Laptop cant connect to external monitor via USB-C hub

Question

I have a Dell XPS 13 9360 and i'm wanting to connect my laptop to an external monitor via a Dell USB-C hub which then connects to the monitor via VGA. When i insert the hub i'm displayed with "PC isn't charging, use compatible charging methods". I am not charging my laptop via USB-C i am wanting to connect my laptop to my external monitor. When i insert the hub, no drivers are updated in device manager, i have rebuilt the laptop twice on windows 10, updated the BIOS, ran diagnostics via BIOS all passed, ran support assist and everything is up to date. I have tried multiple connections via the hub like Display Port and HDMI and still displayed with PC not charging and i have also tried different hubs which all display the same error. Am i missing something? Could someone please help!

Many thanks

Blackswordsman13 · Answer

This worked for me Hi, hope it fixes your issue, I had this issue yesterday with my Dell Precision 5540 and Dell U3219Q monitor after a power outage where the display was previously working via the USB-C suddenly stopped. I tried searching the net but didn't find a solution and opted to use the HDMI port which worked, I also tested the USBC with my iPad Pro which worked perfectly. Today while I got it to work though so I wanted to share my solution that I found by chance: Connect another display OR two of the Monitor inputs eg, the USBC and the HDMI. Right click on desktop and Open 'Dell Display Manager' (install it if you don't already have it) It will display the summarized version, At the bottom click on 'Open Dell Display Manager' On the Basic Tab, right at the bottom mine showed a tick box that said something like 'Enable display matrix control' NOTE: My USBC was connected as well as the HDMI on the laptop at the time. I've tested it and this option only appears on the 'Basic' tab if 'Dell Display Manager' thinks that there is more than one external monitor. I connected both display outputs on the laptop to the same monitor which fooled 'Display Manager' into thinking I had 3 displays, the laptop display a USBC display and an HDMI display. Found this totally by chance because I had the HDMI connected for the display and I was still using the USBC from the monitor to my laptop because the keyboard is connected to the monitor and then via the usbc to the laptop because when it was working I just had a single usbc cable to connect to my laptop for both display and keyboard. Hope this helps someone. Hopefully Dell also sees this and figures out why or updates the app the show the 'Enable display Matrix' always. Dell P2419HC Dell Display Manager User’s Guide

Brad L (retired) · Answer

Helpful Video:

lafeier · Answer

Same problem here although I don't even get an error message. Tried several docks, cables, and monitors, nothing works. On my system, Linux Mint can handle my second screen, so I suppose it's a driver problem since I got this malfunction after a windows update.

The German community didn't even try to help me because I have no warranty anymore, they just said I have to call the service hotline...

Tell me when you found a fix

JonSirrine · Answer

I have the same issue with a different laptop.

I have the HP Laptop 15-dw0xxx which has one hdmi port that I use for my first external monitor. I bought the QGeeM USB C to HDMI Adapter 4K to use for the second monitor.

With the monitor turned on, I plug in the hdmi and I see it try to scan for a signal before saying, "No HDMI signal from you device". It doesn't work either if I switch monitors. Even if I try one at a time.

I've updated all the drivers for the USB device, and still nothing.

I've read that the usb-c needs to have alt mode to carry non usb signals
This could be the issue.

https://blog.startech.com/post/tech-talk-using-usb-c-and-displayport-over-alt-mode/

jphughan · Answer

@leonna001 what specific Dell hub model are you trying to use? Have you tested that hub with another system, or tested the system's USB-C port with some other display output mechanism, such as a simple USB-C to DisplayPort/HDMI/VGA cable? It would be helpful to isolate those variables to identify whether the culprit is the hub or the system itself.

@JonSirrine it's true that not all USB-C ports support DisplayPort Alt Mode, but the XPS 13 models do because they support Thunderbolt 3, and support for DP Alt Mode is mandatory on Thunderbolt 3 ports.

gdickens · Answer

Same problem. External monitor works on Linux mint fine. Have tried updating drivers, clean windows install, changing cables etc. The external monitor just won't work in Windows 10 no matter what I do.

Has never been a problem before using the same laptop and USB-C hub.

Dell support flatly refused to help when posting the problem as it's not under warranty.

scruff · Answer

Yes me too.

I am trying to connect my Dell Latitude 5410 laptop (brand new from work) to an external monitor. But not via my USB-c port as I need that for the charger. Instead I have a standard USB connector (to VGA on monitor). Nothing happens.

Come on Dell, loads of people, same problem.

Wish I could use my Macbook Pro for work

jphughan · Answer

@scruff  If you're using a USB-A 'regular USB' adapter rather than USB-C, then this is pretty off-topic for this thread.  USB-C ports can optionally have a native GPU output wired to them, which is how they handle video output.  USB-A ports do not support this, and therefore video output dongles that use USB-A have to rely on 'indirect display' technology such as DisplayLink -- not to be confused with DisplayPort.  Those solutions in turn rely on drivers being installed on the system because the system will have to convert the indirect display content to regular USB data that can actually be carried over USB-A.  Do you have that software installed on your system?Also, there are many USB-C adapters that offer video output and USB-C power passthrough.

gdickens · Answer

In response to Dell's response I no longer own a Dell, but I did find a solution to this for my XPS and it was to download the Intel HD graphics app and tweak the settings until it worked. Once I got the refresh rate and resolution right it worked.

This was a fresh install of windows so I'm not sure why it didn't work by default, but this solved it for me.

CJ-Tech · Answer

That solved it for me. Thanks for the suggestion! I would not have thought of that.

DRenato · Answer

Hi, just sign in to say really thanks for your help. It was driving crazy. Looks like simple...but...Now all works 100%Best Regards from Brazil

XPS

Laptop cant connect to external monitor via USB-C hub

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