you’ve confirmed works properly when plugged into an HDMI output built into your system? And then I don’t know what “another model into a display port” means. If you can clarify the two exact types of cables you’re using, which end is plugged into which device if the connectors on each end are different, and which cables you’ve successfully tested with the laptop’s built-in HDMI port, that would be helpful. The dock itself should work, but there are potential pitfalls with both HDMI to VGA cables and HDMI to DisplayPort cables, if that is in fact what you’re using.

And actually there might be other cable options depending on the inputs available on the displays you’re using.

I know it’s a lot, but the more technical detail you can provide about your equipment and how you’ve got it set up, the more likely others will be able to help.

Hi there. So I think my issue is windows 11. I can plug one HDMI cable into my computer and it works and last night was able to get VGA 2 USB to work directly into the computer as well though the lag on it was terrible. I think I may need to revert to 10 and then it may work. Not entirely sure but that seems to be the end game here. 

I have an HP monitor and a view sonic (older version) the HP is using the HDMI and the VS is using the VGA to USB. 

the way i used to use it with a logitech was VGA to HDMI on VS and and comport (?) the other cable that has a P on it from the HP monitor. 

@Jess GS  USB video adapters can introduce quite a bit of lag because regular USB ports don't support native video output.  They have to use software to have the PC compress video and convert it to regular USB data, which the USB video adapter than has to decompress and send as a video signal.  And that compression can cause lag, reduced overall performance on your system, and reduced image quality.

When I asked about the available inputs on your displays, I didn't just mean to ask which inputs you were currently using.  I wanted to know which inputs they had.  For example, is HDMI the only input available on your HP display?  And is VGA the only option on the ViewSonic?  Or do they have other options?  Other options would be especially useful on the ViewSonic since VGA is going to look worse than any other option even when it works.  If you're not sure about the name of the connectors, you can post a photo or see if you can find the model of the display, printed on a label somewhere, which will usually allow looking up its specs.

COM ports are not used for video, so I'm not sure what you're referring to there.  The cable with a "P" is probably "DP", which would refer to DisplayPort.  So trying to piece this together, it sounds like you currently have a DisplayPort to HDMI cable for the HP display, with the DP side plugged into the dock and the HDMI side plugged into the display?  And then on the ViewSonic display you have a USB to VGA adapter with the VGA side connected to the display?  But in that case, when you say you're plugging an HDMI cable into your system, is that a third cable?  And if so what are you connecting it to?

It might be helpful if you could describe the setups you have or are testing like this, as an example:

System HDMI output <> HDMI to HDMI cable <> HP display HDMI input
Dock DisplayPort output <> DP to HDMI cable <> HP display HDMI input
System USB port <> USB to VGA cable <> ViewSonic display VGA input

Writing it like that makes it completely clear what cables/adapters you're using and exactly how everything is connected.

I have a Dell WD19S Dock and I want to display my laptop via the HDMI output to a thunderbolt input. Is this possible or should I just purchase a different cable?

Thanks.