How to Daisy Chain Monitors for a Multi-Display Setup

Daisy chaining means connecting multiple monitors in a series using one video cable from one monitor to another monitor, rather than connecting each monitor directly to the computer. With DisplayPort or Thunderbolt daisy chaining, you can enjoy the flexibility of having multiple displays while keeping cables to a minimum. You can duplicate or extend the monitors dedicated to a different task or application.

How to daisy chain two or more monitors to your computer

There are two types of ports that allow you to daisy chain monitors - DisplayPort with Multi-Stream Transport (MST), and Thunderbolt Multi-Stream Transport (MST).

NOTE: Daisy chaining is not supported over HDMI or using a standard USB-C port that does not support Thunderbolt 3 or higher.

What do I need to daisy chain multiple Dell monitors?

• A PC with DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher) or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher).
• Dell monitors with DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher with Multi-Stream Transport) or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher).
  NOTE: DisplayPort 1.2 MST is supported on select Dell monitors. See the documentation of your Dell monitor to identify if your monitor supports DisplayPort 1.2 MST or Thunderbolt version 3 or higher.
• Install the latest video or graphics card (GPU) drivers on your computer.

How to daisy chain monitors using DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?

For daisy chain connections using DisplayPort, all your devices must support DisplayPort 1.2 or higher and Multi-Stream Transport (MST). Ensure that the DisplayPort cables support Multi-Stream Transport.

1. Connect the computer to the DisplayPort In port on monitor 1.
2. Connect the DisplayPort Out on monitor 1 to DisplayPort In on monitor 2.
3. Repeat step 3 for any subsequent monitors.
4. Disable the DisplayPort 1.2 mode on the last monitor in the chain.

NOTE: Daisy chain is supported through USB-C port with DP Alternate Mode. Connect a USB-C cable from the computer to the monitor 1 and then connect the subsequent monitors using a DisplayPort cable in the chain.

NOTE: On some older Dell monitors, enable MST feature to set up the monitor in a daisy chain. See the documentation of your Dell monitor to learn more.

How to daisy chain monitors using Thunderbolt Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?

To daisy chain monitors using Thunderbolt MST, the Thunderbolt port on all your devices must be version 3 or higher, and all connections require Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 certified cables.

1. Connect the Thunderbolt Out on your computer to Thunderbolt In on monitor 1.
2. Connect the Thunderbolt Out on monitor 1 to Thunderbolt In on monitor 2.

NOTE: Dell monitors such as UP2720Q and UP3221Q support a maximum of two monitors in the daisy chain using Thunderbolt MST.

Frequently asked questions

Let us help you with some frequently asked questions on daisy chaining Dell monitors.

How many monitors can I daisy chain together using DisplayPort MST?

• Display technologies such as DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, USB-C with DP Alternate Mode each support different video bandwidth. The number of monitors supported in the chain may vary with different types of connection.
• The video card or GPU of your computer can only output so many pixels, the number of monitors that you can daisy chain is limited. This limit depends on the screen resolution, timing, and refresh rate of the connected monitors. See the table below for some basic configuration options using DisplayPort MST.
  
  

  Display resolution	Number of monitors supported in the chain
  4096 x 2160 (4K x 2K)	1
  3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD, 4K)	1
  2560 x 1600	2
  1920 x 1080	4
  1680 x 1050	5

How do I configure the monitors in extended mode?

• Extended display mode requires that DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport (MST) capabilities be enabled. By default, this feature is not enabled on Dell monitors. After you enable MST on your monitor, you can set your display to Extended Mode in Windows. Learn how to Set up Multiple Monitors in Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Should the last monitor in the chain support DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?

• No, the last monitor in the chain can does not need to support DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport (MST).

Can you daisy chain two or more monitors with HDMI?

• No, daisy chain setup is not supported over HDMI.
• Daisy chain setup is supported over DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher with Multi-Stream Transport), or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher).

Can you daisy chain two monitors with USB-C?

• Daisy chain is supported only if the USB-C port on your computer supports DisplayPort (DP) Alternate Mode.
• To set up the monitors in a daisy chain using USB-C:
  1. Connect a USB-C cable from your computer to monitor 1.
  2. Connect the DisplayPort Out on monitor 1 to DisplayPort In on monitor 2.

Can I daisy chain multiple monitors to my laptop?

• Yes, you can connect multiple monitors to your laptop using daisy chain.
• Ensure that your laptop has a DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher) or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher) output port.

Can I daisy chain multiple monitors to my desktop?

• Yes, you can connect multiple monitors to your desktop using daisy chain.
• Ensure that your desktop has a DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher), or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher) output port.

Can I connect a MacBook to Dell monitors using daisy chain?

• MacBook computers only support daisy chaining over Thunderbolt. Daisy chaining is not supported over HDMI.
• You can only connect a single external display to a Mac device with the M1 or M2 chips. For more information about connecting different models of Mac devices to external displays, go to the Apple website.

Will daisy chaining provide power to the monitors?

• No, DisplayPort cannot provide power. You must provide a separate power cable to each monitor.

Why is my daisy chain set up not working?

• Here are a few things that you must check first.
  • Ensure your monitors support Multi-Stream Transport (MST). Older monitors do not always support MST, and your monitor may not be compatible with daisy chaining.
  • Ensure you are using high-quality cables. Daisy chaining is only supported on DisplayPort (version 1.2 or higher with MST) or Thunderbolt (version 3 or higher). HDMI does not support daisy chaining.
  • Update the video or graphics drivers on your PC. Out-of-date or corrupt video drivers may cause display issues.
  • Using too many monitors in the chain might cause display issues. Some PCs only support up to two or three monitors. If you are using your laptop screen and two monitors, connecting a third monitor in the series might put you over the limit. Disconnect one of the monitors or disable the laptop screen to get the third monitor working properly.