2 Monitors Detected, but only 1 displaying picture

oldsodacan · 01-26-2022, 04:38 AM

I'm on a 2020 MacBook Air. I've got 2 monitors connected via my Plugable dock via HDMI and I can see both monitors are detected when I'm in display preferences and DisplayLink preferences. Both monitors also have a blue light, indicating they're connected.

However, monitor 2 will only display a picture when it is set to mirror monitor 1. Both monitors are the same model (acer XF251Q).

In the screen layout in display settings, monitor 2 is represented as much smaller than monitor 1, but I have not yet found anything I can change to fix that and make the monitor image visible.

Even if I unplug monitor 1, monitor 2 still just a black screen while being detected. Problem persists even if I swap the HDMI ports.

Mirroring monitor 1 on to monitor 2 is currently the only way to get picture.

rboerner · 01-26-2022, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsodacan

I'm on a 2020 MacBook Air. I've got 2 monitors connected via my Plugable dock via HDMI and I can see both monitors are detected when I'm in display preferences and DisplayLink preferences. Both monitors also have a blue light, indicating they're connected.

However, monitor 2 will only display a picture when it is set to mirror monitor 1. Both monitors are the same model (acer XF251Q).

In the screen layout in display settings, monitor 2 is represented as much smaller than monitor 1, but I have not yet found anything I can change to fix that and make the monitor image visible.

Even if I unplug monitor 1, monitor 2 still just a black screen while being detected. Problem persists even if I swap the HDMI ports.

Mirroring monitor 1 on to monitor 2 is currently the only way to get picture.

Based solely on your description, I would suggest replacing the HDMI video cable being used with the affected display in order to rule out the HDMI video cable as a contributor.

oldsodacan · 01-26-2022, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rboerner

Based solely on your description, I would suggest replacing the HDMI video cable being used with the affected display in order to rule out the HDMI video cable as a contributor.

I tried multiple cables. Same cables work successfully in mirror mode and on a separate make/model monitor I brought in to try. I feel like this has something to do with the 2 monitors being the same model.

oldsodacan · 01-28-2022, 12:00 PM

I have now purchased a displayport to hdmi cable and the same problem is still happening.

When it’s not mirroring another monitor, Graphics/Displays in Software Info list it as 768x1024.

When it is mirror the MacBook and displays an image, Graphics/Displays in system info list it as 2880x1800 with a UI that looks like 1440x900.

tysonnero · 04-08-2022, 09:30 PM

I've confirmed this is an issue with newer versions of DisplayLink and M1 Macbooks.

Two options:
- Downgrade to DisplayLink 1.5
- Switch your monitor to a 30hz refresh rate

SqueakyNinja · 04-14-2022, 05:45 AM

Does anyone have any more options if none of the above works for the same problem?
I can't change the refresh rate of my monitors, and none of the legacy releases works either

( tried all of the alternatives back to 1.4 which isn't officially supported by OS Monterey.)

01-26-2022, 04:38 AM	#1
oldsodacan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 3	2 Monitors Detected, but only 1 displaying picture I'm on a 2020 MacBook Air. I've got 2 monitors connected via my Plugable dock via HDMI and I can see both monitors are detected when I'm in display preferences and DisplayLink preferences. Both monitors also have a blue light, indicating they're connected. However, monitor 2 will only display a picture when it is set to mirror monitor 1. Both monitors are the same model (acer XF251Q). In the screen layout in display settings, monitor 2 is represented as much smaller than monitor 1, but I have not yet found anything I can change to fix that and make the monitor image visible. Even if I unplug monitor 1, monitor 2 still just a black screen while being detected. Problem persists even if I swap the HDMI ports. Mirroring monitor 1 on to monitor 2 is currently the only way to get picture.

01-28-2022, 12:00 PM	#4
oldsodacan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 3	I have now purchased a displayport to hdmi cable and the same problem is still happening. When it’s not mirroring another monitor, Graphics/Displays in Software Info list it as 768x1024. When it is mirror the MacBook and displays an image, Graphics/Displays in system info list it as 2880x1800 with a UI that looks like 1440x900.

04-08-2022, 09:30 PM	#5
tysonnero Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 2	I've confirmed this is an issue with newer versions of DisplayLink and M1 Macbooks. Two options: - Downgrade to DisplayLink 1.5 - Switch your monitor to a 30hz refresh rate

04-14-2022, 05:45 AM	#6
SqueakyNinja Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 2	Does anyone have any more options if none of the above works for the same problem? I can't change the refresh rate of my monitors, and none of the legacy releases works either ( tried all of the alternatives back to 1.4 which isn't officially supported by OS Monterey.)