5

I just bought an Asus Vivobook. The specs stated that it came with the following ports:

  • 2 USB 2.0 A
  • 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 A
  • 1 USB Gen 1 C
  • 1 HDMI port

With this I assumed I'd be able to connect two monitors. The HDMI port works fine, however when I try to connect a monitor to the USB-C port (with a USB-C to HDMI converter), it does not work. The message I get is "Display Connection might be limited".

I was under the impression that USB-C supported display data, but apparently this requires some alt mode, which may or may not be available on my laptop (not sure how to find out). I am also not sure if the lack of this feature is what is causing my problem.

So my question is: Is there any way to connect two monitors (extended display, not duplicated) to my laptop, with the ports listed above?

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
6

USB-C Supports display output as long as the motherboard is made to support having a display output on the USB C. Just because you have USB C does not mean you have USB C Alternate Modes which are required to allow DisplayPort or HDMI output.

Alternate Modes are optional; Type-C features and devices are not required to support any specific Alternate Mode. The USB Implementers Forum is working with its Alternate Mode partners to make sure that ports are properly labelled with respective logos.

Asus state that there should be an identifying mark near the USB port showing what Alternate modes it supports, or your computer manual should indicate support. They also advise that the website page for your model should tell you what outputs are supported:

The product specifications of the computer are provided on the ASUS Official Website. You can see the specifications of the interface in the interface area under the product specifications.

①[Search] your computer name, click ②[Tech specs] , you can see the USB Type-C in the range of ③[Interfaces] Technical specifications of the interface.

Lacking any explicitly mentioned support for DisplayPort or HDMI over USB C you might be able to use a more conventional USB DisplayLink adaptor which is essentially a display card in the USB adaptor, but performance will not be great.

Improve this answer
12
  • so how do I find out whether my motherboard supports it? If it does not support it, is there some other way to to connect a second monitor?
    – WreckFish
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 22:03
  • @WreckFish added more information. You might be able to use a more conventional USB DisplayLink adaptor which is essentially a display card in the USB adaptor, but performance will not be great.
    – Mokubai ♦
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 22:10
  • just checked the Asus website. it makes no explicit mention of display port of USB-C. Essentially, I'm stuck unless I want to return the product, it seems. This is extremely frustrating as I explicitly checked to see whether USB-C supports display data. Everyone gave a resounding yes. Here is one example from Quora. To rant a bit more, it would seem this is important info to include in the tech specs. Anyway, one more shot in the dark: if I get a monitor with a USB-C port, would that work?
    – WreckFish
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 23:57
  • @OP - what about a docking station for the laptop?
    – anon
    Commented Dec 28, 2021 at 0:49
  • @John already tried a docking station that hooks up to the USB-C... same issue. If you can think of a way around that, I'd be very grateful.
    – WreckFish
    Commented Dec 28, 2021 at 0:57
2

Apparently Asus Vivobook 15 only supports display through the HDMI port. So you can just have the laptop connected to one external monitor or you can purchase an HDMI to dual HDMI adaptor, although they seem so much more expensive than their USB-C counterparts.

Improve this answer
2
  • I have Vivebook 15 Pro and it works with 2 external monitors (one ultra wide through HDMI and another full HD by USB-C).
    – user1068352
    Commented Jan 6 at 19:29
  • HDMI to dual HDMI splitter doesn't extend two displays. They only duplicate one display into two.
    – Saurabh Gupta
    Commented Jun 7 at 13:01
2

I had the same issue and have recently found a solution!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-USB-Dual-HDMI-Adapter/dp/B0725K1MHH/ref=sr_1_3?crid=347PDV12MKPDF&keywords=star+tech+usb+3.0+dual+hdmi+adapter&qid=1664801777&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=star+tech+usb+%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-3

This adapter EXTENDS the display and does not DUPLICATE IT.

I have been using it a litter over a week and it has worked perfectly so far. Hope this helps.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. - From Review
    – Toto
    Commented Oct 3, 2022 at 13:24

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .