M1 MacBook Air - no display signal with HP USB-C/A Universal Dockingstation G2

Question

Level 1

4 points

M1 MacBook Air - no display signal with HP USB-C/A Universal Dockingstation G2

Hi guys,

I just received my HP USB-C/A Universal Dockingstation G2. To it is connected a Dell S2721QS via the HDMI-Port.

My HP Elite X2, which I got for from my firm, works perfectly fine. Power over USB, the display, ethernet, the USB-A ports,... no troubles.

I would like to also use the dockingstation on my privately owned baseline M1 Macbook Air. Unfortunately, the display won't get a signal, albeit everything else (power over USB, ethernet etc.) working fine.

The manual of the dockingstation says that the HDMI-Port supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, so I would have assumed that a display conntected via the HDMI-port could be run without using the DisplayLink drivers.

Could anyone confirm that this is possible?

If so, what am I doing wrong that my display won't get a signal from my Macbook? Is there some settings option, that I am missing?

I would really appreciate if there is someone that could confirm that this setup is viable.

Some side notes:

- DisplayLink:

Now, I do realize that the G2 Dockingstation is equipped with DisplayLink and if I install the DisplayLink-driver on my Macbook, the display works. However, I have only one display connted, and there are some downsides to using DisplayLink (i.e. not being able to use Nightshift and certain resolution settings, drawing on CPU, lack of official support etc.). I would therefore really prefer not to use DisplayLink and instead the Display Port Alternate Mode capabilities of the dockingstation.

- Firmware:

Yes, I have updated the dockingstation to the latest firmware just yesterday, it did not change anything.

- Troubelshoot:

I already tried following these steps as well: Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support

- Other Docks/Dongles:

If I use my Satechi USB-C-dongle on my Macbook, the display works like a charm (according to the system preferences the Macbook is even outputting 5K@60Hz, although the Dell display only supports 4k).

Thank you.

Posted on May 30, 2022 5:16 AM

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Answer 1

genieen16

Community Specialist

May 31, 2022 7:25 AM in response to ScompX

Hello ScompX,

It looks like you're on the right track with the following steps from the Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support link.

To clarify, how exactly is the MacBook Air connected to the display? What actual cables and adapters are you using when connecting to the MacBook Air?

- On iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air, and 13-inch MacBook Pro, you can connect one external display using either of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. On iMac, connect your display to either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .

- On Mac mini, you can connect a second display to the HDMI port.

- Using docks or daisy-chaining devices doesn't increase the number of displays you can connect.

If you're not sure which port to use with your external display, check out this guide: Identify the ports on your Mac - Apple Support. If you use an adapter, make sure it is the correct adapter for this connection: Adapters for the Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port on your Mac - Apple Support.

Best wishes.

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Answer 2

karina184

Community Specialist

May 31, 2022 8:56 AM in response to ScompX

Hey ScompX,

Thank you for trying that. At this point, reach out for additional assistance here: Get Support.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

ScompX Author

Level 1

4 points

May 31, 2022 8:51 AM in response to genieen16

Thank you for getting back. Everything stated in the link you posted, I have already tried with no success.

The setting is as I described: The MacBook is connected via a the HP dockingstation's USB-C Cable. While it should not make a difference, I tried both USB-C ports of the Macbook.

At the dockingstation's HDMI-Port, which according to its manual supports Display Port Alternate Mode, is connected the display. Just to make sure nothing gets lost: Everything of the dock but the display works.

And the exact same setup works (including display signal) if I exchange the dock with a dongle from Satechi.

While I really appreciate your answer, I am convinced, that the display not working is not a matter of wrong cable in the wrong port etc.

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