Connect external display to MacBook Air via docking station

TheLittles wrote:

Based on personal experience...

Getting Multiple External Displays on a Docking Station:

Use a Third-Party Docking Station:

The J5 USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station allows for more than two extra monitors. How so? Well, plug in a display projector the Mac using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and then plug the J5 hub with 2 HDMI displays (one 4K), and then you'll have 3 external screens. It all mirrors and extends.

Note that if you are using a "stunt box" like that, you will need to install special software on the Mac. From the description on the J5 site (to which you linked) (emphasis mine):

"Driver installation is required for macOS® and Windows®.  If the computer has network access and administrative rights, Windows® can automatically install the driver when the device is plugged in."

If you failed to install the software, then any video ports on the dock that relied on "stunt box" output would not get a signal until such time as you did install the software. (Whereas a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock which relied only upon the Mac's native hardware video output would work without forcing you to install any software.)

The OP hasn't told us which docking stations they purchased, or how they handle video – so we don't (yet) have enough information to know if installation of special software is a requirement for them.

nikole225 wrote:

I have tried using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter sold by Apple or the Anker 332 USB-C hub purchased on Amazon neither of which had worked.

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MUF82AM/A

Apple claims (on the that page) that the adapter is compatible with the MacBook Air (2018 and later) – but only when driving a 1080p display at 60 Hz, or a UHD (3840x2160) display at 30 Hz.

They also say that it is compatible with the MacBook Air (2020) (the M1) model – and if used with it, can drive a 3840x2160 monitor at 60 Hz. (I'd expect it to be able to do the same with a 15" M2 Air, but they don't explicitly promise it.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQLLB61B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

That one's description says that its HDMI port supports resolutions / refresh rates of up to 4K at 30 Hz. There is also a note that the downstream USB-C ports do not support video output.

I could be mistaken, but it doesn't look to me like this hub would require special software.

Note that the 15" M2 MacBook Air can only drive a single display using hardware video output. Are the problems happening when you are trying to attach a single display? Or are you trying to attach multiple displays?

nikole225 Said:

"Connect external display to MacBook Air via docking station: [...]So far I have tried troubleshooting by restarting and shutting down multiple times but still not working. Any other tips/tricks for me to try?"

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Based on personal experience...

Getting Multiple External Displays on a Docking Station:

Use a Third-Party Docking Station:

The J5 USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station allows for more than two extra monitors. How so? Well, plug in a display projector the Mac using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and then plug the J5 hub with 2 HDMI displays (one 4K), and then you'll have 3 external screens. It all mirrors and extends.

TheLittles wrote:

Servant of Cats Said:

“Note that if you are using a "stunt box" like that, you will need to install special software on the Mac.[…]”

———-

That is incorrect. No software is needed.

The manufacturer disagrees with you. I provided a quote from their own Web site saying "Driver installation is required for macOS® and Windows®."

Servant of Cats Said:

“The manufacturer disagrees with you. I provided a quote from their own Web site saying "Driver installation is required for macOS® and Windows®."

———-

It’s plug & play. Nothing is installed on your Mac. They’re trying to get you to download adware and junk. Tried it yourself? There is no prompt to download software.

Servant of Cats Said:

“Note that if you are using a "stunt box" like that, you will need to install special software on the Mac.[…]”

———-

That is incorrect. No software is needed.