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Plugable USB-C Docking Station for 4 Monitor Setup, 96W Laptop Charging
$239.95 USD
SKU: UD-3900C4Amazon Rating : (224 Reviews)
Features
- More Ports, More Power— Expand your connectivity with a TAA-compliant 4 monitor docking station built for performance. This 14-in-1 USB-C docking station features 4x HDMI ports supporting 1080p @ 60Hz, 96W laptop charging, 4x USB 3.0, and 1x USB-C (20W) port. The perfect quad monitor docking station for professionals needing display flexibility and power on their desk.
- Optimize Workstations— Drive productivity in Financial Services, Engineering or Media Teams with 4x 1080p monitors, 5Gbps USB data, and 96W laptop charging. This docking station transforms any hot desk or fixed workstation into a powerful hub; perfect for analysts or content creators who depend on multiple displays and constant peripheral connectivity.
- Hybrid Display Technology— This 4 HDMI docking station uniquely combines DisplayLink and DisplayPort Alt Mode MST to enable four extended displays, HDMI 1-2 use DisplayLink, while HDMI 3-4 rely on Alt Mode. A compatible USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode is required for HDMI 3 and 4 to function. Also includes 1x USB-C (5Gbps + 20W charging), 4x USB 3.0 (5Gbps), Ethernet, SD Card Reader, and audio in/out.
- Compatibility— Works with USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4, and USB-C systems that support DisplayPort Alt Mode MST. Supports up to four monitors on Windows 10+ and ChromeOS 100+. On macOS, it supports three extended displays; the fourth will mirror due to a lack of MST support. Requires DisplayLink drivers,automatically installed via Windows Update for most users. In corporate environments, manual installation may be needed.
- 2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support— Every Plugable product, including this 14-in-1 USB C docking station, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you ever have questions, contact our North American-based team - even before purchase
This product is TAA compliant
Free 3-Day Shipping When Buying Direct!
Note, macOS requires ‘Screen Recording’ permission for the DisplayLink software to work. Granting this permission enables sending data from your computer over USB to the HDMI outputs. No data, images, or pixels are being stored or recorded.
Tech Specs
| Quad 1080p Displays | Extend your desktop across four external displays, each at up to 1080p @ 60Hz. This dock uses a unique combination of DisplayLink (HDMI 1 & 2) and Alt Mode (HDMI 3 & 4) to achieve multi-monitor setups. Note for macOS: Due to OS limitations (no MST support), only three unique extended displays are supported; the fourth will be mirrored. Not recommended for 4-monitor macOS setups. |
| 100W Power Delivery | Charge your laptop directly through the dock with up to 96W of certified USB-C Power Delivery. Power most 13-inch to 16-inch laptops, including many MacBook Pro and Windows Ultrabooks, via a single USB-C cable. Reduce clutter with efficient charging. |
| Comprehensive 14-Port Connectivity | The UD-3900C4 offers comprehensive connectivity: four HDMI outputs (2x HDMI 1.3 DisplayLink, 2x HDMI 2.0 Alt Mode) for displays. It connects to your computer via a single USB-C host port (USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Power Delivery). For peripherals, find one USB-C downstream port (5Gbps, 20W charging) and four USB 3.0 Type-A data ports (5Gbps). It also features a Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) port, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, and an SD 4.0 (UHS-II) card reader. |
| Broad OS Compatibility | It works with Windows 10+ (DisplayLink drivers auto-install, or manual install for restricted environments). For macOS 10+, it requires the DisplayLink Manager App and supports a maximum of three unique extended displays. ChromeOS 100+ offers native DisplayLink support, needing no driver installation. Alt-Mode MST support via USB-C host port is required. |
A: No, due to macOS limitations (no MST support), this dock is not recommended for 4-monitor macOS setups. MacBooks are limited to three unique extended displays when using this docking station.
A: While DisplayLink drivers are usually automatically installed, for corporate or restricted environments, manual installation may be required.
A: For optimal Alt Mode display performance, your USB-C port must support DisplayPort Alt Mode (e.g., DP 1.2 or 1.4). Please consult your laptop's specifications or reach out to us directly to confirm if your system supports this technology.
A: For Windows, DisplayLink drivers for HDMI 1 and 2 usually install automatically. macOS requires manual installation of the DisplayLink Manager App. ChromeOS typically needs no additional software.
A: DisplayLink ports (HDMI 1 & 2) use a chip and require drivers; they work on most systems. Alt Mode ports (HDMI 3 & 4) use your computer’s GPU via USB-C and need your system to support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Number of Displays |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
Video Ports |
2x HDMI 1.3, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
3x HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 |
1x HDMI 1.4, 2x HDMI 1.3 |
1x HDMI 1.4, 2x HDMI 1.3 |
1x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0, and 3x USB-C |
Max Resolutions Supported |
4x 1920x1080p 60Hz |
3x 4K 60Hz |
1x 4K 30Hz, 2x 1920x1200 60Hz |
1x 4K 30Hz, 2x 1920x1200 60Hz |
5x 4K 60Hz |
# of Ports |
14 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
Laptop Charging |
100W(96W Certified) |
100W (96W Certified) |
100W (96W Certified) |
100W |
140W |
Laptop Connection |
USB4, Thunderbolt 4 / 3, USB-C |
USB4, Thunderbolt 4 / 3, USB-C |
USB4, Thunderbolt 4 / 3, USB-C |
USB4, Thunderbolt 4 / 3, USB-C |
USB4, Thunderbolt 4 / 3, USB-C |
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Is my laptop compatible with Plugable Multi-Stream Transport (MST) products?
MST is a DisplayPort (DP) 1.2 and newer feature that allows multiple displays to be connected to a single video output. This can be done using a MST hub or by daisy-chaining multiple MST-enabled displays. This technology is driverless, and can be used for seamlessly setting up hotdesking or work from home setups. However, there are some common problems that can occur with these devices.
Display Resolution
While our MST devices can support up to two 4K 60Hz external displays, users of older Intel CPU versions such as the 10th generation Icelake and 11th generation Tigerlake may find that their CPU only supports dual 4K 30Hz, or dual 1080p 60Hz external displays when connected to an MST-based docking station.
Based on internal testing, Plugable expects laptops that support DP 1.4 (Intel 12th gen CPUs or newer) to support up to two 4K 60Hz external displays. Older DP 1.2 hosts typically only support dual 1080p 60Hz external displays.
ARM-based Compatibility
ARM-based systems also do not universally support MST. Whether or not a particular ARM system supports MST depends on the specific SoC (System on a Chip) that is used in the system. Some SoCs such as the Texas Instruments DRA829J do support MST, while others such as the MediaTek MT8127 do not.
If you are unsure whether or not your ARM-based system supports MST, you can check the specifications of your system processor to see if it mentions MST support.
Chart of external display performance for various hosts
Connection issues: (USB-C/Video Cables)
Another potential source of issues are the cables used to connect your dock to your laptop, and your monitors to the dock.
To connect your dock to your laptop, make sure that you are using a USB-C cable that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Plugable recommends using the cable that was provided with your device.
When choosing a video cable for MST, it is important to make sure that the cable supports the desired resolution and refresh rate. To be fully compatible with our MST products, you will want a cable that supports DP 1.4 with a maximum total bandwidth of 32.4Gbps. That gives it enough bandwidth to handle two 4K UHD streams at up to 60Hz. Plugable recommends using the cables that were included with your monitor.
If there are still connection or resolution issues despite using the correct cables, Plugable also recommends swapping out the cables to help determine if the original ones were faulty.
Driver/OS issues: (Staying up to date)
The last major source of compatibility issues with MST-based docks is the operating system your laptop is running. While modern laptops with MST compatible processors that are running operating systems such as Windows 11,10, 8, 7, and ChromeOS do support MST displays and devices, MST is currently not supported by macOS hosts.
You will also want to make sure that all system and graphics driver updates are applied to avoid any problems with outdated drivers or OS versions.
However, if you have confirmed that all your hardware is compatible and you are still not seeing the expected display results, please feel free to to reach out to our support team as support@plugable.com
What is supported by the front facing USB-C port?
The forward facing USB C port on the docking station will allow you to Connect modern USB C powered devices for high High speed USB 3.0 data transfer along with 20 watts of Power Delivery for charging devices like tablets and phones.
This also supports BC 1.2 for charging supported devices.
How do I know if my computer supports Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?
Most modern laptops that support USB-C DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode should Support two displays.
You may have to research some technical specifications for your laptop to see exactly what version of DisplayPort your computer supports.
- DisplayPort 1.2 should allow for two 1080p@60Hz displays to be connected.
- DisplayPort 1.4 should allow for two 4K@60Hz displays to be connected.
- DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC 1.2 support should allow you to connect 8K@60Hz displays.
Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.2 enables visually lossless compression for ultra-high-definition (UHD) displays, while also supporting High Dynamic Range (HDR).
If you're unsure or can't find the appropriate technical specifications for the version of DisplayPort your computer supports, you may want to contact the computer manufacturer support team for more detailed information.
What is the difference between the DisplayLink vs Alt Mode MST ports?
The two DisplayLink ports, marked HDMI 1 and 2, utilize a DisplayLink chip to extend displays using USB 3.0 data connectivity. This method of extending displays is typically used to add additional displays beyond the capabilities of a computer's built in graphics processor. The two DisplayLink connections do require that drivers be installed on the computer, and you can find a link to those drivers at the following address.
https://plugable.com/pages/displaylink
The two Alt Mode MST ports, marked HDMI 3 and 4, utilize a technology called Multi-Stream Transport using DisplayPort Alt Mode over a USB-C cable. This allows a single display signal, coming directly from the computer's Graphics Processor, to be split so that it can be displayed on two separate monitors. The end result of this lets you connect two 1080P displays and use them to extend your computer's desktop.
It should be noted that the resolution of these two displays depends on what version of DisplayPort your computer supports and requires a minimum of DisplayPort version 1.2.
When I connect displays to the 'HDMI 3' and 'HDMI 4' video outputs of the UD-3900C4, two displays are mirrored or only one display works. Why is this?
For reference, internally the UD-3900C4 combines two different technologies in order to drive the attached displays.
The 'HDMI 1' and 'HDMI 2' video output ports are driven by the DisplayLink technology within the dock, specifically a DisplayLink DL-3900 chipset.
The 'HDMI 3' and 'HDMI 4' video output ports are driven by the video output capabilities of the host computer (known as VESA Alt Mode video) in conjunction with a DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport hub (aka DP MST) within the UD-3900C4.
In brief, in order for both the 'HDMI 3' and 'HDMI 4' video outputs to function the host computer must support DP MST.
If you are connecting displays to the 'HDMI 3' and 'HDMI 4' video outputs of the UD-3900C4 and things are not working as expected, this may because the host computer does not support DP MST.
An important note, as of this writing Apple computers do NOT support DP MST. As a result, when the UD-3900C4 is connected to a Mac the video output shown via the 'HDMI 3' and 'HDMI 4' ports will be duplicated or mirrored.
Again for reference, Plugable has made a video that demonstrates the Apple Mac limitation in regard to DP MST here --> LINK
Will this docking station work with my Intel, M1 Pro, or M1 Max based Mac?
This docking station will work with any Intel, M1, M2, or M3-based Mac laptops and computers; however, it will only support 3 displays.
Intel, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips for Mac computers can support two displays via their Thunderbolt ports. Unfortunately, these extra display connections do not support using Multi-Stream Transport (MST) DisplayPort to connect multiple displays. As such, the HDMI 3 and 4 connections on the back of the docking station will Mirror the two displays rather than extending them each to their own unique desktop. This results in the Mac host essentially supporting a single display rather than two for the HDMI 3 and 4 connections.
Displays connected to HDMI ports 1 and 2 utilize DisplayLink technology over USB 3.0 Using the included host cable. It should be noted that you will need to install and set up the DisplayLink manager before these two displays will work.
Here is a link to installing and setting up the DisplayLink Manager for macOS:
Is there a firmware update available for the UD-3900C4 docking station?
A newer firmware update from August 2025 is now available here: https://kb.plugable.com/question/3435609
A firmware update is available to address flickering or connectivity issues with the HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 ports powered through MST.
What does this firmware update address?
For customers experiencing flickering or connectivity issues with the HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 ports of the UD-3900C4 docking station on their Windows laptop, this updated firmware can help stabilize this behavior. Please note that if you are seeing problems outside of the HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 ports on the dock, we encourage you to reach out to us at support@plugable.com in order to troubleshoot.
Who should apply the firmware update?
The firmware update is targeted for Windows users only, experiencing flickering through the HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 ports of the UD-3900C4 dock. If you aren't experiencing any issues, we would recommend not taking action on the firmware update.
How do I apply the update?
- Please download the firmware update utility on your Windows USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 computer
- Extract the folder named "UD-3900C4_Firmware_Update" from the zip file above to your preferred location, e.g. your "Documents" folder or Desktop
- Ensure that the Plugable UD-3900C4 dock is connected to the Windows laptop using the included USB-C cable, with at least one monitor connected to the HDMI 3 and/or HDMI 4 port. Please ensure that these HDMI displays are active and running
- Navigate into the "UD-3900C4_Firmware_Update" folder, then launch VmmDPTool64.exe
- You may be prompted by Windows Defender SmartScreen that it has prevented an "unrecognized app" from starting. You may click "Run anyway" to proceed
- Click on the "FLASH" tab, then select the "Load to FLASH" button, which will then prompt you to select a firmware file to load.
- If necessary, navigate back to the "UD-3900C4_Firmware_Update" folder, then select the file titled: UD-3900C4_Ver5_06_101_Firmware.fullrom
- Upon selection, the firmware update process will automatically start
- Upon selection, the firmware update process will automatically start
- Once complete, you will need to power-cycle the dock to complete the update. Simply disconnect the power adapter for the UD-3900C4 (the blue light on the front of the dock should turn off), wait 10 seconds, then reconnect the power adapter
- Once the dock and any connected displays are reconnected, double-check that the firmware flashed successfully by navigating back to the VmmDPTool64.exe application. Click on the "Debug" tab, then click on the “FW version” button, which will load a chunk of text in the "Status" field. Make sure the "Firmware version" listed is 5.06.101 (refer to screenshot below)
USB Port Types
USB-A
pietz, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This is the standard USB connection that most computers offered prior to the introduction of USB Type-C (USB-C). Even after the introduction of USB Type-C, this is still quite common.
It can provide data transfer rates up to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gbps) specification depending on the host and device, but does not directly support video in the way that USB-C Alternate Mode does. This limitation makes DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and docking stations ideal on systems that do not have USB-C, or in instances where more displays are needed beyond available video outputs of a PC.
USB-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of connection comes in a couple different styles depending on whether USB 3.0 and higher transfer rates are supported (bottom graphic). Usually this type of connection is used to plug into USB devices that do not have a fixed cable connected, such as USB docking stations, USB hubs, printers, and others.
USB Mini-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
One of the first connectors for charging a smartphone, wireless game controller (such as the Sixaxis and DualShock 3), and other small devices such as external hard drives. Not commonly used today, but is still used in some cases. Most devices using USB Mini B are using USB 2.0, though a USB 3.0 variant does exist. This specification also added USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, though it is more commonly implemented with Micro USB.
USB Micro-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller connector that serves many of the same uses as the Mini B connector, with added optional features such as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) to allow devices like smartphones to output video to larger displays without requiring a dedicated port for video output.
The larger variant of USB-B is most commonly used for external hard drives for higher 5Gbps transfer rates.
USB-C, Thunderbolt™ 3, and Thunderbolt™ 4
Niridya , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most recent USB connection, USB Type-C (USB-C), represents a major change in what USB can do. The connector is smaller, can be connected in two orientations, is able to carry substantially more power and data, and can directly carry video signals of multiple types (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) Intel has also adapted the USB-C connector for use with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
It is important to note that while all Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are USB-C, not all USB-C connections can be used with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 devices.
More details regarding physical USB connections can be found on Wikipedia . The graphics depicted here are adapted from Wikimedia Commons by various artists under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Are Plugable DisplayLink products supported on Windows 11 computers with modern ARM processors such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Elite?
Yes, Plugable DisplayLink based products are supported on Windows 11 computers that have a modern ARM processor such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Elite.
The DisplayLink driver for Windows is native for both the x64 and ARM architectures.
My Plugable DisplayLink USB Docking Station or USB Video Adapter Is Not Working As Expected On Mac. Why is this happening?
This document covers steps to resolve the most common issues enabling video from Plugable products with DisplayLink technology on Mac. In order to use a Plugable DisplayLink device on Mac, the following actions are necessary:
1. The DisplayLink Manager Application must be installed on the host Mac
The DisplayLink Manager Application is available to download here
We have detailed installation instructions available at the links below:
macOS Monterey version 12 and macOS Big Sur version 11 installation instructions
2. The DisplayLink Manager Application must be granted the proper security permissions in order to function properly
The DisplayLink Manager application must be granted ‘Screen Recording’ permissions within the macOS ‘Privacy & Security’ settings in order to function. If these permissions are not granted, then the product will not function.
To be clear, no information is actually being recorded. The DisplayLink Application only needs this permission in order to generate the image shown within the displays connected to the product.
More information for granting these permissions for the various supported versions of macOS is available at the links below:
macOS Sonoma 14: Screen Recording Permission
macOS Ventura 13: Screen Recording permission
macOS Monterey 12: Screen Recording permission
macOS Big Sur 11: Screen Recording permission
3. The DisplayLink Manager Application must be actively running
The DisplayLink Manager Application must be running in order for the product’s video outputs to function.
When the DisplayLink Manager Application is running, there will be a small DisplayLink icon (which looks like two interlocking displays) located within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen.
If the DisplayLink Manager Application is not running, please open a new Finder window and navigate to the ‘Applications’ folder and then double click on the ‘DisplayLink Manager’ application icon to start the application.
4. On Apple Silicon MacBooks with macOS Ventura version 13 or later, the Plugable product must be granted permission in order to connect the device to the Mac
For portable Macs with Apple silicon running macOS Ventura version 13 or later, any external USB accessory must first be ‘Allowed’ in order for the device to function. If the device is not ‘Allowed’, then the device will not work.
Apple provides more information on this process at the links below:
macOS Sequoia 15 - Connect accessories to your Mac
macOS Sonoma 14 - Allow accessories to connect to Mac
macOS Ventura 13 - Allow accessories to connect to Mac
If the actions above are not taken, then the Plugable DisplayLink device will not work as expected. If after having taken all of the actions above your Plugable DisplayLink-based product is not working, please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist you further.
My DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Video Adapter stopped working as expected with my Mac computer. What should I do?
When a Plugable DisplayLink device is not working as expected with a Mac system, the best practice is to disconnect the device from the host system (and remove its external power source, if it has one) and then perform a 'clean' manual installation of the latest version we recommend of the required DisplayLink software in order to help ensure both are in a good state.
To do so, please follow these steps:
1) Disconnect the Plugable USB docking station or video adapter from the host system.
If the product you are using has an external power adapter (for example, a USB docking station), please also disconnect the power adapter from the product so that the unit resets. Please keep everything disconnected until prompted
2) Run the DisplayLink macOS Installation Cleaner
Please download and run the DisplayLink macOS Installation Cleaner utility --> LINK
Should you need them, there are detailed instructions for using this utility available here --> LINK
3) Reboot your Mac
Once the DisplayLink macOS Installation Cleaner utility has been run, please reboot your Mac (even if not prompted).
4) Install latest recommended version of the DisplayLink software
Now download and install the latest version of DisplayLink Manager Application that we recommend for your version of macOS → LINK
Should you need them, detailed installation instructions are available by clicking on the ‘INFO’ button next to the download.
5) Reconnect power (if applicable) and reconnect the product to your Mac
If you disconnected the power adapter from your product in step one, please reconnect it so the device powers on, then reconnect the product to your Mac. If the product is still not working as expected, please restart the Mac one more time.
If after having completed this process your Plugable DisplayLink device is still not working as expected, please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com with the output of our PlugDebug diagnostic utility (LINK) and we will be happy to assist you further.
My DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Video Adapter Is Not Working As Expected with a Windows computer
When a Plugable DisplayLink device is not working as expected with a Windows system, the best practice is to disconnect the device from the host system (and remove it's external power source, if it has one) and perform a 'clean' manual installation of the latest version we recommend of the required DisplayLink software driver to help ensure both are in a good state. To do so, please follow these steps:
- Disconnect the Plugable USB docking station or video adapter from the host system. If the product you are using has an external power adapter (for example a USB docking station), please also disconnect the power adapter from the product so that the unit resets. Please keep everything disconnected until prompted
- Uninstall any and all software with 'DisplayLink' in the title that is present from within the Control Panel Programs and Features (Apps and Features in Windows 10). Don't worry if these entries are not present or if the process does not work for any reason, just move onto the next step
-
Download and run the DisplayLink Installation Cleaner utility
- We have a short video that demonstrates this process
- Once the cleaning utility has completed running, restart the host system (even if not prompted to)
- Download and install the latest version (that we recommend) of the DisplayLink software driver
- If you disconnected the power adapter from your product in step one, please reconnect it so the device powers on, then reconnect the product to the host system. If the product is still not working as expected, please restart the host system one more time.
If, after having completed this process, your Plugable DisplayLink device is still not working as expected, please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com with the output of our PlugDebug diagnostic utility and we will be happy to help
I Can't Use My Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD/ATI Graphics Utility to Manage the Monitors Connected to My DisplayLink-Based Docking Station/Graphics Adapter. Why?
The graphical software utilities provided by Intel, NVIDIA and AMD/ATI are designed to only recognize and work with graphics adapters made by their respective manufacturers. As a result, they will not recognize USB-attached displays connected to a DisplayLink-based docking station or graphics adapter.
It is recommended to use the facilities built-in to Windows to manage the connected displays. These would be the ‘Display Settings’ application on Windows 10 and ‘Screen Resolution’ application on Windows 8.1 and 7. Both of these applications are available by right-clicking on empty space within the Windows desktop and selecting the appropriate choice from the context menu that appears.
Note: Intel has released an updated 'Intel Graphics Command Center' application that can recognize DisplayLink-attached displays and configure them to a certain extent. However, some of the features within the Intel Graphics Command Center application that are specific to Intel graphics adapters may not work on a DisplayLink-attached display.
Why Doesn't the "Display Color Calibration" Tool in Windows Affect the Display(s) Attached to My DisplayLink-Based Docking Station/Video Adapter?
The DisplayLink driver does not support color calibration functionality of any kind. Most monitors have built-in controls that can be used to adjust the characteristics of the display, though we realize this approach may not be ideal in all cases. For environments that necessitate near-perfect color reproduction and display calibration capabilities via software, a dedicated graphics card is recommended.
Are Plugable USB Video Adapters or Docking Stations Based on DisplayLink Technology Compatible With Touchscreens?
Touchscreens that do not require drivers and use the host’s operating system’s built-in USB Human Interface drivers (HID) to record touch inputs can be made to work with our products, however Plugable does not provide support for doing so due the complexity of multi-monitor touch screen setups.
If I Add a DisplayLink-Based Docking Station or Graphics Adapter to My System, Will That Prevent My System’s Built-In Video Outputs From Working?
No, the DisplayLink device's presence on your system will not preclude the use of any of your system’s built-in video outputs.
Are Powerline Network Adapters Supported in Conjunction With the Ethernet Port Within My DisplayLink-Based Docking Station or Video Adapter?
The use of Powerline-based network adapters in conjunction with the Ethernet port within our DisplayLink-based docking stations or video adapters is not supported.
Can I Adjust the Brightness of a Display Connected to My DisplayLink-Based Docking Station or Video Adapter via the Windows ‘Display Settings’ Application?
Windows does not have the ability to adjust the brightness of a display connected using DisplayLink technology. We recommend making use of the display’s internal on-screen menu options in order to adjust the display's brightness.
Can I Use My DisplayLink-Based Docking Station in Conjunction With a KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) Switch?
No, Plugable does not recommend or support using our DisplayLink-based docking stations with a traditional KVM switch. If you simply need to share the dock between two systems, the dock can be manually disconnected from the first system and then manually connected to the second system.
For those using our USB 3.0 DisplayLink docking station products that would like a more permanent solution that does not require disconnecting the unit from the host system, our Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch can be used as an alternative to share the dock between two systems (please keep in mind that the dock can only be used by one system at a time).
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi, Wireless Keyboard, and Mouse Issues While Using USB Docking Stations Based on DisplayLink Technology
Wi-Fi Performance Issues
Any time a USB 3.0 device is connected to a laptop system, there is a potential that the USB 3.0 connection can generate interference that can affect the performance of the laptop's built-in Wi-Fi adapter.
This behavior is not specific to Plugable products, and Intel has published a white paper on the topic for those who are curious about the technical details.
So now that we know that this can happen with any type of USB 3.0 connection, how do we solve the problem should it occur? Every person’s setup can be a little different so there will never be one definitive solution, but a few simple approaches can solve the problem in most cases:
- Option One—Move the device as far as away from the system as the USB cable will allow. This will try and ‘move’ the signals from both the USB connection and the Wi-Fi physically further apart. As a corollary to this, if the dock is located very close to the Wi-Fi router itself, placing more distance between the two can help.
- Option Two—Switch to a different USB port on the system, preferably one on the opposite side of the laptop. This employs the same approach as option one, in that physically separating the two signals (in this case the physical proximity of the USB connection and the internal Wi-Fi antennas within your system) can help. If your system has both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, try using the USB 2.0 port first.
- Option Three—Use a USB 2.0 cable, like one used connect to a USB printer, instead of a USB 3.0 cable. All USB 3.0 devices should be backward compatible with a USB 2.0 cable, and when a device is connected at USB 2.0 speeds there is no possibility for the interference.
- Option Four—Switch to using a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. As the name implies, there are two common sets of frequencies used by most Wi-Fi networks (2.4GHz and 5GHz). If both your wireless router and the wireless network adapter in your system support a 5GHz connection (they both need to, one is not enough), connecting to your Wi-Fi in that manner will prevent the interference from happening due to the two very different frequencies in use.
- Option Five—If using a 5GHz connection is not possible, changing the ‘channel’ of a 2.4 GHz connection can help. Within the 2.4GHz band used for Wi-Fi, there are eleven different channels each using a slightly different frequency. The three most commonly used ones in the United States are channel 1, 6 and 11. Using the manual for your wireless router as a guide, switching channels can potentially help. Ideally you would want to switch the channel to the opposite end of the spectrum for the best results, for example if you are on channel one already try switching to channel eleven or vice-versa
Wireless Mouse or Wireless Keyboard Performance Issues (Radio Frequency Interference)
While the items listed above can help with Wi-Fi interference, there is another type of interference that can sometimes cause problems with wireless keyboards and wireless mice which we refer to as Radio Frequency (RF) interference.
To expand further, the USB wireless receiver 'dongles' used by many wireless keyboards and wireless mice operate within the same 2.4GHz radio frequency range as many Wi-Fi adapters.
If a USB 3.0 connection is generating interference, this can affect the behavior of a wireless keyboard or wireless mouse. This behavior typically manifests as inconsistent mouse movement and/or inconsistent or sporadic keystroke registration.
In general there are two methods to mitigate this behavior should it occur:
- RF Option One—Reconnect the USB wireless receiver 'dongle' to one of the USB Docking Station's USB 2.0 ports (if the dock has USB 2.0 ports), furthest away from the USB 3.0 host connection cable. Moving the USB receiver to a USB 2.0 port typically mitigates this interference.
-
RF Option Two—In rarer cases when moving the receiver is not enough or if the product in question does not have a USB 2.0 port, adding a short USB 2.0 extension cable can also help mitigate the behavior. In many cases wireless mice or keyboards include such a cable for this very reason, but if one is not available our USB2-2PORT is a good alternative solution.
In some less common instances on Windows computers, erratic keyboard/mouse behavior can be related to an issue with Intel Management Engine. We've written about this issue and the workaround that may fix it in another article in our Knowledge Base: https://kb.plugable.com/docking-stations-and-video/laggy-mouse-or-keyboard
What are the differences between and limitations of the DisplayLink Manager Application and Legacy DisplayLink Driver for macOS?
Plugable’s DisplayLink-based products are supported with macOS with the installation of the DisplayLink software.
There are different versions of the macOS driver that have been released by DisplayLink (the separate company that makes the primary chip within our DisplayLink-based products, and who also develops the software driver), with each version aligning with different versions of macOS. When first introduced there were several differences between the two driver versions. Over time, these differences have become fewer with updates to both the DisplayLink Manager and macOS, however this article is being retained for historical reference.
A ‘legacy’ version which uses a kernel extension in order to provide its functionality, and a newer ‘DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity’ App which utilizes a new architecture that does not rely on a kernel extension to provide its functionality.
The choice of which driver to use is ultimately determined by one’s OS version and individual specific requirements, since each version offers different capabilities and operating system compatibility. We have provided a comparison table below that highlights their differences in an effort to help our customers make an informed decision.
Links to the latest DisplayLink driver versions for each version of macOS as well as installation instructions can be found on the “Downloads” tab of applicable products, or at www.plugable.com/displaylink
|
New DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App |
‘Legacy’ DisplayLink driver |
|
|
Supported operating system versions |
macOS 10.15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur, macOS 12 Monterey, macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma, and macOS 15 Sequoia |
macOS 10.14 Mojave and macOS 10.15 Catalina |
|
Ease of installation |
Straightforward |
Can sometimes be more difficult, as compared to the new App |
|
Supports closed-display mode (aka clamshell mode) |
- No with macOS 10.15 Catalina and macOS 11 Big Sur on Intel-based systems - Yes with macOS 12 Monterey on Intel-based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) - Yes with macOS 11 Big Sur, macOS 12 Monterey, macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 15 Sequoia on Apple CPU-based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) |
Yes |
|
Supports display ‘rotation’ |
- No with macOS 10.15 Catalina - Yes with macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey on Intel CPU systems - No with macOS 11 Big Sur on Apple CPU-based systems - Yes with macOS 12 Monterey, macOS 13 Ventura, and macOS 14 Sonoma on Apple CPU-based systems using DisplayLink Manager version 1.6 through 1.11.0 (rotation performed within DisplayLink Manager ***) - Yes with macOS 13, macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 15 Sequoia using DisplayLink Manager version 1.12.0 and later (rotation performed natively within 'Displays' System Settings) |
Yes |
|
Supports macOS ‘Login screen’ |
Yes, with additional ‘Login screen’ application installation |
Yes |
| Supports display color adjustment | Beta support available via 3rd-party application f.lux starting with DisplayLink Manager version 1.7.1**** | No |
|
Manageability |
Via DisplayLink icon within the Apple Menu bar |
No management application |
|
Development status |
Actively being developed |
Being phased out due to changes within macOS |
*** Display rotation on Macs with an Apple CPU is accomplished within the DisplayLink Manager Application. It is NOT accomplished via the 'Displays' System Preferences application. More information on this feature is available here: Link
**** There is a 3rd-party application called 'f.lux' that allows the adjustment of a display's color according to the time of day. This functionality is in 'beta' status, and must be enabled within the DisplayLink Manager Application in order to function. This functionality is supported with devices based on the DisplayLink DL-3xxx chipset, DL-5xxx chipset, and DL-6xxx chipset. However, it is important to note that on DL-6xxx chipsets this functionality is limited to DisplayPort video outputs only. It is NOT supported on HDMI video outputs via DL-6xxx chipsets.
DisplayLink Manager App Installation Instructions for macOS 10.15
Unsure which version of macOS you have installed? Click on the ‘Apple’ icon in the menu bar on your desktop and select ‘About this Mac’. A new window will open and display the system’s macOS version.
How to install the DisplayLink Manager application
1. Download the DisplayLink Manager from our drivers page here: https://plugable.com/pages/displaylink#macos
2. Open the DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity 1.x.pkg
3. Click ‘Continue’ on ‘Introduction’ page
4. Click ‘Continue’ on ‘Licence’ page
5. Click ‘Agree’ when prompted
6. Click ‘Install’ on ‘Installation Type’ page
7. Input your password when prompted
8. When installation finishes click ‘Close’ on ‘Summary’ page
9. Click’ Move to bin’ when prompted
How to use DisplayLink Manager?
The following steps are to be followed once after installing the app.
1. After installation, the DisplayLink Manager app will start automatically and the DisplayLink Manager logo will show in the Menu Bar. It will be grey when the dock is disconnected (Connection status will show: No monitor detected) and white when connected (Connection status will show: Monitor detected).
NOTE: The DisplayLink Manager app will only start on its own once after the initial installation. Step 5 shows how to setup the app to always start after logging-in (recommended). Otherwise the app has to be started manually each time (see step 2).
2. In case the app does not show in your Menu Bar, to start it manually, please press ‘command’ + ’space’ and type in DisplayLink Manager, click on the application to open it
a. Alternatively you can go to the Applications folder in Finder and click on the DisplayLink Manager there
3. When first opened, DisplayLink Manager will ask you to turn on notifications for the app. Click on the notification below when it shows up. It will open a Notifications window.
4. Turn on ‘Allow Notifications’ for DisplayLink Manager
5. Select “Launch automatically after logging-in” for the software to start automatically every time you log-in.
6. Screen Recording
NOTE: From macOS Catalina 10.15, the operating system requires the user to permit "Screen Recording" in order for DisplayLink based devices (like Plugable UD-3900) to work properly. The message is generated by the OS and the screen is not actually being recorded by DisplayLink. Approving it enables the DisplayLink driver to access the pixels it needs to render a mirrored or extended screen and send the pixels over USB from your computer to the DisplayLink display. DisplayLink Manager does not store or record any screen content.
a. If you enabled notifications in step 3 you will see the below message if Screen Recording is switched off
b. This message will also show in the DisplayLink Manager app window and there will be an exclamation mark ‘!’ next to the DisplayLink Manager icon.
7. To enable “Screen Recording”
a. Go to System Preferences and click on Security & Privacy
b. In the ‘Privacy’ tab scroll down to ‘Screen Recording’ and click on the padlock to make changes
c. Enter password to allow the system to make changes
d. Tick the box next to ‘DisplayLink Manager’ and click ‘Quit and reopen’ when prompted.
e. Click on a padlock to save the changes.
Other functions of the DisplayLink Manager
Login screen extension (Optional)
This enables the external screens to be available on the login screen prior to the app loading after logging into your account.
1. Download the Login Screen Extension from the link available on the front page of the DisplayLink Manager.
2. Install the extension.
3. Once the installation is complete the extension will show as ‘Installed’
Support
NOTE: Opening a ticket through the Support tab will contact the DisplayLink engineering team in Europe. We recommend contacting support@plugable.com if you have any questions or issues.
DisplayLink Manager App Installation Instructions for macOS 11 or macOS 12
Before you begin
Unsure which version of macOS you have installed on your Mac? Click on the ‘Apple’ icon within the menu bar located at the top of your desktop and select ‘About this Mac’. A new window will open and display the system’s macOS version.
Guided Video Demonstration
For those who prefer, we have a video demonstration of the installation procedure available (an embedded link is below).
For those who prefer, a detailed text-based description of the installation process (including screenshots) is available within the next section.
How to install the DisplayLink Manager application
1. Download the correct version of the DisplayLink Manager Application for your version of macOS from here → Link
2. Double-click on the file you downloaded to start the application installer:
3. From within the ‘Introduction’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Continue’ button to start the installation process:
4. After having read the license information from within the ‘License’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Continue’ button
5. Click on the ‘Agree’ button in order to agree to the software license agreement.
6. From within the ‘Installation Type’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Install’ button:
7. When prompted, please enter your system password and click on the ‘Install Software’ button to start the installation. The installation process will begin:
8. The application installer will notify you when the installation process has been completed. Please click on the ‘Close’ button in order to close the application installer.
*** NOTE - If the installation process does not complete successfully, please see this knowledge base article --> LINK for a list of potential causes and possible solutions. ***
9. You should see a request from the DisplayLink Manager Application to allow the application to display notifications, when necessary. Click on the ‘Options’ button within the request and click the ‘Allow’ option:
10. Once the application installation is complete, please connect your DisplayLink device to your Mac
11. Once the device is connected, macOS will notify you that the ‘DisplayLink Manager’ application would like to record the computer’s screen. Click the ‘Open System Preferences’ button in order to grant this access.
12. The ‘Security & Privacy’ application will open, with the default view showing the ‘Privacy’ tab with the ‘Screen Recording’ option selected by default:
13. Click on the gold padlock at the bottom of the application window to enable changes.
14. If prompted, enter your password and click the ‘Unlock’ button:
15. Click to place a checkmark next to the DisplayLink Manager entry:
16. You will be prompted to Quit and Reopen the DisplayLink Manager application in order for the change to take effect. Please do so:
18. Once this change is complete, the displays connected to your DisplayLink-based product will start working automatically.
** Please note - The DisplayLink Manager Application does NOT in fact record or store any information. This permission must be granted in order for the DisplayLink Application to access the information it needs in order to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink-connected displays. **
19. Click on the DisplayLink Manager Application icon that is now present within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the DisplayLink Manager Application status window:
20. Within the DisplayLink Manager Application status window, next to the ‘Automatic startup’ section, click to place a checkmark next to the ‘Launch automatically after login’ option. This ensures that the application will be started each time you start your Mac.
21. In order to receive notifications from macOS while a DisplayLink device is connected to your Mac, you must make a change within the ‘Notifications & Focus’ System Preferences application.
Click on the ‘System Preferences’ icon (which looks like a gear) within the macOS Dock at the bottom of your screen.
Click on the ‘Notifications & Focus’ application icon:
22. Within the ‘Notifications’ tab of the ‘Notifications & Focus’ application, next to the ‘Allow notifications’ label, click to place a checkmark next to the ‘When mirroring or sharing the display’ option. This will allow you to receive notifications from macOS while the DisplayLink device is connected.
23. Once all of the previous steps are done, the installation process is now complete.
How to use DisplayLink Manager for macOS
Once the DisplayLink Manager Application is installed, the application can be accessed via the DisplayLink Manager application status icon located within the Apple Menu Bar at the top of your screen:
** If the DisplayLink Manager Application status icon is not visible within the Menu Bar, then the application has not been started. Please open a new ‘Finder’ window and navigate to the ‘Applications’ folder. Within the ‘Applications’ folder, double-click on the DisplayLink Application icon in order to start the application. **
Within the ‘Home’ tab of the DisplayLink Manager Application, there are a few different items listed. The items listed will vary depending upon which version of the DisplayLink Manager Application that is installed, and the following list describes the features present in DisplayLink Manager version 1.7.1.
Login Screen Extension
By default, the ‘Login screen extension status:’ section will display, “Available to download and Install”
When an Apple Mac system is first powered on and reaches the login prompt, 3rd-party applications (such as the DisplayLink Manager application) are not yet running. As a result, DisplayLink-connected displays will not function.
Downloading and installing the Login screen extension (available by clicking on the ‘download’ link within DisplayLink Manager) will allow the DisplayLink-connected displays to function prior to logging in.
This is of course an optional feature, and is not required to use DisplayLink devices. However, this option is useful in certain situations, such as when only DisplayLink-connected displays are connected to the host Mac.
Automatic startup
As the name suggests, placing a checkmark next to the ‘Launch automatically after login’ option allows the DisplayLink Application to start automatically each time the system is powered on. We recommend checking this option in the interest of efficiency.
Apple Watch unlock
As the name suggests, placing a checkmark next to the ‘Use Apple Watch to unlock on the login screen’ will allow you to unlock your Mac using an Apple Watch while connected to a DisplayLink device.
Apple has more information on this process here → https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206995
** Please note that this feature is not compatible with screensavers. To use Apple Watch unlock with your DisplayLink device, you must disable your screensaver. **
f.lux app support (Beta)
There is a 3rd-party application called 'f.lux' --> https://justgetflux.com/ that allows the adjustment of a display's color according to the time of day. If the f.lux application has been installed, placing a checkmark next to the 'f.lux app support (Beta)' option will enable f.lux to change the color of a DisplayLink connected display.
A few important notes about this feature:
A. This functionality is in 'beta' status, as the label suggests. As a result, there may be cases where things may not work as expected when this option is enabled.
B. This functionality is supported with devices based on the DisplayLink DL-3xxx chipset, DL-5xxx chipset, and DL-6xxx chipset. However, it is important to note that on DL-6xxx chipsets this functionality is limited to DisplayPort video outputs only. It is NOT supported on HDMI video outputs via DL-6xxx chipsets.
System sleep in display-closed mode
Mac laptops running macOS 12 Monterey or newer can be used in one of two ways when used in conjunction with a DisplayLink-based product.
The first way is with the laptop lid open, with the laptop's built-in internal display enabled.
The second way is with the laptop lid closed, with the laptop's built-in internal display disabled. This is known as closed display mode or 'clamshell' mode.
In order to enter closed display mode while connected to a DisplayLink-based product, the host Mac must have an external power source connected and an external keyboard and mouse connected.
Placing a checkmark next to 'Power save all displays and sleep in clamshell' changes this behavior, in that closing the laptop lid will cause the host Mac to go to sleep.
This feature is of course optional, and its use is a matter of personal preference.
Display rotation and toggle
The functionality presented within this section of the DisplayLink Manager Application will vary depending upon which type of processor is within the host Mac.
Macs with an Intel processor
When DisplayLink devices are used in conjunction with Apple Mac systems that have an Intel processor, a list of all the DisplayLink-connected displays will appear within this section.
The individual displays can be turned on or off as desired by clicking on the toggle switch next to each display's name. You can differentiate between each display by hovering the mouse pointer over each display name. When doing so, a red identification box will appear within the selected display.
You can rotate the orientation of the DisplayLink-connected displays within the ‘Displays’ macOS System Preferences application.
Macs with an Apple M1 or M2 processor
When DisplayLink devices are used in conjunction with Apple Mac systems that have an Apple M1 or M2 processor, display rotation must be done from within the DisplayLink Manager Application and the host Mac must be running macOS 12 Monterey or later (display rotation is not available on M1 Macs running macOS 11 Big Sur).
Each DisplayLink-connected display attached to the M1 or M2 system will be listed next to the ‘Display rotation’ area. Click on the drop-down selection box and select the appropriate degree of rotation.
If multiple displays are present, you can differentiate between each display by hovering the mouse pointer over each display name. When doing so, a red identification box will appear within the selected display.
Synaptics (the creators of DisplayLink technology) have more information on this feature here --> Link
In addition to the rotation aspect described above, the individual displays can be turned on or off as desired by clicking on the toggle switch next to each display's name. As mentioned above, you can differentiate between each display by hovering the mouse pointer over each display name. When doing so, a red identification box will appear within the selected display.
DisplayLink Manager App Installation Instructions for macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma, macOS 15 Sequoia, & macOS 26 Tahoe
Before you begin
Unsure which version of macOS you have installed on your Mac? Click on the ‘Apple’ icon within the menu bar located at the top of your macOS desktop and select ‘About this Mac’. A new window will open and display the host system’s macOS version.
Please note, this guide describes the process using macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 13 Ventura. There may be slight differences in the procedure specific to one version of the operating system.
Guided Video Demonstration
For those who prefer, we have a video demonstration of the installation procedure available (an embedded link is below). The video demonstrates the process on macOS 15 Sequoia, however the process is virtually identical in macOS 26 Tahoe, macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 13 Ventura.
For those who prefer, a detailed text-based description of the installation process (including screenshots) is available within the following sections.
How to install the DisplayLink Manager application
*** Note - the screenshots in this article (and the demonstration video) were produced using macOS 15 Sequoia however the process and appearance is virtually identical in macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 13 Ventura ***
1. Download the correct version of the DisplayLink Manager Application for your version of macOS from here → LINK
2. Double-click on the file you downloaded to start the application installer:
3. From within the ‘Introduction’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Continue’ button to start the installation process:
4. After having read the license information from within the ‘License’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Continue’ button
5. Click on the ‘Agree’ button in order to agree to the software license agreement.
6. From within the ‘Installation Type’ section of the application installer, click on the ‘Install’ button:
7. When prompted, please enter your system password and click on the ‘Install Software’ button to start the installation. The installation process will begin:
8. The application installer will notify you when the installation process has been completed. Please click on the ‘Close’ button in order to close the application installer.
*** NOTE - If the installation process does not complete successfully, please see this knowledge base article --> LINK for a list of potential causes and possible solutions. ***
9. You should see a request from the DisplayLink Manager Application to allow the application to display notifications, when necessary. Click on the ‘Options’ button within the request and click the ‘Allow’ option
Note, we have more information in regard to notifications while using DisplayLink on macOS here → LINK
11. You should also see a request from the DisplayLink Manager Application to start the application automatically each time you log in to your Mac. Please click the notification and select the ‘Allow’ option
*** NOTE - We have seen instances where this prompt may not appear, or disappears before action can be taken. Should that occur, the application can be manually configured to launch automatically, and we will speak to this detail in a following step ***
12. macOS will notify you that the ‘DisplayLink Manager’ application would like to record the computer’s screen and audio. Click the ‘Open System Settings’ button in order to grant this permission.
13. The ‘System Settings’ application will open, with the ‘Privacy & Security’ section highlighted by default. The ‘Screen & System Audio Recording’ section will be visible on the right side of the application window:
14. Click the toggle switch next to the ‘DisplayLink Manager’ entry in order to grant the required permission. When doing so, you will be prompted to enter your password. Enter your password and click the ‘Modify Settings’ button to continue:
15. You will be prompted to Quit and Reopen the DisplayLink Manager application in order for the change to take effect. Please do so:
*** Please note - The DisplayLink Manager Application does NOT in fact record, store or transmit any information. This permission must be granted in order for the DisplayLink Application to access the information it needs in order to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink-connected displays. ***
16. Once complete, the ‘DisplayLink Manager’ application toggle switch will indicate that the permission has been granted. The ‘System Settings’ application window can now be closed.
*** NOTE - In macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 14 Sonoma, whenever the DisplayLink Manager Application is running and a DisplayLink device is connected to your computer you will see a notification within the Apple Menu bar that the DisplayLink Manager Application is capturing your screen. This is both normal and expected behavior. ***
17. Click on the DisplayLink Manager Application icon that is now present within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the DisplayLink Manager Application status window:
18. Connect your DisplayLink-based product to your Mac. On portable Macs based on an Apple processor, you may be prompted to allow the accessory to connect. If you are prompted in this manner, please click the ‘Allow’ button in order to allow the accessory to connect:
More information about this process is available here → LINK
*** This process will ONLY occur on portable Macs (such as Mac laptops) that have an Apple processor. This will NOT occur on desktop Macs or Macs that have an Intel processor. ***
On Macs running macOS 15 Sequoia, upon initial connection of your DisplayLink device you may receive a prompt asking for you to ‘Allow’ the DisplayLink Manager application to bypass the system private window picker and directly access your screen and audio.
This prompt is part of a new security feature Apple introduced with macOS 15 Sequoia.
In order to use your DisplayLink-based product, you must click the ‘Allow’ button within the prompt you received.
An example of this prompt is included inline below:
Once the DisplayLink product is connected to the computer, the ‘Displays’ tab within the DisplayLink Manager Application status window will update with information about the DisplayLink driven displays that are connected:
*** Displays that are NOT driven by DisplayLink technology will NOT appear within the ‘Displays’ tab. For example, displays that are driven by the host computer’s USB Type-C or Thunderbolt video output ***
19. Within the DisplayLink Manager Application status window, click on the ‘Settings’ tab:
If not already present, please click to place a checkmark next to the ‘Launch automatically after login’ option next to the ‘Automatic app startup’ entry.
This will help ensure that the DisplayLink Manager Application is running each time you login to your Mac.
*** If the DisplayLink Manager Application is not running, the displays connected to your DisplayLink-based product will not work ***
20. The installation process is now complete. The DisplayLink Manager Application download file can now be moved to the Trash. Please see the following section entitled, ‘How to use DisplayLink Manager for macOS’ for information on using the DisplayLink Manager Application.
How to use DisplayLink Manager for macOS
Once the DisplayLink Manager Application is installed, the application can be accessed via the DisplayLink Manager application status icon located within the Apple Menu Bar at the top of your screen.
*** If the DisplayLink Manager Application status icon is not visible within the Menu Bar, then the application has not been started. Please open a new ‘Finder’ window and navigate to the ‘Applications’ folder. Within the ‘Applications’ folder, double-click on the DisplayLink Application icon in order to start the application. ***
Displays Tab
The first tab of the DisplayLink Manager Application status window is the ‘Displays’ tab. As the name implies, all of the DisplayLink driven displays that are connected to your Mac will be displayed here, similar to the example below:
Please note, only displays driven by DisplayLink technology will be shown here. Displays driven by other methods (such as USB Type-C or Thunderbolt) will NOT be displayed.
Next to each display name is a small ‘toggle’ switch that will allow you to selectively toggle a display off or on as desired.
Starting with DisplayLink Manager version 1.12.1 and later versions, below each display will be sliders that allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast of the displays.
Note, a display must support brightness and contrast settings via a protocol known as Display Data Channel Command Interface (also known as DDC/CI) in order to support brightness and contrast setting changes via the DisplayLink Manager Application.
If multiple displays with identical names are present, you can differentiate between each display by hovering the mouse pointer over each display name. When doing so, a red identification box will appear within the selected display.
Settings Tab
Within the ‘Settings’ tab of the DisplayLink Manager Application, there are several items listed. The items listed will vary depending upon which version of the DisplayLink Manager Application that is installed and the type of processor within the host Mac (Intel processor or Apple processor).
An example of the ‘Settings’ tab is provided below:
The following list describes the features present in DisplayLink Manager version 13.1 and later versions when used with a Mac with an Apple processor:
Login screen extension status
By default, the ‘Login screen extension status:’ section will display, “Available to download and Install”
When an Apple Mac system is first powered on and reaches the login prompt, 3rd-party applications (such as the DisplayLink Manager application) are not yet running. As a result, DisplayLink-connected displays will not function.
Downloading and installing the Login screen extension (available by clicking on the ‘download’ link within DisplayLink Manager) will allow the DisplayLink-connected displays to function prior to logging in.
This is of course an optional feature, and is not required to use DisplayLink devices. However, this option is useful in certain situations, such as when only DisplayLink-connected displays are connected to the host Mac.
Automatic app startup
As the name suggests, placing a checkmark next to the ‘Launch automatically after login’ option allows the DisplayLink Application to start automatically each time the system is powered on. We recommend checking this option in the interest of efficiency.
Note, during the initial installation of the DisplayLink Manager Application you may be prompted to allow automatic startup. If so prompted and accepted, this item should already be checked.
Additional HiDPI modes
In brief, HiDPI mode is a feature of macOS that can make images within a display appear sharper.
In some cases, the host Mac will not enable HiDPI mode for the displays connected to a DisplayLink-based product.
Placing a checkmark next to the ‘Enable experimental 3008x and 2560x modes’ option will create new resolution choices for the DisplayLink-connected displays within the ‘Displays’ section of the ‘System Settings’ application that may help improve the sharpness of the image.
*** Please note - This feature is experimental, and may not always work as expected. If things do not work as expected after enabling this option, please disable the option. ***
Synaptics (the creators of DisplayLink technology) have more information on this feature here → LINK
Apple Watch unlock
As the name suggests, placing a checkmark next to the ‘Use Apple Watch to unlock on the login screen’ option will allow you to unlock your Mac using an Apple Watch while connected to a DisplayLink device.
Apple has more information on this process here → LINK
*** Please note that this feature is not compatible with screensavers. To use Apple Watch unlock with your DisplayLink device, you must disable your screensaver. ***
f.lux app support (Beta)
There is a 3rd-party application called 'f.lux' --> LINK that allows for the adjustment of a display's color according to the time of day. If the f.lux application has been installed, placing a checkmark next to the 'f.lux app support (Beta)' option will enable f.lux to change the color of a DisplayLink connected display.
A few important notes about this feature:
A. This functionality is in 'beta' status, as the label suggests. As a result, there may be cases where things may not work as expected when this option is enabled.
B. This functionality is supported with devices based on the DisplayLink DL-3xxx chipset, DL-5xxx chipset, DL-6xxx chipset and DL-7xxx chipset.
System sleep in display-closed mode
Mac laptops running macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 14 Sonoma, and macOS 13 Ventura can be used in one of two ways when used in conjunction with a DisplayLink-based product.
The first way is with the laptop lid open, with the laptop's built-in internal display enabled.
The second way is with the laptop lid closed, with the laptop's built-in internal display disabled. This is known as closed display mode or 'clamshell' mode.
In order to enter closed display mode while connected to a DisplayLink-based product, the host Mac must have an external power source connected and an external keyboard and mouse connected.
Placing a checkmark next to 'Power save all displays and sleep in clamshell' changes this behavior, in that closing the laptop lid will cause the host Mac to go to sleep.
This feature is of course optional, and its use is a matter of personal preference.
Enhance video conferencing apps
This option is enabled by default during the initial installation and helps ensure video conferencing applications work as expected, in terms of showing screen sharing content or in-call controls.
Synaptics, the creators of DisplayLink technology and the developer of the DisplayLink Manager Application, have more information about this feature here → LINK
After updating to macOS 13 my external displays are no longer working
After updating to macOS 13, DisplayLink controlled external displays may no longer be working, this can occur with older versions of the DisplayLink Manager App installed on the computer, or if the macOS "Screen Sharing" settings have been reset. The most reliable way to resolve this is to fully remove and reinstall the DisplayLink Manager App using the latest released version compatible with macOS 13 Ventura.
Remove and reinstall DisplayLink Manager App
- Disconnect the dock from the system and please remove the power cable from the dock so it turns off completely (this is important so the unit resets). Please keep it disconnected until the last step.
- Restart the computer ( Apple Menu > Restart )
- Log into the computer and open the Finder > Go > Applications window
- Double-click on the "DisplayLink Software Uninstaller" and follow the onscreen steps to remove the DisplayLink software
- If you encounter an error where the DisplayLink Manager App is running and you cannot close it please continue with 4B-4E below:
- Open the Finder > Go > Utilities > Activity Monitor
- Scroll down and select the "DisplayLinkUserAgent" from the list
- Click on the button at the top of the screen to "Stop" the application ( an octagon with an 'x' in the center )
- Retry step #3, if it still will not uninstall: open the Applications window, then click and drag the DisplayLink Manager App to the trash
- When the software removal has completed please restart the computer ( Apple Menu > Restart )
- Log back into the computer and install the latest DisplayLink software following these detailed instructions ( https://kb.plugable.com/1595423 )
- Restart the computer when completed ( Apple Menu > Restart )
- Reattach the power cable to the dock first. Once the dock is powered on, reconnect it to your system and check for the displays and USB devices to be detected
Applies to:
- Plugable USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
- Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
- Plugable USB 3.0 Graphics Adapters with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
Why doesn't streaming video play correctly when using a docking station with my Mac?
Many steaming video services require HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) enabled devices from the video source all the way to the display. We speak more to HDCP here (https://kb.plugable.com/en_US/docking-stations-and-video/381072-video-hdcp). The DisplayLink hardware and software used to enable multiple external displays with our docking stations requires enabling the "Screen Recording" permissions in macOS, this disables HDCP video playback system-wide.
The DisplayLink software isn't exactly recording the screen, as the setting's name suggests, instead it is rendering the external display and transmitting it as USB data to the docking station, however Apple does not have a security category for USB external displays and "Screen Recording" is the best fit.
This disables HDCP system-wide because there is no differentiation within macOS for the DisplayLink controlled external displays from the displays controlled by the internal graphics controller: the built-in LCD, or directly connected display(s).
Working around HDCP limitations:
Apple's Intel based Macs with Thunderbolt 3 can support up to two displays connected through a Thunderbolt 3 docking station, these displays do not require installing the DisplayLink Manager App and can be used for video playback.
- 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro systems with Intel processors can support up to two external displays in this configuration.
- 15-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro systems with Intel processors and AMD graphics can support up to four external displays ( two on the docking station, and two more either connected directly to the computer or with a second Thunderbolt 3 docking station ).
- iMac and Mac Mini systems with Thunderbolt 3 and Intel processors can support up to three total displays ( one built-in/HDMI, and two with the docking station ).
Apple Silicon (M1 and M2) based Macs support varying numbers of displays:
- M1 and M2 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air systems, and the M1 iMac can only support a single external display with a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C single display docking station with HDCP video compatibility. For supporting more than one external display, DisplayLink or similar technology is required and will prevent HDCP video playback.
- M1 Mac Mini can support up to two displays, one connected to the HDMI output, the second connected to a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C single display docking station with HDCP protected video playback enabled. For supporting more than two external displays, DisplayLink or similar technology is required and will prevent HDCP video playback.
- M1 MacBook Pro 14-inch, or 16-inch with M1 Pro or M1 Max processors can support up to two external displays with a Thunderbolt 3 docking station, or multiple displays using direct USB-C connections, with these displays supporting HDCP video playback.
Please feel free to contact our support team at 'support@plugable.com' if you have any additional questions regarding HDCP compatibility, video playback, or multiple display support with your computer.
Applies to:
Apple Mac computers with external displays connected through:
- Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
- Plugable USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
- Plugable USB 3.0 Graphics Adapters with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
My external displays blink, flicker, or reset from time to time
External displays connected to our DisplayLink based docking stations or graphics adapters may intermittently "blink" off and on again, flicker, or reset - moving active windows to another display.
Common Causes
For Windows 10 and Windows 11 host computers, the most common cause is out of date graphics hardware drivers, or DisplayLink graphics software. Most Windows computers receive updated graphics drivers through Windows Update, however this often provides significantly out of date drivers, some dating back over two years, that may not be fully compatible with the installed version of Windows.
Graphics controller manufacturers provide the latest graphics drivers from their websites, these generally provide better performance, security, and compatibility than the out of date drivers from Windows Update or the system manufacturer's website.
The exception to the above is for systems with two or more active graphics controllers, for example a laptop computer may have an Intel Graphics Controller built into the processor, as well as an NVIDIA Graphics Controller with the operating system automatically switching between the two graphics controllers based on the applications running on the computer. These systems require a delicate balance between the graphics drivers for the primary and secondary graphics controllers, Windows version, and the DisplayLink software.
Determining your computer's graphics controller
Most hardware manufacturer's provide a single unified driver package for a wide range of graphics controllers, however it is best practice to ensure the drivers are compatible with the hardware. We can look up the graphics controller through Windows "msinfo32.exe" System Information application:
- Open the Start Menu
- Search for "msinfo32" then select the b est match "System Information App"
- Note the "Processor" model details in the "System Summary" section, as some graphics drivers are referenced by the processor model
- In the left pane, expand the section "System Summary > Components" and then select "Display"
- In the right pane note the value for the item "Name", this will be the graphics controller for discrete graphics controller
Updating the Graphics Drivers to the latest version
For systems with Intel Graphics Controllers
Intel uses a unified driver installer for all of their processor graphics from the 6th Generation CPU onward (Intel i-series 6000 and newer).
-
Download the latest Intel Graphics Drivers from Intel's website by selecting the blue "Download" button for the graphics driver ".exe" file (normally the top option). Save this file to the Downloads directory or Desktop
- Save and close any open applications, unplug the docking station or graphics adapter from the computer, and connect the original power supply (for laptop/notebook computers)
- Right-click on the Intel Graphics Driver package and select "Run as Administrator" from the drop down menu
- Allow the installer in the Windows User Account Control pop-up
- Follow the on screen instructions to install the latest graphics drivers
-If there is an error message while updating the graphics drivers with regard to an "OEM" or "System Manufacturer's" driver or that these drivers are incompatible with the computer, Intel provides additional details and steps to remove OEM or legacy drivers from the system - When complete, restart the computer before reconnecting the docking station or graphics adapter
For systems with NVIDIA Graphics Controllers
NVIDIA also uses a unified driver installer for most of their discrete desktop and notebook graphics controllers.
- Locate and download the latest NVIDIA graphics driver using the graphics controller model details from msinfo32, save the file to the Downloads directory or Desktop
- Save and close any open applications, unplug the docking station or graphics adapter from the computer, and connect the original power supply (for laptop/notebook computers)
- Right-click on the NVIDIA Graphics Driver package and select "Run as Administrator" from the drop down menu
- Allow the installer in the Windows User Account Control pop-up
- Follow the on screen instructions to install the latest graphics driver, select the "Custom" or "Advanced" installation option if available, at the custom installation screen select the option to "Perform a clean installation"
- When complete, restart the computer before reconnecting the docking station or graphics adapter
For systems with AMD Graphics Controllers
AMD also uses a unified driver installer for most of their discrete desktop and notebook graphics controllers.
- Locate and download the latest AMD graphics driver either by selecting the graphics controller or AMD processor with integrated graphics from the lists, or by searching for the specific controller or CPU from msinfo32 in the "Search All Products" drop down menu
- Save and close any open applications, unplug the docking station or graphics adapter from the computer, and connect the original power supply (for laptop/notebook computers)
- Right-click on the AMD Graphics Driver package and select "Run as Administrator" from the drop down menu
- Allow the installer in the Windows User Account Control pop-up
- Follow the on screen instructions to install the latest graphics driver
- When complete, restart the computer before reconnecting the docking station or graphics adapter
macOS login failure, or WindowServer error when using DisplayLink controlled external displays
With macOS 13.3.1 update we have started to see reports of the macOS window server crashing on Apple Silicon based computers (M1/M2 processors). Either at login if a DisplayLink based docking station or USB graphics adapter is connected to the computer, when connecting the DisplayLink controlled display to the computer after login, or when launching the DisplayLink Manager App with the external display connected to the computer.
We have seen this behavior when the macOS's display persistence files have become corrupt, or include incompatible display configurations or settings. The fix was to manually remove two display persistence ".plist" files, however now the DisplayLink Support Tool for macOS has an option to reset the display persistence to quickly resolve this behavior, the process is detailed below:
- Unplug the DisplayLink controlled external display from the computer and log into the desktop
- Download the DisplayLink Support Tool for macOS
- Select the "DisplayLink Support Tool for macOS6.3.163-EXE.zip" from the downloads to extract the "DisplayLink Information.app" to the Downloads directory, a Finder window should open showing the extracted file
- Double-click on the "DisplayLink Information.app" from the Downloads folder to start the tool
- This will open a window for the DisplayLink Information tool, however we can ignore this for now. From the macOS top bar, next to "DisplayLink Information" select "Advanced" then "Reset screen layout"
- You will be prompted for the account password to proceed, enter your password, then click the "OK" button
- Next you will be prompted to reboot the computer, save and close any open applications then click on the "Reboot" button to proceed
- After rebooting the computer, log into the desktop and reconnect the external display(s), you may need to rearrange the external displays through the Apple Menu > System Settings > Displays > Arrange settings panel
If you are experiencing this behavior, with the system logging in and back out, or logging out when connecting the DisplayLink based docking station or graphics adapter and the above does not help, please contact our support team via email at 'support@plugable.com' and we will be happy to help!
Can I Connect a DisplayPort (DP) Monitor to the HDMI Port on This Device Using an Adapter or Cable?
No. Most DisplayPort to HDMI cables and adapters are one-way adapters from a DisplayPort Source (computer or docking station) to a HDMI Sink (television, computer monitor, or projector). These cables do not work in reverse.
DisplayPort uses packet-based data transmission, breaking the video stream into individual packets of data allows for longer cable runs, use in both copper and fiber-optic cables, and allows for higher bandwidth than other video formats. It is relatively easy to convert from DisplayPort to HDMI (computers with HDMI output ports already do this internally) and dual-mode DisplayPort outputs have built-in adapters to output a HDMI signal for use with passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters.
HDMI uses a video signal, similar to DVI, this requires more power to operate at the same cable lengths as DisplayPort and requires significantly more processing power to create DisplayPort packet-based data.
Externally powered HDMI to DisplayPort adapters do exist, these generally have a USB or small barrel plug for power, and can convert from a HDMI Source to DisplayPort Sink. In most cases they have reduced resolution or refresh rates compared to modern signal sources and can introduce delay in the data connection between the display and computer potentially causing reduced connectivity or display performance problems.
We do not currently recommend using HDMI to DisplayPort adapter with our docking stations. In our testing they have been unreliable compared to a native DisplayPort connection. Many of our newer docking stations include both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs to reduce the need for additional adapters or adapter cables.
How to Configure/Adjust Multiple Monitors Using a Windows System
We have a produced a series of short videos that introduce the general concepts of multi-monitor setups in Windows, how to make changes to the way things behave, as well as how to solve common problems.
Direct links to the introductory videos our customers have found the most useful are:
- Introduction to Multiple Displays in Windows
- Common Multi-Monitor Problem—Spatial Orientation
- How To Make a Display the ‘Main’ Display in Windows
- Multi-Monitor Problem—Spatial Orientation Part Two
- Introduction to Display Scaling in Windows
We also maintain a playlist that contains all of the multiple monitor tutorial videos we have made .
Is my ethernet adapter compatible with iPhone?
Our Plugable ethernet adapters are compatible with USB-C iPhone 15 and 16 / Pro / Pro Max running iOS 17 or newer. Our ethernet adapters are plug-and-play on iPhone, and ethernet connection is identified in the iOS settings app.
These following ethernet adapters from Plugable have been tested and verified to work with iPhone:
Understanding and Troubleshooting Network Performance
Computer networking is a complex topic. In this article, we'll be taking a deep dive on the nuances of network performance for those who need some additional explanation while striving to be concise, and to educate users of various experience levels relating computer hardware and computer networking.
If you just need to know how to perform a network performance test/benchmark, jump down to configuring iPerf.
Core Network Concepts
LAN vs WAN
With regards to network performance, it is crucial to first separate whether an issue is with Wide Area Network (WAN) performance, or if the issue is with Local Area Network (LAN) performance.
Your LAN is essentially the network inside your home or business. Many homes use a combination modem/router device provided by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). In some cases, especially in businesses, you may have a separate modem and router, along with other equipment connecting to the router such as a network switch.
Your modem, and the connection it establishes to your ISP—whether through coaxial cable, fiber, phone lines, or long-range wireless—essentially marks the point between the WAN and the LAN. The connection your modem makes to your ISP is the WAN, and any devices you connect through your router behind that modem belong to the LAN.
Link Rate
Almost every type of connection your computer makes to any piece of hardware will have a link rate of some kind. The link rate establishes how fast data can possibly be transferred across any given connection, but it does not guarantee how fast the hardware on either end of the connection will actually transfer data.
The concept of link rates, and their related bottlenecks, is likely best conveyed by giving an example of what connections might be involved in transferring a file from one computer on your LAN to another.
- 800Mbps—The file source is a USB 3.0 thumb drive capable of 100MB/s (800Mbps) read/write.
- 480Mbps—The USB 3.0 thumb drive is plugged into a USB 2.0 port on the PC, which has a maximum throughput of 480Mbps
- 1000Mbps—PC1's Ethernet connection establishes 1Gbps (1000Mbps) link to the router via Ethernet
- 300Mbps—The router connects to a second PC (we'll refer to this as PC2) via Wi-Fi, and it has established a 300Mbps link to the Wi-Fi adapter on PC2
- 480Mbps—The Wi-Fi adapter on PC2 is connected via a USB 2.0 port. The link rate of the USB connection to PC2 is at 480Mbps
- 6000Mbps—PC2 is going to store the file on an internal hard drive with a link rate of 6Gbps
- 1600Mbps—File Destination: SATA hard drive capable of 200MB/s (1600Mbps) read/write.
Following this chain, we see that 300Mbps is the slowest link rate established. This means that, regardless of the link rates established elsewhere, the absolute maximum the data can possibly be transferred is 300Mbps.
if we were to change the Wi-Fi connection to a wired Ethernet connection capable of 1Gbps, our performance bottleneck would then become the USB 2.0 connection to the USB drive where the file is stored.
Ports and Interfaces
Interfaces
A network interface represents connections, whether wired or wireless, that are made to form a network between devices.
Ports
Some may refer to physical hardware connections as "ports". For the purposes of networking, ports are logical constructs that can also be referred to as "network ports". Each network interface has 65,535 of these logical ports. Each port on a network interface is a separate data connection.
Benchmarking Network Adapter Performance
To properly benchmark network adapter performance, we need to:
- Use a simple LAN configuration
- Eliminate bottlenecks, especially link rate bottlenecks
Websites like speedtest.net, fast.com, and other performance tools in your web browser are going to use your WAN connection, and are not appropriate for determining if a network adapter is working well.
Transferring files from one computer to another on your LAN is typically not the best way to benchmark a network adapter. File transfers are bottlenecked by a number of things, including performance limitations of the disk the data is on, and often times a lack of establishing parallel network connections to perform the task.
One of the most accurate ways to benchmark network performance on a LAN is by using iPerf . To more effectively benchmark network adapter performance, it is best to establish a point-to-point connection between two PCs, rather than connecting through a router or switch.
Configuring iPerf
To test a connection using iPerf, you'll need at least two network interfaces, and preferably two computers. You'll also need to know the IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to each network interface . One network interface will function as an iPerf server, and the other network interface will function as an iPerf client. Lastly, you'll need to download the version of iPerf 3.x that's appropriate for your computer's operating system and extract/install it .
Windows
- Make sure the drivers for both network interfaces involved in the test are using up-to-date drivers. Drivers for Plugable products can be found here.
- Download and extract iPerf for Windows
- Open Command Prompt
- Press Windows Key + R or + R, then enter
cmdin the window that appears - Search the Start Menu for
Command Prompt, and open it
- Press Windows Key + R or + R, then enter
- Navigate Command Prompt to the directory the directory where iPerf is located
- The
cdcommand is for 'change directory'- If you have a folder named 'iperf' on your Windows desktop, you can reach it in command prompt with the command
cd %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\iperf
- If you have a folder named 'iperf' on your Windows desktop, you can reach it in command prompt with the command
- The
- Run iperf in server mode via Command Prompt
iperf3.exe -s
macOS
- Usually it is best to install iperf on macOS using brew in Terminal
- Make sure the drivers for both network interfaces involved in the test are using up-to-date drivers
- Open Terminal
- Run iPerf in server mode
iperf3 -s
Linux
- Usually it is best to install iperf using the package manager in your Linux distro. For example, in Ubuntu, use
apt: sudo apt install iperf3
- Make sure the drivers for both network interfaces involved in the test are using up-to-date Drivers
- Open Terminal
- Run iPerf in server mode
iperf3 -s
Next, you'll need to run iPerf in client mode, targeting the IP address of the server/interface where iPerf is running in server mode. Additionally, we'll run the test for 30 seconds using -t 30 and with four parallel connections using -P 4. Running 4 parallel connections is optimal for saturating a network link.
Windows
- Open Command Prompt
- Press Windows Key + R or + R, then enter
cmdin the window that appears - Search the Start Menu for
Command Prompt, and open it
- Press Windows Key + R or + R, then enter
- Navigate Command Prompt to the directory the directory where iPerf is located
- The
cdcommand is for 'change directory'- If you have a folder named 'iperf' on your Windows desktop, you can reach it in command prompt with the command
cd %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\iperf
- If you have a folder named 'iperf' on your Windows desktop, you can reach it in command prompt with the command
- The
- Run iperf in client mode via Command Prompt (replace 192.168.0.200 with the IP address of the server/interface where iPerf is running in server mode)
iperf3.exe -c 192.168.0.200 -t 30 -P 4
macOS / Linux
- Open Terminal
- Run iPerf in client mode (replace 192.168.0.200 with the IP address of the server/interface where iPerf is running in server mode)
iperf3 -c 192.168.0.200 -t 30 -P 4
iPerf should start performing a network performance test. If the test fails to start, make sure that iPerf is not being blocked by your PC's/Mac's firewall.
Why iPerf is Ideal for Benchmarking
Unlike a file transfer, iPerf runs in memory on the PC and generates data to send using the CPU directly. This alleviates potential bottlenecks generated by storage devices, and allows you to explicitly control how many parallel connections are being used to transfer data rather than being unsure if parallel network connections are being used by other means.
Conclusion
There's a lot more to networking that isn't covered in this article, but we hope this helps explain enough to get an accurate measure of your network performance.
If you need assistance with your Plugable product that features network connectivity, please contact us for further assistance.
No Sound? How to Change Your Default Audio Device to Your Plugable Product
Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, it's common to add new audio devices to your computer.
Some examples of additional audio devices you may want to switch to include:
- Bluetooth headsets, headphones, and speakers
- Speakers built into a display, such as a TV or monitor
- A USB sound card, digital audio converter (DAC), or analog to digital converter (ADC)
- USB microphones
- Audio jacks on a docking station
These steps don't apply to the Plugable Performance NIX HDMI Capture Card (USBC-CAP60).
Here are the steps that you need to set a new default audio recording or output device on different operating systems.
Set Audio Output Device
Set Audio Recording Device
Set Default Playback Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Playback tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Output header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 3.0 Silicon Motion docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as SMI USB Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Playback Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Output
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Playback Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Output Device', and change it to your preferred output device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
Set Default Recording Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Recording tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Input header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 DisplayLink docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Recording Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Input
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Recording Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Input Device', and change it to your preferred input device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
My Docking Station/Adapter Works Well With My Windows Laptop, but When I Close the Lid the Displays and Laptop Turn Off or Sleep. How Do I Fix This?
Most Windows notebook computers power management settings will default to putting the computer to sleep with the lid closed, regardless of any external displays, keyboard, or mouse connected to the computer. If this is happening but you would prefer the system to remain active with the lid closed utilizing the external display or displays, these settings can be changed by performing the following:
For Windows 10:
- Start by right-clicking on the Start button and select Power Options from the menu.
- From the right side of the Power Options settings page, select the blue link for Additional power settings
- From the choices present on the left-hand side of the Power Options window, please click on Choose what closing the lid does
- Make sure the setting for When I close the lid under the Plugged In column is set to Do Nothing
- Click the Save Changes button and restart the system (making sure that the laptop’s power adapter is also connected) and test the behavior again.
For Windows 11:
- Start by right-clicking on the Start button and select Power Options from the menu.
- In the upper left corner of the settings window, in the search box, type "lid" then select Change what closing the lid does from the search results
- Make sure the setting for When I close the lid under the Plugged In column is set to Do Nothing
- Click the Save Changes button to apply the new settings.
Closing the lid should no longer put the computer into sleep mode when an external display and power source is connected, instead one of the external displays should now become the Primary display with the desktop icons instead of the laptop's built-in display.
The lid may still need to be opened to perform the following tasks:
- To power on the computer from a fully powered off state
- To log into the computer if logged out or if the computer is restarted with the lid closed
- To wake the computer from a deep sleep state ( hibernation, or Windows hybrid sleep states )
Legacy macOS DisplayLink Driver Installation Instructions for macOS 10.14 Mojave or 10.15 Catalina
Unsure which version of macOS you have installed? Click on the ‘Apple’ icon in the menu bar on your desktop and select ‘About this Mac’. A new window will open and display the system’s macOS version.
'Legacy' DisplayLink Driver installation for macOS 10.15 Catalina
We also have a video that demonstrates this process here –> https://youtu.be/ixWKrd5SLKs
Before you begin
If have installed a previous version of the DisplayLink driver, please uninstall it and then reboot your system before proceeding.
1. Download the latest driver for macOS 10.15 Catalina from here -> Link
2. Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click on the DisplayLink driver download
3, The disk image of the driver will mount, and automatically open the DisplayLink Installer main landing page.
4. Double-click on the ‘DisplayLink Software Installer.pkg’ file. The Install DisplayLink Driver page will open.
*** Depending on your system’s security settings, the installer may not open and instead present you with a warning ***
Click on the ‘OK’ button to dismiss the warning, and then open ‘System Preferences’ (gear icon) and then open the ‘Security & Privacy’ application.
Click on the ‘Open Anyway’ button in the lower right-hand portion of the application window. Then click the ‘Open’ button within the next prompt.
5. Click the ‘Continue’ button shown within the installer’s ‘Introduction’ screen.
6. Click the ‘Agree’ button to accept the license.
7. Click the ‘Install’ button.
8. Click the ‘Continue Installation’ button. The system will need to be restarted when the installation is complete.
9. Enter your system password and click the ‘Install Software’ button.
10. After a few moments, the installer should report a successful installation.
11. The system should also prompt you to access the System Preferences to grant necessary permissions to the DisplayLink driver. Click on the ‘Open System Preferences’ button.
*** If the prompt described above did not appear automatically, manually open the ‘System Preferences’ application (gear icon in the macOS dock at the bottom of the screen) and select the ‘Security & Privacy’ application. Within the ‘Security & Privacy’ application click on the ‘Privacy’ tab. Scroll down in the list of items on the left-hand side of the application window and click to select ‘Screen Recording’. The proceed to the next step ***
12. The ‘Security & Privacy’ application should open and default to showing the ‘Privacy’ tab. On the right-hand side of the application window there should be a single entry entitled, ‘DisplayLinkUserAgent’. Click to place a checkmark next to this entry.
*** Important note – the contents of your screens (displays) are not being recorded. This setting just enables the DisplayLink driver to access the information generated by the system’s built-in graphics adapter to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink-connected displays. ***
13. After having placed a checkmark next to the ‘DisplayLinkUserAgent’ entry, click the ‘Quit Now’ button in the prompt that appears.
14. Close the ‘Security & Privacy’ application, and then restart your system. The DisplayLink device should start working after the restart is complete.
'Legacy' DisplayLink Driver installation for macOS 10.14 Mojave
** Before you begin **
If have installed a previous version of the DisplayLink driver, please uninstall it and then reboot your system before proceeding.
1. Download the latest driver for macOS 10.14 Mojave from here -> Link
2. Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click on the DisplayLink driver download
3. The disk image of the driver will mount, and automatically open the DisplayLink Installer main landing page
4. Double-click on the ‘DisplayLink Software Installer.pkg’ file. The Install DisplayLink Driver page will open
5. Click ‘Continue’
6. Click the ‘Agree’ button
7. Click ‘Install’
8. Click ‘Continue Installation’ The system will need to be restarted when the installation is complete
9. Enter your system password and click the ‘Install Software’ button
10. There is a chance that the security settings in macOS may block the installation of the DisplayLink extension
11. If that occurs, click on the ‘Open Security Preferences’ button and click the ‘Allow’ button at the bottom of the window to grant permission for the extension to be loaded. ** Important note – this approval must be granted within 30 minutes of the driver installation or the process will not work. A fresh installation must be performed to reset this timer. **
There is also a chance that the warning message about the blocked System Extension will not appear, but macOS may still block the extension. After the driver installation completes, please double-check that the necessary approval was granted by clicking the ‘System Preferences’ icon (the gear) and then clicking on the ‘Security & Privacy’ icon. From the window that appears please ensure the DisplayLink driver is Approved by clicking the ‘Allow’ button.
12. Close the ‘Security and Privacy’ window. The DisplayLink installation should now complete
13. Click on the ‘Restart’ button to restart your system. The DisplayLink device should start working after the restart is complete.
'Legacy' DisplayLink Driver removal for macOS 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina
We also have a video that demonstrates this process here –> https://youtu.be/VRRLJf6D7vc
1. Click the Spotlight magnifying glass icon in the Apple Menu, and search for ‘DisplayLink Software Uninstaller’. Double-click on the result
2. The uninstall window will appear
3. Click the ‘Uninstall’ button
4. Enter your account password and click ‘OK’
5. After a few moments the process will complete. Click the ‘Restart’ button to complete the removal process.
My Windows Computer Will Not Boot Properly When My Plugable Docking Station Or USB Hub Or USB Adapter Is Connected
If your Windows computer will not boot properly when a Plugable docking station (such as the UD-3900), USB hub (such as the USB3-HUB7C), or USB hub adapter (such as the USBC-7IN1E) is connected most often the cause is an external device connected to the Plugable product (for example an external USB storage drive) as opposed to the Plugable product itself.
If you are affected by this condition, please temporarily disconnect all of the external devices from the Plugable product. The only remaining connections should be the Plugable product's external power source (if it has one) and the cable connecting the Plugable product to the host computer.
While in this simplified physical configuration, reboot the host computer in order to test the behavior. Presuming the host computer boots as expected while in the simplified configuration, reconnect each external device back to the Plugable product one at a time and reboot after each one to test the behavior again. This process should isolate the source of the issue.
To expand further, in our experience helping others the most common cause of this behavior is an external USB storage drive connected to one of the Plugable product's USB ports. In some cases, a Windows computer may try to boot from an external storage drive by mistake as opposed to the host computer's built-in storage drive. Since most external USB storage drives are not 'bootable', this can interrupt the boot process.
If this behavior occurs, the most common way to mitigate the behavior is to access the host computer's System BIOS (also known as UEFI firmware) to change the 'boot order' settings to ensure that the host computer's internal storage drive is the first boot option. Doing so helps ensure that the host computer will not try to boot from an external USB storage device.
Every Windows host computer system is different, so the best resource for accessing the System BIOS and changing the settings is the manual for the host computer provided by the manufacturer of the host computer.
Applications That Use OpenGL Such As Google Sketchup or Google Earth Do Not Work As Expected When Connected to a DisplayLink-Based Docking Station
Docking stations based on DisplayLink USB video technology are in essence a 'virtual' graphics adapter that relies on the host laptop's CPU and internal physical graphics processing unit (aka as GPU) to generate the information shown on the dock-attached displays.
In rare instances, Windows applications that use a technology known as OpenGL to draw the image shown on the display will attempt to direct OpenGL related tasks to the DisplayLink-based docking station's virtual graphics adapter, and not to the 'real'/'physical' GPU within the laptop.
Since the dock is not a physical GPU that supports OpenGL, this can sometimes cause applications that make use of OpenGL (such as Google Earth or AutoCAD) to not work as expected or result in various types of error messages.
The true root cause of this behavior can vary, and ultimately lies outside of the docking station or its associated DisplayLink driver. In some cases the root cause lies within the Windows driver for the host system's physical GPU and in rarer cases within the Windows operating system itself.
In some cases updating either the driver for the system's internal GPU or updating Windows itself (when Microsoft provides such updates) can help, however that is unfortunately not always the case.
If updating those components does not help, in most cases there are two possible workarounds.
The first is to configure Windows to have the ‘Main’ display set to a display directly connected to the host system's built-in internal GPU, whether that is an internal laptop display or another external display connected to one of the system's built-in video outputs (a quick guide to doing so is here -> https://youtu.be/7nnKztRZXsw).
If the first option does not prove a suitable workaround, the second option is to boot the system without the dock connected, launching the affected application, and then connecting the dock may also help.
Why Aren’t My Monitors Working Within macOS After Upgrading to a Newer Version of the DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App?
When upgrading the DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App to new version within a macOS system, the update process will cause the older version of the App to quit. As a result, any monitors connected to a DisplayLink-based USB video adapter or docking station will stop working.
The solution is to manually start the new version of the DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App by double-clicking on the App's icon within the macOS 'Applications' folder within the macOS Finder. This will restart the DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App, which in turn will enable any monitors connected to a DisplayLink-based USB video adapter or docking station to start working again.
DisplayLink Products Recommended for macOS
This article intends to provide a list of Plugable products that utilize DisplayLink technology that we currently recommend for use with macOS Mojave 10.14 and newer versions of the macOS operating system. For additional information regarding the current limitations with DisplayLink adapters and docks with macOS, please look at our KB article here: https://kb.plugable.com/question/724337
DisplayLink docks that are recommended with USB 3.0 Type-A and USB 3.0 Type-C connection to laptop:
Plugable UD-3900 Dual Display Universal Docking Station (UD-3900)
Plugable USB 3.0 Dual Monitor Horizontal Docking Station (UD-3900H)
Plugable Dual HDMI USB Universal Docking Station For Windows (UD-3900Z)
Plugable Dual 4K Display HDMI or DisplayPort Universal Docking Station (UD-6950Z)
Plugable UD-6950 USB 3.0 Dual DisplayPort 4K Docking Station (UD-6950)
Plugable UD-6950H USB 3.0 Dual 4K Display Horizontal Docking Station with DisplayPort and HDMI (UD-6950H)
DisplayLink docks that are recommended that support USB-C power delivery to the laptop:
Plugable USB-C 5-Display Docking Station with HDMI 2.1 and 140W charging (UD-7400PD)
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station for 4K Quad Monitors, 100W Laptop Charging (TBT-6950PD)
Plugable USB-C Docking Station, Dual 4K Monitors, 100W Laptop Charging (UD-6950PDH)
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Display Docking Station with 100W Laptop Charging - Horizontal (UD-6950PDZ)
Plugable USB-C Triple HDMI Display Docking Station with 100W Laptop Charging - Horizontal (UD-3900PDZ)
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Display Docking Station with 100W Laptop Charging - Vertical (UD-ULTC4K)
Plugable USB-C Triple HDMI Display Docking Station with 100W Laptop Charging - Vertical (UD-ULTCDL)
Plugable USB-C Triple Monitor Docking Station with 3x HDMI Ports, 100W Laptop Charging (UD-3900PDH)
Plugable USB-C Docking Station for 4 Monitor Setup, 96W Laptop Charging (UD-3900C4)
Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station, 100W Pass Through Charging (USBC-6950PDZ)
DisplayLink adapters that are recommended:
Plugable Dual Monitor USB-C to HDMI Adapter, 4K 60Hz (USBC-6950M)
Plugable USB-C Quad 4K HDMI Graphics Adapter With up to 100W USB-C PD Pass-through Charging (USBC-7400H4)
Docking Station Power Adapters
Below is a list of power adapter models used by Plugable docking stations. We offer refurbished replacement power adapters on eBay as they are available for purchase, however, we may not have replacement power adapters available for all of our docking stations.
If the power adapter for your docking station or region is not listed, out of stock on eBay or if you have any other questions regarding replacement power adapters for our docks please contact us at support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist further.
We offer a 30-day return period for our replacement power adapters listed on eBay.
| Dock Models | Power Supply Model Number | Replacement Power Supply (if available) |
|---|---|---|
| USB 3.0 / USB-C Docking Stations | ||
| UD-3900 UD-3000 UD-5900 UD-PRO8 UD-3900C |
DSA-24PFS-05 |
|
| UD-3900H | P120W2000U |
|
| UD-3900PDZ - 100W (purchased from March 2025) | A18-135P1B |
|
| UD-3900Z | ADS-26SGP-12 12024E |
|
| UD-6950 | A16-045N3A |
|
| UD-6950H | P200W2000UG |
|
| UD-6950Z | ADS-40SGP-19 20040G |
|
| UD-CA1 UD-CA1A |
EA10953D-200 |
|
| UD-ULTCDL (MK1 original and MK2 updated version) Note: Check here to determine what version of dock you have |
A16-065N2A (MK1 model) A18-135P1B-Rev3 (MK2 model) Note: MK2 model adapters will work with MK1 docks |
|
| UD-ULTC4K (MK1 original and MK2 updated version) Note: Check here to determine what version of dock you have |
A16-100P1A (MK1 model) A18-135P1B-Rev3 (MK2 model) Note: MK2 model adapters will work with MK1 docks |
|
| UD-3900C4 |
A18-135P1B-Rev3 |
North America plug |
| UD-3900PDH UD-3900PDZ - 60W alternative power adapter |
PS200D06500G1 |
North America plug |
| UD-768PDZ |
PA-1131-72 v2 |
North America plug |
| UD-6950PDZ - 100W (purchased from February 2025) |
A18-135P1B |
North America plug |
| UD-MSTH2 |
ADS-110DL-19-1 200110E |
North America plug |
| UD-MSTHDC |
ADS-110DL-19-1 200110E |
North America plug |
| UD-CAM |
A16-100P1A |
|
| UD-CUBE |
EA1024CR-050 |
|
| UD-6950PDH |
PS200D06500G1 (v1 of dock*) F-J-SW202720006700 (v2 of dock with serial numbers 4157 or newer*) *For more details about v1 and v2 UD-6950PDH docks visit our Knowledge Base article |
North America plug (v1) North America plug (v2) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 Docking Stations | ||
| TBT4-UDZ |
PA-1131-72 v2 |
North America plug |
| TBT3-UDC1 | PA-1131-72 v1 |
|
| TBT3-UDV | A18-135P1B-Rev1 |
|
| TBT3-UDZ | PA-1171-72 |
|
| TBT3-UDC3 | PA-1171-72 |
|
| TBT4-HUB3C | ADS-110DL-19-1 200110E |
|
| USB4-HUB3A |
ADS-110DL-19-1-200100E |
North America plug |
| TBT4-UD5 | FJ-SW202720006400 |
North America plug |
| TBT4-UDX1 | A18-135P1B-Rev4 A18-135P1B-Rev3 (Large Barrel) |
|
| TBT-6950PD | YW180A2-2100858 |
|
| UD-4VPD |
PA-1171-72 |
North America plug |
When My DisplayLink-Based Product Is Connected to My Mac Running macOS 12 Monterey or macOS 13 Ventura, I Do Not See ‘Notifications’ From the Operating System. When I Disconnect the DisplayLink-Based Product From My Mac, Notifications Work As Expected. Why Is This?
UPDATE - 3/11/2025 - Content switched to Internal for historical purposes. This KB has been superseded by this new KB --> https://kb.plugable.com/question/3137440
Plugable has received reports of Notifications not working as expected when a DisplayLink-based product (such as our UD-3900 or UD-6950Z docking stations) is connected to a Mac running macOS 12 Monterey.
The cause of this behavior is still being investigated, however in our experience making a small change within the ‘Notifications & Focus’ preference settings can help.
For macOS 12 Montery, please follow these steps:
- Click on the ‘System Preferences’ icon (looks like a gear) in the macOS Dock at the bottom of your screen
- Click on the ‘Notifications and Focus’ application
- At the bottom of the ‘Notifications and Focus’ application window, click to place a checkmark in the ‘When mirroring or sharing the display’ option under the ‘Allow notifications’ section. An example screenshot with this option highlighted is included below:
For macOS 13 Ventura, please follow these steps:
- From Finder, click on the Apple Menu then select System Settings
- On the left side select "Notifications"
- On the right side select the option to "Allow notification s when mirroring or sharing the display"
- Under Application Notifications select "DisplayLink Manager"
- Toggle on the "Allow notifications" option at the top
The Audio Output From My DisplayLink-Based USB Docking Station or USB Video Adapter Is Not Working Fully As Expected When Used With macOS 12 Monterey. Why Is This Happening, and How Do I Fix This?
UPDATE 5/24/2022 - To the best of Plugable's knowledge, the unexpected behavior described below has been resolved by the macOS 12.4 update. While the issue has been resolved, the information below has been retained for historical reference.
Plugable’s products based on DisplayLink technology have the ability to send an audio signal out via their 3.5mm analog audio jacks or via their HDMI or DisplayPort video output ports (which can also carry an audio signal).
Examples of Plugable products based on DisplayLink technology are the UD-3900, UD-6950Z, or USBC-6950U. Any Plugable product based on DisplayLink technology will have a 'DisplayLink' logo printed somewhere on the product. If a Plugable product does not have this logo, then it does not use DisplayLink technology.
In some cases, when DisplayLink-based products are used with a Mac running macOS 12 Monterey the audio signal may not be heard when switching to the DisplayLink-based device.
This behavior appears to be tied to the order in which an audio output device is selected and used within macOS. For reference, the macOS driver used for the audio device within any DisplayLink-based product is provided by Apple and built-in to macOS.
To expand further, consider the following two examples:
‘Working’ example
- A Mac system is powered on with a DisplayLink device already connected.
- The DisplayLink device is set to the default audio output device within the ‘Sound’ macOS System Preferences application.
- An application plays a file that contains audio.
- The audio signal is heard properly via the DisplayLink device.
‘Not working’ example
- A Mac system is powered on without a DisplayLink device connected
- The Mac’s built-in audio output device is set as the default audio output device within the ‘Sound’ macOS System Preferences application.
- An application plays a file that contains audio.
- The audio signal is heard properly via the Mac’s built-in audio output device.
- A DisplayLink device is connected to the Mac
- The default audio output device within the ‘Sound’ macOS System Preferences application is changed to the DisplayLink device.
- An application plays a file that contains audio.
- An audio signal is NOT heard via the DisplayLink device.
At this time, there are three potential workarounds for this behavior:
- Restart the Mac
- Completely close the application that is affected by the behavior, and then restart the application
- Execute this command from within the macOS Terminal application (without the quotes) --> 'sudo killall coreaudiod'
Can Silicon Motion and DisplayLink-based Docking Stations and Graphics Adapters Work Together?
Yes! As long as the software drivers for both Silicon Motion and DisplayLink-based products are installed on the same computer these two USB graphics solutions can work together and be used at the same time.
I Have a Plugable Product That Is Based on DisplayLink USB Video Technology. What Options Are Available To Install the Required DisplayLink Software Within an Enterprise or Corporate Environment?
The DisplayLink software is not developed by Plugable. The DisplayLink software is developed by a separate company called DisplayLink --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics (which is itself part of the Synaptics Corporation).
DisplayLink has a 'Corporate Deployment' section within their online knowledge base that speaks to all of the corporate deployment options available for the software --> https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/topics/92322-corporate-deployment
Plugable does not support any of the 'Corporate' installation methods of the DisplayLink software.
Should you require assistance with a corporate deployment method of the DisplayLink software, we would suggest contacting DisplayLink directly for assistance --> https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase
Is the Playback of Copy-Protected or Encrypted Video Content Supported While Using My DisplayLink-Based Product?
Plugable’s USB video adapters or USB docking stations based on DisplayLink technology do not support the playback of copy-protected or encrypted video content, and we do our best to call this out in our product listings.
Examples of this type of video content are:
- Video content that is protected by High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (also known as HDCP), for example Blu-ray discs
- Copy-protected video content provided by various online streaming services, for example Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Disney+, YouTubeTV, etc.
As a result, copy-protected video content may not display an image on-screen while using a DisplayLink-based product.
In some cases (such as when using a streaming service) the copy-protected video content may display an image on-screen, however the resolution of the image may be lower than expected.
My Plugable Dock Is Missing a Component Such As the Power Supply, USB Cable, or Other Adapter.
If your package is missing one or more of the items that should be included with your Plugable dock (included items are listed on a chart on the side of the box), start by double checking if the part is still in the packaging. Pieces can occasionally get stuck in the corners under the main insert in the box.
If you are still unable to locate the piece, please contact support@plugable.com with the following information:
1. Amazon Order ID (or other proof of purchase) associated with your Plugable device.
2. A description of the parts that are missing from your order.
3. Your preferred shipping address (and a phone number associated with that address).
4. The serial number of your Plugable Dock.
Can I Connect My High Refresh Rate Monitor (e.g. 120Hz, 144Hz) to a Plugable Dock?
Most Plugable docks do not officially support monitors over 60Hz including 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate unless otherwise specified on the Plugable product page or listing.
DisplayLink USB Graphics technology and Silicon Motion based docking stations and graphics adapters, like our USB 3.0 dual display and USB Type-C triple display docking stations, are limited to 60Hz fresh rate by the USB graphics controller hardware.
USB Type-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode docking station and ports on our USB Type-C Triple Display Docking Stations can support higher refresh rates, but may be limited by the computer's capability and available bandwidth to the docking station. Additionally, when paired with DisplayLink or Silicon Motion USB graphics, having displays at different refresh rates may reduce overall system performance. Due to this we normally recommend limiting all connected displays to 60Hz refresh rate when using DisplayLink and Silicon Motion graphics technology with directly connected, or USB Type-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode controlled displays.
Monitors with refresh rates higher then 60Hz may be connected to a docking station operating at up to 60Hz, or connected directly on the computer's HDMI or DisplayPort to ensure the display is powered by the system's native GPU.
Do Plugable products support the Apple SuperDrive?
Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.
The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here → How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive
If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.
My Plugable product with wired Ethernet is no longer working on macOS. What can I do?
Please Note
The below guide is an advanced troubleshooting step, and we do not recommend doing so unless you are comfortable manually altering files on your Apple product running macOS. You may not be able to perform the below troubleshooting step if you are unable to execute administrative credentials on your laptop. Please reach out to our support first if you do not wish to attempt the below instructions. You can do so at Plugable.com/Support
How to delete a specific Ethernet adapter from your Network devices on macOS
- Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your primary monitor, and select ‘System Preferences’
- Next select ‘Network’ in the ‘System Preferences' window.
- In the now visible list, please select the Plugable Ethernet, or Thunderbolt Ethernet device that may not be working as expected.
- Once selected click on the minus button in the bottom left of the network window.
- Click on Apply in the bottom right.
- Next click on the plus button in the bottom left of the network window, and add the previously removed device.
- Click on Apply in the bottom right.
- Test to see if this has resolved the unexpected behavior, and assure that your Ethernet is now working.
- If this does not resolve the problem, please proceed to the next section (As noted previously the next section is for advanced users only!)
Manually erase your macOS Network Settings to fully reset the Network configuration
(Advanced! Click to reveal)
- Open the ‘Finder’ app, then in the ‘Go’ menu at the top of your screen select ‘Computer’
- Click on ‘Macintosh HD’ then Library, Preferences, SystemConfiguration
- Copy the file named ‘NetworkInterfaces.plist’ to your desktop as a backup of your current configuration.
- Delete the original version of the ‘NetworkInterfaces.plist’ located in the SystemConfiguration directory.
- Restart your Mac
- Login to your Mac, and return to System Preferences → Network
- If the list is now empty, please re-add the Plugable or Thunderbolt network adapter by clicking on the plus button in the bottom left of the Network window. Once done click on 'Apply'.
- Test to see if this has resolved the unexpected network behavior
I am still unable to get my Ethernet connection working on my Mac
If this is the case please reach out to our support team. When you do please include a diagnostic log gathered using our PlugDebug tool (instructions are provided on the PlugDebug page). If you are not able to gather the PlugDebug diagnostics do not worry we are still here to help! Please reach out to our support team at support@plugable.com or Plugable.com/Support with a detailed description of your problem, and the model of Plugable product you are using.
Does Plugable support ChromeOS with our DisplayLink-based products?
Plugable’s DisplayLink-based products are supported with ChromeOS (the operating system used in Chromebook laptops), however there are some potential limitations.
In brief:
1. Plugable recommends using our DisplayLink-based products with Chromebooks that have an Intel central processing unit (CPU) or an AMD CPU. Chromebooks with ARM CPUs are not recommended due to ARM CPU performance limitations.
2. Most Chromebooks meet the minimum hardware specifications we recommend for use with products based on the DL-3900 chipset.
The DL-6950 chipset has higher recommended hardware specifications which may not be met by some Chromebooks, which in turn may result in lower than expected performance.
As of this writing, Plugable makes products based on the DisplayLink DL-3900 (https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/integrated-chipsets/dl-3000) and DL-6950 chipsets (https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/integrated-chipsets/dl-6000). You can determine which DisplayLink chipset is in use within a Plugable product by its model name. For example, a ‘UD-3900’ docking station uses the DL-3900 chipset and a ‘UD-6950Z’ docking station uses the DL-6950 chipset.
3. For best performance, Plugable recommends using our DisplayLink-based products with Chromebooks that were released in the year 2020 or later.
4. Plugable recommends that a Chromebook have ChromeOS version 100 or later installed. Earlier versions of ChromeOS are not officially supported. Only the 'Stable' release channel of ChromeOS is supported. The 'Beta', 'Dev', or 'Canary' release channels of ChromeOS are not supported.
5. In some cases, the wired Ethernet network adapter within a Plugable DisplayLink-based product may perform at a lower than expected level of performance when used with a Chromebook as compared to when the same device is used with a Windows or Mac computer.
As a result, the Ethernet adapter may not support Gigabit Ethernet speed. This is due to a limitation of the Ethernet network driver built-in to ChromeOS, it is not a limitation of Plugable’s DisplayLink-based products.
6. Google exercises complete control over ChromeOS. As a result of this control, there can be cases where a ChromeOS update could cause unexpected behavior of a Plugable DisplayLink-based device.
It is not possible for a 3rd-party to install driver updates or apply fixes to ChromeOS. All driver updates or fixes are provided by Google as Google publishes updates to ChromeOS.
7.. Plugable offers a diagnostic utility called PlugDebug → https://plugable.com/pages/plugdebug which helps simplify the process of assisting our customers using Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Unfortunately due to the control Google exercises over ChromeOS, it is not possible to use a diagnostic tool like PlugDebug with a Chromebook.
More detail:
To expand further on some of the items listed above…
Plugable products based on DisplayLink USB video technology (https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics) are in essence ‘virtual’ graphics processing units that rely on the host computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and physical graphics processing unit (GPU) in order to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink-attached displays.
Because ChromeOS is quite efficient, it does not generally require a powerful CPU in order to work well. As a result, many Chromebooks have lower powered CPUs as compared to their Windows and Mac counterparts.
This is a boon in that Chromebooks can be made comparatively cheaper and have excellent battery life, however when it comes to using Plugable products based on DisplayLink technology some lower powered processors may not provide the same level of performance as compared to a system with a more powerful CPU and GPU.
This drives our recommendation that for best performance, Chromebooks made in 2020 or later that have either Intel CPUs or AMD CPUs be used in conjunction with Plugable’s DisplayLink-based products.
This symbiotic relationship is also what informs the potential performance differences between products based on the DL-3900 and DL-6950 chipset.
Some Chromebooks are based on an ARM CPU, and speaking in general the ARM CPUs are not as powerful as an Intel CPU or AMD CPU. As a result, we do not recommend using Plugable’s DisplayLink-based products with Chromebooks that have an ARM CPU.
If you are unsure which type of CPU your Chromebook has within it, you can consult the Chromebook manufacturer’s specifications.
If the manufacturer’s information does not help, Google maintains a list of all Chromebooks and the type of CPU they have here → https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/
Within Google’s list, the column ‘User ABI’ refers to the type of CPU, where ‘x86_64’ refers to an Intel or AMD CPU while ‘arm’ refers to an ARM CPU.
Further to this, a Chromebook should have ChromeOS version 100 or higher installed in order to be used with a Plugable DisplayLink-based product. Google has a guide for determining the ChromeOS version as well as updating ChromeOS here → https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177889
Does my DisplayLink-based product support color adjustment such as Night Light or Night Shift via the host operating system?
Modern operating systems support adjusting the color of the image shown within external displays in order to make the image more pleasing depending upon the time of the day.
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, this feature is known as ‘Night Light’ → https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-your-display-for-night-time-in-windows-18fe903a-e0a1-8326-4c68-fd23d7aaf136
In ChromeOS, this feature is also known as ‘Night Light’ → https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145848?hl=en
In macOS, this feature is known as ‘Night Shift’ → https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207513
When using a DisplayLink-based product based on the DL-3xxx, DL-5xxx, or DL-6xxx chipsets, as of today the level of support for color adjustment is as follows:
| Operating System | Color adjustment feature name | Level of support when using DisplayLink-based product |
Windows 10 & 11 |
Night Light |
- Supported when using DisplayLink driver version 10.3 M0 or newer - The 3rd-party utility f.lux also has native support for DisplayLink-based devices |
| ChromeOS (version 100 or newer) |
Night Light |
Supported |
| macOS 11, 12, 13 |
Night Shift |
- Not Supported - Experimental support for color adjustment via the 3rd-party utility f.lux is available when using DisplayLink Manager version 1.8.0*** |
*** More information about this feature is available here → https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/1990237-displaylink-manager-app-f-lux-support-option
MST Explained
What is MST?
MST stands for Multi-Stream Transport and is based on DisplayPort Technology, allowing multiple uncompressed video streams to be delivered over a single DisplayPort connection (a process known as multiplexing). MST can be used over several different video port mediums, such as DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 or 4, and USB-C ports that support DisplayPort (Alt-Mode).
Two types of connections can be made when using MST. A “daisy-chain” connection where you can link multiple monitors together or an “MST Hub” configuration that can split one DisplayPort cable into multiple video outputs.
For MST to work in a daisy-chain or MST Hub configuration, monitors must support either DisplayPort 1.2 connection (or higher) or Thunderbolt, provide a video “out” port on the monitor, and have MST mode enabled in order for the monitors to work together. Note that HDMI is not supported.
Daisy-chain example
In many cases, a monitor will not have a video “out” option; this is where an MST Hub will become necessary to break out the video signal to each monitor individually.
Plugable's USBC-11IN1E shown in this MST Hub example
Will I need additional software to use MST?
MST does not require any additional software and will connect directly to the host GPU in order to bring high-resolution, uncompressed video that is beneficial in a variety of applications such as graphics design and video editing. Resolutions will vary depending on the specifications of the GPU. DisplayPort 1.4 GPUs will support higher resolutions and refresh rates than DisplayPort 1.2, for example.
It is recommended to use the most up-to-date GPU drivers from your laptop or GPU manufacturer.
Which operating systems support MST?
MST is supported by Windows 11, 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, and Chrome OS.
MST is currently not supported by macOS or Mac OS X.
Compatible Plugable MST devices
Now that we have a better idea of MST, Plugable is excited to introduce several MST compatible hubs and docking stations that can help boost productivity and provide external monitor support, including the ability to provide other capabilities such as USB, Ethernet, and even Audio. Some supported products are,
Some of our Thunderbolt supported products include,
I tried to install the DisplayLink Manager Application on my Mac, however the process ended in an ‘Unexpected Error’. How do I fix this?
In order to use one of our DisplayLink-based products with a Mac, the DisplayLink Manager Application must be installed.
We have found that in most cases the initial installation of the application completes without any issues.
With that said, there can be rare cases where the initial installation of the application may not complete successfully, and result in an ‘Unexpected Error’.
While each support case is unique, in our experience helping others we have found that there can be a few potential causes for this condition:
A. The end-user does not have the authority or permission in order to install software applications on the host computer.
In some enterprise or corporate environments there are security restrictions in place that prevent the end-user of the Mac from installing software applications.
If your Mac has been provided to you by your company or enterprise, please reach out to your organization’s IT support department in order to determine if you have both the necessary permission and authorization in order to install software on your Mac
B. The destination for the installation of the DisplayLink Manager Application software is not a valid location.
The DisplayLink Manager Application must be installed to the Mac’s built-in internal storage drive, and the drive must have the required amount of available storage space to accommodate the installation.
The DisplayLink Manager Application should not be installed on an external storage drive, or to any type of cloud storage drive (such as Microsoft OneDrive, DropBox or Google Drive) mounted as a local physical storage volume.
In addition, the DisplayLink Manager Application installation process should not be executed while the installation file is located within any type of cloud storage drive (such as Microsoft OneDrive, DropBox or Google Drive) mounted as a local physical storage volume.
C. macOS does not have permission to access the location of the DisplayLink Manager Application installation file.
The macOS ‘Installer’ application must have permission to access the location of the DisplayLink Manager Application installation file in order for the installation process to complete successfully. If this permission is not granted, then the installation process will not complete successfully.
In our experience helping others, we have found that some of our customers using macOS 13 Ventura may encounter an error during the installation process if this permission has not been granted.
To expand further and as an example, the first time you download an application to your Mac’s ‘Desktop’ folder and attempt to install the application macOS 13 Ventura will prompt you to grant permission to the macOS Installer application to access the ‘Desktop’ folder.
If this permission is granted, then the application installation process should complete successfully. If the permission is not granted, then the application installation will not complete successfully. If the permission is not granted and you attempt the installation process a second time, macOS will NOT prompt you to grant permission because of the previous denial.
The most straightforward way to ‘reset’ these permissions is as follows:
1. Click on the Apple Menu item at the top of your screen and select ‘System Settings’ from the menu that appears
2. In the list of items presented on the left-hand side of the ‘System Settings’ application window, click on the ‘Privacy & Security’ item.
3. Within the ‘Privacy & Security’ section, scroll down in the list and click on the ‘Files and Folders’ item.
4. Within the ‘Files and Folders’ section, there should be an entry for ‘Installer’. Click on the ‘Installer’ entry in order to select it. Once the item is selected, it should appear blue in color.
5. At the bottom of the list of items within the ‘Files and Folders’ section, there will be a small horizontal line that looks like a dash or a minus sign (-). Click on the horizontal line, which will remove the ‘Installer’ entry from the list.
*** Important note - please do not make any other changes in this location, other than what we describe above ***
6. Close the ‘Systems Settings’ application
7. Attempt the installation of the DisplayLink Manager Application again.
To help provide more context, an animated example of this process is below:
Can I leave my notebook computer connected to a charging dock overnight, or should I discharge and recharge the notebook battery regularly?
We are often asked if it is okay to leave a notebook computer connected to one of our USB-C docking stations with Power Delivery for extended periods of time. The short answer is yes, it is no different from leaving the laptop connected to the manufacturer's original USB-C power supply for the same time. The long answer is yes for modern laptops, and maybe for older (1990s-early 2000s laptops) and involves going into the different battery technologies used in consumer electronics devices.
Another common question is if it is possible to use the docking station but to disable powering and charging the computer. When a modern notebook computer runs on battery power it will often set the system to a reduced power state which may impact performance, or connected devices and we recommend always powering the computer when using a desktop docking station. For all of our docking stations that provide power to the host computer this will not affect the lifespan of the computer's battery.
Modern Laptop Batteries: Lithium-Ion
Lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are found in a wide range of consumer electronics from notebook computers and cell phones, to electric cars, power tools, and wearable electronics like wireless earbuds. Li-ion offers fast charging, high-current discharging, fairly long service live compared to other rechargeable battery technologies and are relatively inexpensive.
The life-span of a rechargeable battery depends on many factors including age, temperature history, charging patterns, the chemical composition of the specific battery, and usage. For example batteries stored at 100% charge will degrade faster than batteries stored at 50% charge, this is why most consumer electronics devices arrive from the manufacturer with between 25% to 75% charge.
Lithium-ion batteries are consumable components, however in most modern computers, cell phones, and tablets these are not user serviceable components. To help maintain the battery all modern computers and most consumer electronics will include battery charge and protection circuits. These can be fairly simple, charging up the battery at preset rates depending on the charge level to help maintain the battery life, or complex software controlled charging that monitors battery temperature, voltage and current draw to maintain the fastest charging while maintaining the battery longevity.
Modern notebook computers can be left connected to the original power cable or a docking station with charging capability for extended periods, and do not benefit from regular discharge/recharge cycles. Our docking stations with charging capability rely on USB Type-C Power Delivery to power and charge compatible computers. USB Type-C Power Delivery is a negotiated charging protocol between the host computer and the docking station or USB Type-C power supply, this allows the computer to draw only the power it requires, and even select the best voltage level for powering the computer. In combination with a computer's built-in battery charging controller the computer is capable of maintaining the battery's optimal state even when left connected to a power source for an extended period of time.
Legacy Laptop Batteries: NiCad and NiMH
Older laptops, from the 1990s and some early 2000s, as well as some consumer electronics, and most rechargeable AA or AAA battery replacements use Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) or Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. These batteries are slower to charge and discharge than li-ion batteries, and require very simple charge controllers, and in some cases can even be trickle-charged ( very low-current continuous charging ) if desired.
These batteries generally don't have smart charging controllers and to prolong the life of the battery required "training" or fully discharging and recharging the battery every so often. Many laptop manufacturers recommended fully charging and discharging a new laptop 2-3 times to train the battery, this is not necessary with modern laptops.
Conclusion
Modern notebook batteries are managed by the computer's built-in battery charging circuit, and require little to no user intervention to maintain optimal battery health. It does not harm the battery to leave the computer connected to an external power supply, so long as the computer is being used regularly. If the computer is to be stored for a prolonged period then discharging the battery to between 50-75% can help to maintain the battery life.
Batteries are consumable components and degrade over time, however modern notebook computers can extend the battery life generally to meet or exceed the life of the computer's other electronic components.
macOS Reduced Ethernet Performance with Select DisplayLink Based Products
Updated 2021-06-02
Problem Description:
Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C docking stations with DisplayLink DL-3900 network adapters may have sub-Gigabit Ethernet performance when used with Apple computers. This only affects the wired Ethernet connection on the docking station or graphics adapters with Ethernet during large file transfers or speed tests on upstream connections that exceed 300Mbps. It does not affect the 4K DL-6950 based docking stations or graphics adapters with Ethernet.
Network performance may be limited to 250-300Mbps download and between 500-700Mbps upload when using these products, internet speed tests and file downloads may be further limited based on some customer feedback we have received.
While this issue is under investigation, it is unclear if drivers will be released to improve Mac network performance. Customers that require maximum network throughput may wish to utilize WiFi or another USB Ethernet adapter based on a different chipset. For example our USB3-E1000 USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter can be connected to one of the docking station's USB 3.0 ports to provide improved network performance. This network adapter requires installing separate drivers with detailed installation instructions available here: https://kb.plugable.com/question/936739
Affected products:
- UD-3900 Dual Display Universal Docking Station
- UD-3900C USB-C and USB 3.0 Dual HDMI USB Docking Station
- UD-3900C4 USB-C Quad HDMI Docking Station
- UD-3900H USB 3.0 Dual Monitor Horizontal Docking Station
- UD-3900Z Dual HDMI USB Universal Docking Station For Windows
- UD-3900PDH USB-C Triple HDMI Display Horizontal Docking Station
- UD-3900PDZ USB-C Triple HDMI Display Docking Station
- UD-ULTCDL USB-C Triple Display Docking Station
- USB3-3900DHE USB 3.0 Dual Display Adapter for Multiple Monitors with Gigabit Ethernet
Mitigation:
Using a USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet adapter connected to a USB 3.0 port on one of the above docking stations, or a USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter connected to the system directly allows for greater network performance. However we have also found that many USB Ethernet adapters have limited network performance with new M1 based Apple Mac systems.
- USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with ASIX chipset
- USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with ASIX chipset
- USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with Realtek chipset
Both of the above ASIX based USB Ethernet adapters require installing the ASIX network driver for macOS 11, we provide detailed installation instructions in our Plugable Knowledge Base. The Realtek based USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter uses macOS built-in USB network drivers.
How can I rotate the displays connected to my DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Graphics Adapter in macOS?
Depending on what kind of processor your Mac uses, there's a different method to rotate the displays connected to a DisplayLink-based USB Docking Station or USB Graphics Adapter.
For Apple silicon-based Macs (M1, M1 Pro, M2, M3, etc.)
Starting in macOS 12 (Monterey), DisplayLink-connected displays can be rotated using the DisplayLink Manager application. Display rotation is supported by DisplayLink Manager 1.6 Beta and up.
- Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in the macOS Menu bar to expand the DisplayLink Manager
- Identify the display you wish to rotate
- If you're unsure which which display name corresponds with each physical monitor, you can identify the display by moving your cursor over the display's name in the DisplayLink Manager. A red border will be shown on the display when the cursor is over top of the corresponding display's name.
- Click the pop-up menu next to the display you wish to rotate to choose your preferred display rotation value
For Intel-based Macs
Starting in macOS 11 Big Sur, DisplayLink-connected displays can be rotated using macOS's built-in Display menu.
For macOS 13 (Ventura)
- Click on the Apple menu in the macOS menu bar at the top of your display
- From the Apple menu, click on “System Settings”
- In the sidebar of the “System Settings” window, click “Displays” (you may need to scroll down to see this)
- Click to select the display you wish to rotate
- Click the pop-up menu next to “Rotation” to choose your preferred display rotation value
- In the dialog box that appears, select “Confirm” to proceed
For macOS 11 (Big Sur) and macOS 12 (Monterey)
- Click on the Apple menu in the macOS menu bar at the top of your display
- From the Apple menu, click on “System Preferences”
- In the “System Preferences” window, click “Displays”
- From the "Displays" window, select “Display Settings...”
- Click to select the display you wish to rotate
- Click the “Rotate” or “Rotation” pop-up menu to choose your preferred display rotation value
- If you're prompted with an additional dialog box, select “Confirm" to proceed
When my DisplayLink-based product is connected to my Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma, I see a notification within the Apple Menu bar at the top of my screen that states, ‘DisplayLink Manager is capturing your screen.’ Why is this?
The DisplayLink Manager Application requires access to your screen information in order to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink connected displays, and permission to access your screen information is requested during the application’s installation.
Once this permission has been granted, whenever the DisplayLink Manager Application is running you will see a notification within the Apple Menu bar that the DisplayLink Manager Application is capturing your screen. This is both normal and expected behavior.
To be clear, no information is being recorded or stored by the DisplayLink Manager Application. DisplayLink (the separate company that develops the technology and the application software) speak to this in more detail here → LINK
My dock or connected USB devices aren't being detected by my computer. What can I do?
On occasion, the internal USB hub in a docking station may stop working correctly. This can lead to your computer not detecting USB devices connected to the dock, or your computer may not recognize that the dock is plugged in at all.
A common fix for these situations is to perform a power-cycle of the dock to reset its internal hub chipset. We've seen that this can often restore the dock back to a working state when one or more of its functions aren't quite working. It's important that the steps are followed in a specific order to ensure the dock's internal USB hub fully resets. The steps are as follows:
1. Disconnect all USB peripherals connected to the dock
2. Disconnect docking station from host computer, then disconnect the dock's power adapter from power
3. Leave unplugged for at least 1 minute for power to dissipate
4. Connect docking station initially into power only
5. Connect docking station to host computer, then connect USB peripherals and test for functionality
Which USB-C port on this product can be used to connect it to my computer?
For products which have multiple USB-C ports, normally only one port is capable of connecting the product to a computer. USB-C ports capable of connecting the product to a computer are sometimes called “Host” or “Upstream” ports.
On Plugable products with multiple USB-C ports, the dedicated port for connecting to the computer will be marked with a small laptop icon or the words “To host”.
A product may not be able to function if it is connected to a computer through a different USB-C port. These ports are also known as “Hub" or “Downstream” ports.
Why did my displays stop working after my Mac updated or rebooted?
The most common reason a DisplayLink-based product may stop outputting video after rebooting or updating macOS is that the DisplayLink Manager is no longer running. The DisplayLink Manager is the software responsible for allowing DisplayLink-based video ports to output to connected displays. If the DisplayLink Manager is not running then the video will not work correctly.
You can see that the DisplayLink Manager is running by checking if its icon is present in the macOS menu bar at the top of your screen. When the icon isn't present the DisplayLink Manager is not running.
If the DisplayLink Manager isn't running, you can start it by following these steps:
- Open Finder
- Navigate to the Applications folder on the left side of the Finder window
- Within the Applications folder, locate the DisplayLink Manager
- Double-click on the icon for DisplayLink Manager to open it
- Verify that the DisplayLink Manager icon appears in the macOS menu bar, indicating it's running
It's recommended to set the DisplayLink Manager to launch automatically after login as well. This will help ensure the DisplayLink Manager starts automatically if your Mac is rebooted, although in some instances, it may still be necessary to launch the DisplayLink Manager manually.
This can be set by clicking on the DisplayLink Manager's icon when it's running, and checking the box next to Launch automatically after login as shown below
Understanding Heat Generation in Electronics
It's not uncommon for users to notice a certain level of heat generation from electronics and by extension, Plugable products during operation. In this knowledge base article, we'll explore the reasons behind this heat generation and why it is considered a normal experience within reasonable limits.
Electronics, by their nature, generate heat during operation. This is primarily a result of the electrical current flowing through various components, such as integrated circuits, transistors, and other electronic elements. As Plugable products are designed to efficiently process and transfer data (among other functionality), some level of heat generation is inherent.
Factors Influencing Heat Generation:
- Power Consumption: The power consumption of a device directly influences the amount of heat it generates. Higher power usage, especially during data transfer or charging processes, can lead to increased heat.
- Enclosure Design: The design of the product's enclosure and its ability to dissipate heat play a crucial role. Adequate ventilation and heat sinks are often incorporated to manage and disperse generated heat effectively. This is evident in our TBT3-UDZ and TBT4-UDZ designs. The metal case in these docks are designed to function as a heatsink with thermal pads placed throughout the enclosure. This allows heat dissipation from inside to the outside, but will also make it feel as if the device is “too hot”.
- Ambient Temperature: The external environment may also play a role. Higher ambient temperatures can contribute to increased perceived heat from the product. This means that summer temperatures may increase the heat generation of not just Plugable products, but many other electronic devices.
Normal Heat Levels: While it is normal for electronic devices to generate heat, Plugable products are engineered to operate within safe temperature ranges. We conduct rigorous testing to ensure that the heat generated during normal operation falls within industry-standard safety parameters. While not all products are or need to be UL certified, we try to go by UL guidelines for thermal readings. The UL threshold is 77C/170.6F, and we aim for around 71C/160F.
Tips for Users:
- Ventilation: Ensure that Plugable products have sufficient ventilation around them. Avoid placing them in enclosed spaces where heat dissipation may be impeded.
- Usage Patterns: Intensive tasks such as high-speed data transfer or charging multiple devices simultaneously may result in increased heat generation. This is generally normal but may be more noticeable in such scenarios.
- Accessories: A number of our devices will allow for the connection of USB accessories and as such, these will require power. If too many “power-hungry” devices are connected, this will cause the device to run much hotter than expected. Be sure to keep in mind the power limits of your dock/device.
In conclusion, experiencing heat from Plugable products is a normal aspect of their operation. Users can rest assured that we prioritize the safety and efficiency of our devices. By understanding the factors influencing heat generation and following simple usage guidelines, users can make the most of their Plugable products while ensuring a reliable and efficient user experience.
My Monitors Are Not Detected When My Mac Wakes from Sleep or Boots. What Can I Do?
Monitors not being detected when a Mac wakes from sleep can sometimes happen when the monitor is using automatic input source detection. Depending on the manufacturer of the monitor, the name of this input source or setting may vary. Some of these include “Auto Select”, “Auto Detect”, “Auto Source”, or other various combinations including “Auto” in the name.
The use of automatic input source detection can be problematic because it causes the monitor to be slower to inform the computer that it's connected when this setting is enabled. The additional delay introduced by automatic input source detection can cause the monitor connection negotiation between macOS and the monitor to time out, leading macOS to think there is no monitor connected to the port. As a result, video will not be sent to the monitor, and the monitor will not be detected by the Mac.
The solution to this problem is to disable automatic input source detection on your monitors. The method of accomplishing this will also vary by monitor model, however there are a few common methods such as:
- Setting the monitor's Input Source to the specific connection being used rather than automatic detection
- Disabling automatic input source detection within the monitor's on-screen display (OSD) settings
For more details on how to disable automatic input source detection, please consult the documentation for your specific monitor model from its manufacturer.
How To - Set a Network to Private or Public in Windows 10 & 11
The Windows Firewall may block some networking features when the local network is not set to Private. This article will describe the process for setting the local network, either wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi to be a Private network.
Windows 11
1 - Connect the computer to the network, either wired or wireless
2 - Open the Windows Settings - right-click on the Start Menu and select “Settings” from the pop-up menu
3 - On the left column select “Network & internet”
For Wired Networks
4 - Select the “Ethernet” option
5 - The connected network should be expanded, if not click on “Network Connected" to expand the section
6 - Select the “Network profile type” either “Public network” or “Private network” to suite your needs
For Wi-Fi Networks
4 - Select the “Wi-Fi” option
5 - Select your Wi-Fi network name “properties”
6 - Select the “Network profile type” either “Public network” or “Private network” to suite your needs
Windows 10
1 - Connect the computer to the network, either wired or wireless
2 - Open the Windows Settings - right-click on the Start Menu and select “Settings” from the pop-up menu
3 - Select “Network & Internet” fro the bottom section
4 - Select the “Ethernet” option from the left pane
5 - Select the “Connected” network from the right pane
6 - Select the “Network profile type” either “Public network” or “Private network” to suite your needs
Windows PowerShell
If the option does not show up in the Windows Settings GUI, or if you prefer to use the terminal.
1 - Open a new terminal: Right-click on the Start Menu and select “Terminal”
2 - Run the following command to list the available networks
Get-NetConnectionProfile
PS C:\Users\plugable> Get-NetConnectionProfile Name : Network InterfaceAlias : Ethernet Instance 0 InterfaceIndex : 7 NetworkCategory : Private DomainAuthenticationKind : None IPv4Connectivity : Internet IPv6Connectivity : NoTraffic
3 - Run the following command to set the network to Private
Set-NetConnectionProfile -Name Network -NetworkCategory Private
Where “Network” is the network name from step #2 and “Private” can be either “Public" or “Private”
Understanding USB-C Alt Mode
What is Alt Mode, and how does it work?
USB-C is a truly versatile connection that supports a range of functions, including power delivery, data transfer, and video. Alt Mode leverages this versatility by repurposing high-speed data pins to enable alternative video data protocols. Many of our docking stations support this protocol, but there is a catch! To take advantage of this feature, your host system must support Alt Mode via the host USB-C port and controller. If the host system and device support Alt Mode, the USB-C ports automatically switch from its default data protocol to the required Alt Mode protocol for video.
How do I determine if my system supports Alt Mode?
Reviewing your manufacturer's system specifications or user manual is the easiest way to determine if your system supports Alt Mode via the USB-C port, but unfortunately, it’s not always consistent or straightforward. Below, we have included examples of how some system manufacturers mention the capabilities of the USB-C ports on their laptops. This information will usually be included in the user manuals or system specification sheets.
Please note that mention of DisplayPort or DP 1.2, 1,4, and 2.1 indicates Alt Mode support.
Lenovo
HP
Dell
Additionally, some manufacturers, but not all, will also include a DP symbol next to the port to illustrate its ability to support video. If your USB-C port is unmarked, check your user manual or consult the system specifications.
What about Thunderbolt 4 and USB4?
Unlike earlier iterations of USB-C, which use Alt Mode for video support, USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 primarily use video tunnelling to transmit video over the USB-C connection. Video tunnelling dynamically allocates bandwidth for video and data to ensure optimized performance. If a device does not fully support video tunnelling, your Thunderbolt 4 or USB4-capable system can fall back to Alt Mode, ensuring compatibility with devices that support Alt Mode for video. So you don’t have to worry about a Thunderbolt or USB4 connection supporting USB-C Alt Mode!
Troubleshooting For Alt Mode
When using a USB-C video cable, adapter, docking station, or hub, it's important to ensure that your laptop supports Alt Mode. If you encounter any issues, the following steps can help you troubleshoot and determine why video may not be working through your USB-C Alt Mode cable or device.
-
First and foremost, check to ensure that your system supports Alt Mode. This is vital as Alt Mode is an optional feature that not all manufacturers include on their systems.
- If your system does not support Alt Mode, unfortunately, this is a hardware limitation, and there is no workaround for achieving Alt Mode compatibility. However, it’s possible to still drive external monitors through DisplayLink.
- Reboot your system and perform a power reset on your docking station or hub (if applicable)
-
If you are using a docking station, ensure that you are using a USB-C cable that supports Alt Mode.
- Not all cables are created equal—USB-C cables that support USB 2.0 only or “charging only” cables are not built to support video. To ensure compatibility, all of our Alt Mode-capable products will come with a USB-C cable that supports this feature.
- Do not use USB-C to USB-A adapters, as they are not designed to support video transmission.
- Be sure to check your operating system's display settings. The connected display can sometimes be disabled within the display settings, or the resolution and refresh may need to be adjusted to match what your device or display can support.
- Check if your Alt Mode-capable device has any firmware updates listed specifically for Alt Mode.
- Ensure that your system is up to date with all its latest drivers, firmware, and BIOS, especially your USB and internal graphics controller. Outdated drivers can often lead to connectivity issues, and at times, a BIOS update is needed, which the system manufacturer will generally mention on their official support page.
- Check BIOS and UEFI settings; some manufacturers add settings that control USB-C functionality. Ensure that your settings are enabled and correctly configured for Alt Mode.
- Test out another USB-C port on your system if you have more than one. This is beneficial in determining if the issues are related to the specific port.
Benefits of USB-C Alt Mode
Alt Mode over USB-C provides a direct connection to the GPU, allowing you to take advantage of the capabilities of your built-in GPU. This ensures native-level performance without the need for extra software or drivers. As a result, your USB-C Alt Mode-connected display will have reduced latency compared to other methods of adding additional displays, making it perfect for users who require sharp and detailed visuals at optimal refresh rates. Unlike traditional video connectors like HDMI or DisplayPort, which only support video, a USB-C connection with Alt Mode is more flexible and multifunctional, allowing a single connection to carry video, data, and power delivery.
Alt Mode supported devices from Plugable
If your system supports Alt Mode or if you are looking to get more out of your laptop, especially Apple M1, M2, or M3 base chipsets (which are limited to one external display), we have compiled some options below that utilize Alt Mode or a combination of Alt Mode and DisplayLink for even more monitor expandability.
Plugable USB-C Docking Station with HDMI, 60W Laptop Charging
SKU: UD-CA1A
The UD-CA1A is a versatile docking station that enables you to connect a 4K HDMI display via Alt Mode. In addition, it comes equipped with high-speed Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 ports, 3.5mm jacks for headphones and microphone, and will provide 60W of power delivery to your host device—all via a single USB-C port. It is compatible with macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, Linux, iOS, and iPadOS, making it the ideal solution for any setup. You can enjoy seamless plug-and-play functionality and save space with its sleek vertical design or lay it flat for a more subtle look.
Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub with Ethernet
SKU: USBC-7IN1E
The USBC-7IN1E instantly transforms a single USB-C with Alt Mode or Thunderbolt port into a versatile hub featuring 2x USB 3.0 ports, a 4K HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and SD and microSD card readers. For hosts that support Power Delivery over USB-C, this hub also supports 100W PD passthrough, allowing you to plug in your included USB-C power adapter to further simplify your setup for greater portable productivity.
The products mentioned above demonstrate the versatility of a single USB-C connection. Plugable offers a wide range of solutions to meet your needs. Whether you are looking for a full-featured docking station that utilizes DisplayLink and USB-C Alt mode, such as our UD-ULTC4K, or a USB-C cable that supports video, data, and charging, like our USBC-240W-1M, you can rest assured that we have you covered. If you have any questions or need help building a solution that takes full advantage of your laptop's USB-C connection, please reach out to us at support@plugable.com.
How to Use Two External Displays with the Lid Closed on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro M3
Overview
With the release of Apple’s M3 CPU chips and the Sonoma 14.6 update your base MacBook Air and MacBook Pro systems with M3 chips can now host two external displays natively in clamshell mode. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and using two external displays with the lid closed on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro equipped with an Apple M3 chip.
Requirements
Before getting started, ensure you have the following:
- MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with an Apple M3 chip.
- macOS Sonoma 14.3 or later for an M3 MacBook Air or macOS Sonoma 14.6 or later for an M3 MacBook Pro.
- Two external displays with compatible video inputs (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C).
- A dock or graphics adapter can be used as well.
- External keyboard and mouse (wired or wireless).
- Power adapter or power source for your MacBook
- A docking station that provides adequate charge can be used in place of the native power adapter, be sure to check the wattage your dock provides.
Steps to Set Up Dual External Displays with the Lid Closed
1. Set Up Your External Keyboard and Mouse
- If you’re using a wired keyboard and mouse, connect them directly to your MacBook or Plugable dock.
- For wireless peripherals, ensure they are paired with your MacBook and functioning properly.
- An AC adapter/power cable of some kind will also need to be connected for clamshell mode to function properly. This adapter can be one from a docking station or the included Apple adapter.
2. Connect Your Displays
- Connect the first external display to your MacBook using the appropriate cable (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C)
- Close your laptop’s lid.
- Connect the second external display using a similar method.
- Ensure both displays are powered on and set to the correct input source.
3. Configure Display Settings
- Open System Settings on your MacBook.
- Go to Displays.
- You should see both external displays listed. Arrange them according to your preference by dragging the display icons.
- Adjust the resolution, refresh rate, and other settings as needed.
4. Enable "Clamshell Mode" (Lid Closed Mode)
- With your external displays connected and set up, close the lid of your MacBook.
- Your MacBook will automatically switch to "Clamshell Mode," where the internal display turns off, and the external displays become your primary screens.
- Ensure your MacBook is connected to a power source to prevent it from entering sleep mode.
5. Check the Display Arrangement
- With the lid closed, check that the external displays are functioning as expected.
- If necessary, re-open the Displays settings to adjust the arrangement, resolution, or other preferences.
Troubleshooting Tips
- No Display on External Monitors: If the external displays are not showing anything, open the lid of your MacBook and check the connections.
- MacBook Sleeps When Lid Is Closed: Make sure your MacBook is connected to a power adapter. Clamshell Mode requires the MacBook to be plugged into an external power source.
- Performance Issues: If you experience lag or performance drops, try lowering the resolution or refresh rate of the external displays.
Thunderbolt Dock Users
With these steps, one can use Plugable Thunderbolt docks to enjoy a dual-display setup without the need for additional software installation. The dock leverages the native capabilities of the MacBook Air M3 and MacBook Pro M3, providing a straightforward and efficient solution for expanding your workspace with additional USB ports, audio, and ethernet (as well as the dual displays).
Additional Resources
If you should need any assistance with your setup, please feel free to reach out to our support team at support@plugable.com.
I installed the DisplayLink Manager Application on my Mac running macOS 15 Sequoia in order to use my Plugable DisplayLink-based docking station or video adapter. When I connected my Plugable device to my Mac, I received a prompt to ‘Allow’ the application for one month. What is this prompt, and what should I do?
In brief, the prompt is part of a new security feature Apple introduced with macOS 15 Sequoia.
For reference, an example of the prompt is included below:
In order to use your DisplayLink-based product, you must click the ‘Allow For One Month’ button within the prompt you received. In one month’s time, you will be prompted to renew this authorization for an additional month. This renewal process will continue each month thereafter.
To expand further, when initially installed the DisplayLink Manager Application must be granted ‘Screen Recording’ permission within the macOS Security & Privacy settings in order to function.
*** An important note, the DisplayLink Manager Application does NOT in fact record or store any information. This permission must be granted in order for the DisplayLink Application to access the information it needs in order to generate the image shown on the DisplayLink driven displays. ***
With the release of macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has instituted a new policy whereby this permission must initially be allowed for one month and then be renewed on a monthly basis. If the permission is not renewed, then the DisplayLink device will not function.
Is the UD-3900C4 compatible with Intel, M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks?
When used on Apple systems, the UD-3900C4 docking station station can support up to a maximum of three displays. Please note that this docking station cannot support four total extended displays on macOS due to Apple not supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode MST(Multi-Stream Transport). This technology is required for a complete quad display configuration with the UD-3900C4.
If you want to learn more about the difference between DisplayLink and Alt Mode MST or wish to learn more about the MST technology, please check out the articles below.
Do I need to install drivers for the UD-3900C4, and what can I do if my work computer restricts downloads?
The UD-3900C4 requires DisplayLink drivers for proper functionality. If your corporate environment restricts software downloads, you may need IT administrator approval to install the drivers. Please contact your IT department; if company policy allows it, they should be able to perform the driver installation on your behalf.
Is the UD-3900C4 compatible with Thunderbolt 3/4 hosts?
Yes, the UD-3900C4 is compatible with most Thunderbolt 3 and 4 systems. However, please keep in mind that Apple does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode MST, which is required for quad display functionality. This docking station can support a maximum of three displays on macOS systems.
What is the maximum supported resolution on the UD-3900C4?
The maximum supported high-definition resolution on each of the four HDMI ports is 1920x1080p @ 60Hz.
While you may achieve higher resolutions on the DisplayPort Alt Mode MST HDMI 3 and 4 ports depending on the DisplayPort version your computer supports, we do not officially support resolutions higher than 1920x1080p when going through the UD-3900C4 docking station.
How many displays can be added to a computer via USB?
Overview
Modern computers are limited in regard to the number of external displays that can be directly connected or “natively supported.” These limitations are determined by the capabilities of the host computer’s internal graphics processing unit (GPU) and the number of physical video connection ports available.
Products available from Plugable that use technology from DisplayLink or Silicon Motion provide the ability to connect multiple external displays to a computer via USB once the required software driver is installed, which allows one to workaround the host computer’s internal limitations.
Such technologies are typically referred to as ‘indirect display’ technologies because the USB connection means that the displays are NOT connected directly to the host computer’s GPU.
The total number of external displays possible via an indirect display technology can vary due to a number of factors:
- The technical specifications of the host system
- Limitations of the host operating system in regard to how many displays can be addressed
- Limitations of the USB subsystem, in regard to how many devices can be physically connected and recognized by the host system
- The capabilities of the specific indirect display technology in use
Speaking in general, with most modern computers at least four external displays can be added via USB graphics technologies and in some instances up to eight displays are possible. Note these are in addition to the number of native external displays your system supports, which ranges from 1-4 on most modern systems.
Number of indirect displays supported by Plugable
| Windows | macOS | ChromeOS | |
| DisplayLink | 8 - 1920x1080 4 - 3840x2160 |
4 - 3840x2160A | 8 - 1920x1080 4 - 3840x2160B |
| Silicon Motion | 8 - 1920x1080 4 - 3840x2160 |
4 - 3840x2160 | 8 - 1920x1080 4 - 3840x2160 |
A. Total includes any displays added via Apple’s Sidecar feature → https://support.apple.com/en-us/102597
B. Performance is dependent upon the specifications of the host system. Chromebooks using lower-spec CPUs and GPUs may support fewer displays
*** Please see important information within the ‘Performance and Technical Limitations section below ***
Performance and Technical Limitations
When using products based an indirect technology, the number of external displays that can be added to a computer (and are supported by Plugable) will vary depending upon which operating system is in use and certain technical limitations:
Host resource use
An indirect display device is in essence a ‘virtual’ GPU that relies on the capabilities of the host computer’s CPU and physical internal GPU in order to generate the image shown on the attached displays.
With each indirectly connected display added to the host, more CPU and GPU resources are required. As more displays are added, the amount of resource use may impact both the performance and stability of the computer and displays. It should be noted that the resource load will vary depending on the type of content being shown within the indirectly connected displays. For example, static content (such as an office application) will require less resources as compared to dynamic content (such as a video).
USB device connection limit
Modern computers have practical limits in regard to the maximum number of devices that can be connected to the host’s USB subsystem.
These limits will prevent USB devices from being recognized by the host when a certain number of devices are connected.
The total number of USB devices that can be connected can vary from system to system, as well as the specification of the USB protocol in use.
Speaking in general, host computers that supported only USB 2.0 could recognize and use a large number of external USB devices.
Host computers that support USB 3.0 or later versions of the specification have limitations in regard to the number of external devices that can be connected to ensure the level of performance does not drop below a certain threshold.
When using the KeypassXC password manager on my Mac in conjunction with my DisplayLink-based product, the application window disappears. How do I fix this?
For reference, in order for DisplayLink-based video adapters or docking stations to work with modern versions of macOS, it is necessary to grant the required DisplayLink Manager application ‘Screen Recording’ permission within the ‘Privacy & Security’ section within macOS System Settings.
To be clear, no information is being recorded, stored, or sent externally. This permission is only necessary for the DisplayLink device to access the information it needs to generate the information shown on the connected displays.
The KeypassXC application prevents the application window from being viewed when it believes that the screen is being recorded. Even though the screen is NOT being recorded in this instance, the application is hiding the application window.
To solve this issue, please click on the ‘View’ option within the application’s menu bar and click to enable the option, ‘Allow Screen Capture’. That will allow the application to be visible on the DisplayLink-connected displays.
For reference, a screenshot of the application with this option highlighted in red is included below:
How To: Set the Display Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Many modern displays can support above the default 60Hz refresh rate, however this may need to be manually set within Windows 11. Please note, not all computers, graphics adapters, and docking stations can support all resolutions and refresh rates.
Setting the Display Refresh Rate in Windows 11
1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings from the drop-down menu
2. Scroll down to the Related settings subsection and select Advanced display
3. At the top of the Advanced display window, select the external display from the drop-down menu
4. From the Choose a refresh rate drop-down menu select the desired refresh rate
Refresh Rate Limitations
With Windows 24H2 and newer, dynamic refresh rates are supported, this allows the system to adjust the display refresh rate to save power, up to the selected refresh rate. As a consequence of this new mode, when selecting the display refresh rate you may see an asterisk. This indicates that selecting the specific refresh rate may reduce the display resolution or image quality in order to prioritize the refresh rate. This exposes the refresh rate option from the display even if the display cable or computer is incapable of supporting that refresh rate at the native resolution and is the intended behavior per Microsoft. [1]
In the screenshot below the left side shows the 4K 120Hz capable display limited to 60Hz refresh rate without asterisks, and on the right the same display after setting the refresh rate to “120 Hz*”, the “Desktop mode” resolution has been reduced to 2560 x 1440 (1440p) instead of 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD). Unlike when using the display scaling option this also causes a reduction in image quality. On the right side asterisks are no longer shown in the refresh rate list. Setting the refresh rate back to 60Hz does not change the resolution, you will have to go back one page and set the resolution manually.
References
[1] Windows Insider description of new behavior (https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/08/31/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-25941-canary-channel/)
Is this safe to use if my computer doesn't support USB-C Power Delivery?
USB-C Power Delivery (PD) is negotiated between the power-sourcing equipment (e.g., a dock or multiport hub) and the connected host device. During this negotiation, the device offering power communicates its capabilities, and the host determines whether it can accept the power. If the host does not support Power Delivery, no power will be sent to the computer over the USB-C connection. This will allow you to take advantage of other capabilities such as data transfer or video output without risking damage to the computer.
Is there a way to add more displays to my dock?
Extra displays can be added to your docking station by using USB graphics adapters. This allows you to expand your workspace beyond the number of displays natively supported by your dock or computer.
Here’s how it works:
- Ensure your dock has open USB-A or USB-C ports to connect the USB graphics adapter(s).
- Select a Plugable USB graphics adapter compatible with your operating system and monitor specifications. Feel free to contact Plugable support (support@plugable.com) for assistance in selecting the appropriate adapter for your setup.
- Download and install the driver from the "Downloads" section of the product page for the USB graphics adapter on Plugable's website.
- Plug the adapter into an available USB port on your docking station.
- Use an appropriate video cable (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort) to connect the adapter to your monitor.
Important Considerations:
- Windows supports up to 8 DisplayLink/SiliconMotion-based monitors.
- macOS has a hard limit of 4 DisplayLink/SiliconMotion-based monitors.
- USB graphics adapters use bandwidth and system resources. Connecting multiple adapters can reduce performance.
Why is the Alt Mode video output on my dock not working?
Alt Mode video works by creating a direct pipeline from the host device's graphics processor through USB-C to the dock which allows it to output video to connected display. This relies on a few key factors to function correctly, including the host device's graphics processor, the host device's USB-C port, and the cable used to connect the dock.
It's recommended to check these possible causes if the Alt Mode video output on your dock is not working:
- USB-C Port Limitations: Not all USB-C ports support video output (Alt Mode). Check your host device's specifications to confirm it supports Alt Mode video output.
- Incompatible USB-C Cable: Some USB-C cables support power and data, but not Alt Mode video. Use the USB-C cable that was originally included in the box with your dock to ensure it supports Alt Mode video output.
- Incorrect Host Connection: Ensure you’re connecting to the correct USB-C port on the dock, typically labeled a laptop icon. Other USB-C ports on the dock may not function for connecting the dock to a host device, and using them could result in no function.
- Outdated Drivers: Ensure your operating system and graphics drivers are up to date. USB-C Alt Mode primarily relies on the laptops graphics processor to produce video, so outdated drivers can often cause issues.
Why don’t my DisplayLink-connected screens show anything before logging into macOS?
When using DisplayLink-based products with macOS, displays connected to a DisplayLink USB graphics adapter or docking station may remain blank until you log into your computer. This happens because the DisplayLink Manager doesn’t load until after login, so the dock or graphics adapter cannot send the necessary information to the displays beforehand. This problem can be resolved by installing the DisplayLink Login Screen Extension for the DisplayLink Manager. This extension enables the external screens to be available on the login screen prior to the app loading after logging into your account.
To install the Login Screen Extension:
- Expand the DisplayLink Manager by clicking on its icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen
- In the app, click the download button in the DisplayLink Manager to download the Login Screen Extension.
- The Login Screen Extension will download. Open the downloaded file to begin the installation.
- Follow on-screen instructions and grant any necessary permissions.
- After installation, your connected displays should show video output once your Mac is booted, even before login.
How Can I Check the Ethernet Adapter Link Rate on my Mac?
One helpful way to identify your ethernet link rate speed is through the System Settings app in macOS. This can help us identify if your Plugable ethernet adapter is negotiating either 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps network speeds. Some routers have a mix of 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps ports, and in the macOS System Settings this will be shown in the Speed field.
In this example, we will be analyzing our USBC-E2500, which is a 2.5Gbps ethernet adapter. This method applies to all of our ethernet adapters, such as:
Navigate to the Network section, select the entry named “USB 10/100/1G/2.5G LAN” with the Green - Connected icon. Expand the Details button, and go to Hardware.
In the field that says Speed, you should see 2500Base-T if the ethernet adapter is connected to a 2.5G ethernet LAN port on your router. If you see 1000Base-T, this means the adapter is connected to a 1G ethernet LAN port. If you are expecting faster network speeds, please see your router's documentation on its multi-gig LAN port.
Choosing the Right USB Type-C Cable for Your Docking Station
At Plugable, we rigorously test our docking stations with the included accessories to ensure they work seamlessly together. One key reason for using the included cable is that not all USB Type-C cables on the market support the same features. Therefore we strongly recommend using the USB Type-C or Thunderbolt cable that comes with your Plugable dock for best results.
Understanding the differences between charging and data cables is essential to fully enable your new docking station, or if you are ever in need of a replacement or longer cable for your docking station. Let’s break it down.
USB Type-C Cables: Charging vs. Data
USB Type-C cables may look identical, but their capabilities can vary significantly. Unfortunately, the USB specifications do not require cables to be clearly labeled, which can make identifying the right cable a challenge.
There are two main categories:
USB Type-C Charging Cables
Charging cables are among the most common Type-C cables available. They typically support:
✔ USB 2.0 data (up to 480Mbps)
✔ USB Power Delivery for charging devices
These cables are often included with smartphones, tablets, and some laptops. They are also frequently sold specifically for charging purposes. However, they lack the necessary conductors for high-speed data transfer and video output.
Fully Featured USB Type-C Cables
Fully featured USB Type-C cables offer full functionality and are required for docking stations. The cables we include with our USB Type-C docks support:
✔ USB4 or USB 3.0/3.1 data (5Gbps or faster)
✔ USB 2.0 data
✔ USB Power Delivery
✔ USB Type-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode for video output
These cables ensure full compatibility with our docking stations, allowing for both high-speed data transfer and external display support.
Thunderbolt Data Cables
Thunderbolt cables are a specialized subset of USB Type-C data cables. They are Intel-certified and typically marked with the Thunderbolt logo (⚡).
✔ Interchangeable with USB Type-C data cables when using USB 3.x devices
✔ Required for Thunderbolt devices to ensure proper functionality
If you're using a Thunderbolt docking station or device, a certified Thunderbolt cable is essential for maximum performance.
What Makes These Cables Different?
The key difference lies in the internal wiring:
🚫 Charging cables lack the conductors required for high-speed data (USB 5Gbps or higher) and video output. Even if a device supports USB Type-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, a charging cable won’t transmit video.
✅ Data cables include additional wiring to support higher data rates, video output, and greater flexibility in bandwidth allocation.
How Can I Tell the Difference?
🔎 Charging cables are generally thinner and may have smaller connector grips, as they often lack electronic markers. They are typically advertised as:
- "Charging cable"
- "480Mbps data rate"
- Advertised primarily for phones and tablets, not laptops
🔎 Data cables are usually thicker and slightly more expensive due to their additional complexity. Look for statements such as:
- "USB 3.0/3.1," "USB4," or "Thunderbolt"
- "5Gbps" or faster data rates
- Mention of video support for use with external displays
⚠ Cable Length Matters!
Fully featured data cables are typically limited to 1 meter (3.3 feet) to comply with USB Type-C specifications. Charging cables, on the other hand, can be much longer.
Need a Longer or Replacement Cable?
If you need a replacement or a longer cable for your USB Type-C or Thunderbolt docking station, consider these options:
For USB 3.1/3.2 Type-C Docking Stations:
🔗 USB Type-C 10Gbps 1m (3.3ft) Cable
For Thunderbolt & USB4, and USB 3 Type-C Docking Stations:
🔗 Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 1m (3.3ft) Cable
🔗 Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 0.8m (3ft) 90° Right-Angle Cable
🔗 Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 2m (6.6ft) Cable
Note: The USB Type-C 10Gbps cable is only recommended for USB 3.x docking stations, not Thunderbolt docks.
Why am I not receiving notifications when using a DisplayLink-based product on macOS?
macOS requires the "Screen Recording" permission to be enabled for DisplayLink Manager in order to function. While no actual recording or observation occurs, macOS interprets the DisplayLink-based docking station or USB graphics adapter as actively "observing" the screen.
By default, macOS suppresses notifications when the screen is being "shared." This means that when a DisplayLink-based product is in use, notifications may not appear.
How to enable notifications while using a DisplayLink-based product:
- Open System Settings on your Mac.
- Go to Notifications on the left side of the window
- Click the toggle to enable Allow notifications when mirroring or sharing the display.
This will allow notifications to appear as usual while your DisplayLink-based docking station or USB graphics adapter is connected. Note: this also enables notifications to appear when the screen is being shared or observed.
Do Plugable docking stations support automatic Ethernet hardware address (also known as Media Access Control or MAC address) pass through from the host computer?
Plugable does not officially support automatic or automated MAC address pass through functionality from the host computer with any of our currently available docking station products.
As of this writing, the only current exception is the upcoming UD-7400PD docking station → LINK and we speak to its capabilities in this regard here → LINK
However, when our docking station products are used within a Windows environment such behavior can be approximated by other means. The methods to do so and their complexity can vary depending upon the Ethernet network technology on which the dock is based.
To be clear, Plugable does not officially support these approximated solutions. However, we wanted to mention them should they prove helpful to others.
With that said, Plugable docking stations will vary in regard to the Ethernet network chipset used within the product. For general reference, the specific Ethernet chipset used within the product will be listed within the 'Specifications' tab of the docking station's product page.
For example, here are the specifications for the Plugable UD-6950Z docking station which is based on DisplayLink technology, which also provides the Ethernet network chipset functionality.
Note, all Plugable docking station products based on DisplayLink technology will have the DisplayLink logo printed on the product. For general reference, we have a list of all of our DisplayLink-based docking stations available here --> LINK
A DisplayLink-based Ethernet adapter can be configured to use a 'virtual' MAC address that is manually configured within the Windows Device Manager via the adapter's 'Advanced' settings tab, specifically the 'MAC Address' field.
Manually entering a hexadecimal value for the MAC Address field will override the MAC address stored in the Ethernet chipset within the docking station product (in so far as it is presented to the Windows operating system).
To be clear, this only affects the current Windows installation. This does NOT change the Ethernet MAC address stored within the dock itself.
Further to this, Synaptics (the separate company from Plugable who created the DisplayLink technology and also developed the software), have additional options available for configuring a DisplayLink-based MAC address. Some of these options provide a certain level of automation, while others require manual inputs.
DisplayLink outlines the available options within this knowledge base article --> LINK which for general reference is part of their broader 'Corporate Deployment' knowledge base category --> LINK
To be clear, since DisplayLink develops the software DisplayLink also supports the Corporate Deployment options directly.
Should additional assistance be required in regard to the Corporate Deployment options, please contact DisplayLink directly for further assistance --> LINK
Plugable also offers docking station products based on a variety of Realtek, Intel, and ASIX Ethernet network chipsets. For those products, the only option available is to manually configure a 'virtual' MAC address in a similar manner to what we described above.
However, please note that the description of the option to do so within Device Manager will vary. For example, for Intel Ethernet chipsets the option will be called, 'Locally Administered Address'. When using Realtek Ethernet chipsets the option will be called, 'Network Address'.
DisplayLink-Based Displays Running Slow? Here’s How to Improve Performance
Various factors can affect the performance of displays when using a DisplayLink-based Plugable docking station or USB graphics adapter. Some of these factors include the connection quality, USB bandwidth, driver versions, and display settings. The details below highlight some common causes of poor performance, but this is not an exhaustive list. If you are experiencing sub-optimal performance, try the following steps as a starting point.
1. Use the Original Host Cable
If your Plugable product has a detachable host cable, ensure that you are using the original cable that came with the product. Third-party cables may not support the necessary speeds or may be of lower quality, leading to performance issues.
2. Connect to an Appropriate USB Port
Connecting a product that requires higher speeds, like 5 or 10Gbps, to a lower-speed USB port (such as USB 2.0) can reduce available bandwidth and negatively impact performance. For best performance, ensure that your DisplayLink-based Plugable product is connected to a USB port on your computer that supports the required speed. For example, if using a USB 3.0 docking station (5Gbps), connect it to a USB port that supports 5Gbps or higher.
The required USB speed for each Plugable product is listed as the Version and Link Rate in the Connection to Host section of the product specifications on Plugable’s website.
3. Install the Latest DisplayLink Driver
Ensure that you have installed the latest DisplayLink driver from Plugable's website. While Windows Update can provide DisplayLink drivers automatically, they may not always be the latest version. If your driver was installed some time ago, a newer version that includes performance optimizations may be available.
- The latest DisplayLink drivers are available on the Downloads tab of the product page for your Plugable product, or at www.plugable.com/displaylink
- It’s recommended that you update the DisplayLink driver through a “clean” reinstallation. This involves removing the existing driver from the system using a specialized cleaning tool from Synaptics before installing the updated driver.
4. Set Display Refresh Rates to 60Hz
How to Change Display Refresh Rates
- A prompt will appear asking if you want to save the setting change. Select Keep changes
macOS:
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Displays in the sidebar.
- Select the display you want to adjust from the available options.
- Click the Refresh Rate dropdown and select 60Hz.
5. Connect Your Laptop to Power (If Applicable)
If your laptop is not able to charge from the DisplayLink device (i.e., if the device or your laptop does not support USB-C Power Delivery), ensure that your laptop is connected to a power supply. Some laptops reduce CPU performance when running on battery to conserve energy. Connecting a power supply allows the laptop to run at full performance, which can help improve the performance of the DisplayLink-based product.
6. Apply System Updates
Outdated BIOS, graphics drivers, or operating system versions can sometimes lead to reduced performance of DisplayLink-based products. Ensure that your system has the latest updates from its manufacturer to help maximize the performance of your DisplayLink-based device.
7. Reduce Dynamic Content On Screen
DisplayLink-based products are mainly intended for productivity applications like word processing, web browsing, and typical office tasks. If you use a DisplayLink-based dock or adapter for demanding applications with a lot of dynamic video content such as video games, CAD software, or video editing, you might encounter performance issues. These applications require higher graphical processing power and lower latency than DisplayLink technology is designed to support. For the best experience with these types of applications, a direct connection to a system's native graphics output is recommended.
If using multiple displays and/or a laptop screen, try keeping static content (like documents, emails, or spreadsheets) on DisplayLink-powered screens while reserving more dynamic applications for your main display.
How to Determine Your USB-C Port Video Capabilities
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Understanding your laptop's video output capabilities is essential when connecting to external displays. This guide will help you identify what video technologies your laptop supports and how to find the relevant information.
Common Video Output Technologies
Modern laptops commonly use one or more of the following technologies to transmit video to external monitors:
1. Thunderbolt 3
- Supports video output using the DisplayPort protocol.
- Capable of driving up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 5K display at 60Hz.
- Uses a USB-C connector and features a lightning bolt symbol next to the port.
Note: An example of Thunderbolt 3 ports
2. Thunderbolt 4
- Provides improved performance over Thunderbolt 3.
- Supports up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display.
- Uses a USB-C connector with the same lightning bolt symbol but may also include the number "4" for identification.
Note: Thunderbolt 4 has the same physical connection and “lightning” bolt icon as Thunderbolt 3
3. Thunderbolt 5 (As of 2024)
- Up to 80 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth (Double that of Thunderbolt 4’s 40 Gbps).
- Up to 120 Gbps bandwidth for displays (With Bandwidth Boost — 120 Gbps upstream and 40 Gbps downstream for display-intensive use cases).
- Support for dual 6K or 8K displays (Compared to Thunderbolt 4’s dual 4K support).
4. USB-C DisplayPort "Alt Mode"
- Allows video output directly through the USB-C port using DisplayPort technology.
- Commonly supports one 4K display at 60Hz, but capabilities may vary.
- Often marked with a DisplayPort ("DP") symbol, but this feature may also be specified in your system's documentation.
Note: An example of a USB-C port with DisplayPort capabilities
How to Identify Your Laptop's Video Capabilities
To determine what video technologies your laptop supports, follow these steps:
1. Check Your Laptop's User Manual:
- Locate your laptop's user manual (often available online from the manufacturer's support site).
- Search for keywords like "Thunderbolt," "DisplayPort Alt Mode," or "video output capabilities."
2. Visit the Manufacturer's Website:
- Go to the support page for your laptop model and find the technical specifications section.
- Look for details on Thunderbolt or USB-C video capabilities.
3. Inspect Your Laptop's Ports:
-
Check for identifying symbols next to USB-C ports:
- Thunderbolt 3/4 ports may have a lightning bolt symbol.
- DisplayPort Alt Mode may be marked with a "DP" icon.
“What if I do not have the above technologies?”: USB 3.0 (Type-A) and Display Expansion
While USB 3.0 (Type-A) ports do not support native video output, they can still be used to extend to two or more displays using software-based solutions like DisplayLink or Silicon Motion's InstantView. These technologies enable video through USB-A ports by utilizing dedicated drivers and software.
If your laptop lacks Thunderbolt or USB-C video capabilities, DisplayLink or InstantView may be a viable alternative for expanding your display setup. A few other things to consider:
- Not all USB-C ports support video output. Checking your laptop's documentation is crucial to confirm this capability.
- Thunderbolt ports are backward compatible with USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode but provide enhanced performance and flexibility.
If you have further questions about connecting your Plugable docking station or adapter to your laptop, please reach out to our support team for guidance.
Understanding Power Delivery vs. Pass-Through Power Delivery
When choosing a docking station or USB hub, it's important to understand the difference between Power Delivery (PD) and Pass-Through Power Delivery. While both terms refer to charging capabilities, they function differently and impact how power is distributed to connected devices.
What is Power Delivery (PD)?
USB Power Delivery (PD) is a fast-charging standard that allows devices to negotiate power levels dynamically. Key aspects include:
- Enables higher power transfer (up to 100W or more, depending on the device and cable).
- Ensures efficient charging by dynamically adjusting voltage and current.
- Commonly used in USB-C chargers, docking stations, and hubs that provide power directly to laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Example: A USB-C docking station with PD output can charge a connected laptop while simultaneously powering other peripherals. Additionally, these tend to come with their own AC adapter.
What is Pass-Through Power Delivery?
Pass-Through Power Delivery refers to a hub or docking station that does not generate power itself but instead allows power to pass through from an external power adapter. Key aspects include:
- Requires a dedicated power adapter (e.g., a USB-C PD laptop charger) plugged into the docking station or hub.
- Typically, a portion of the incoming power is allocated to the dock’s functionality (such as data transfer and peripheral connections), and the remaining power is sent to the connected laptop or device.
- May reduce the total power available to the laptop compared to direct charging.
Example: A USB-C hub with pass-through PD allows a laptop's original USB-C PD charger to be connected to the hub, which then distributes power to the laptop while also supporting external peripherals.
Choosing the Right Option
- If you need a docking station that can directly charge your laptop, look for one with dedicated Power Delivery (PD) support.
- If your laptop already has a high-wattage charger and you want to maintain power while expanding connectivity, a pass-through PD hub may be a better choice.
- Be mindful of power limitations with pass-through charging, as some hubs may reserve power for their own operation, reducing the power available for the laptop.
Some examples of hubs with PD pass-through would be our USBC-9IN1E with 140w pass-through charging or our smaller USBC-4IN1 with 100w pass-through.
On the flip side, we have our docking stations that power your devices by themselves. Examples such as our UD-7400PD which is capable of 140w of charge and 5 displays.
Understanding these differences will help ensure you select the right docking station or USB-C hub for your setup. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation, feel free to reach out to our support at support@plugable.com
The DisplayLink Manager is running on my Mac but my monitors are still blank. What can I do?
If you're using a DisplayLink-based Plugable product (dock or graphics adapter) with your Mac, you might encounter an issue where your external monitors remain blank. This can occur even though the DisplayLink Manager app is actively running. Additionally, the displays may not appear in your macOS Display Settings. A common cause is that the displays have unintentionally been "disabled" within the DisplayLink Manager.
How to fix it:
DisplayLink Manager 1.12 or later
- Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in your macOS menu bar at the top of your screen:
- Select the Displays tab
- Ensure the toggle next to each display is set to the On position:
- Once toggled on, your external monitors should immediately become active and appear in your macOS Display Settings.
DisplayLink Manager 1.11 or earlier
- Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in your macOS menu bar at the top of your screen:
- Locate your connected displays listed here, and ensure the toggle next to each display is set to the On position:
- Once toggled on, your external monitors should immediately become active and appear in your macOS Display Settings.
What information is helpful to provide when contacting Plugable support for assistance?
Here are a few things that you can do when contacting Plugable for assistance that can help expedite the process:
1. Provide a clear, detailed description of the issue, and if possible the steps necessary to recreate it
At first glance this may appear somewhat obvious, however a clear detailed description will help prevent our support engineers from making any incorrect assumptions.
If the unexpected behavior is repeatable, then a list of the steps necessary to recreate the issue will help provide us with important context.
2. Provide the model number of your Plugable product
All Plugable brand products have their model number or ‘stock keeping unit’ (aka SKU) printed somewhere on the product. For example, ‘UD-3900’ or ‘TBT4-UDZ’
When contacting us for assistance, providing the model number will help us route your request to the appropriate support engineer.
3. Provide the purchase information for your Plugable product, such as the Amazon Order ID number
Providing us with the order information for your purchase allows us to do two things:
A. Be sure that we understand precisely which product you are using (we make a lot of different products)
B. Help confirm the unit’s warranty status.
4. Provide us with a diagnostic file from your computer, gathered when the issue is actively occurring or just after the event
Rather than have our customers manually compile and provide information about their computer, we created the PlugDebug utility which automates the process of collecting various pieces of diagnostic information from both Windows and macOS systems.
A PlugDebug file gathered while the issue is occurring (or just after the issue has occurred) will provide important information that will allow us to help troubleshoot the issue.
5. If possible, photographs or a video of the issue
While not always necessary, in some cases having photographs of the problem and/or a video that documents the issue will allow us to ‘see’ what is happening, which in turn may help provide clues to the cause.
Now, to be clear it is not always necessary (nor is it required) to provide all of the information we described above in order for us to be of help. However, the more information we have available the faster are able to help.
As always, if you require assistance with a Plugable product please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist.
What kind of power adapters come with Plugable products, and how can they be used in different parts of the world?
Introduction
At Plugable, we make a lot of different products that can help make your computing efforts more efficient and productive.
Many of those products (such as our extensive line of docking stations → LINK) require an external power adapter in order to function.
In the course of helping our customers, we often receive questions in regard to what type of power adapter is included with the product and how those power adapters can be used in different parts of the world.
This knowledge base article will help answer those questions.
Power Adapter Types
To put it simply, in general there are two types of power adapters included with a Plugable product.
WALL PLUG
The first type is typically referred to as a ‘wall plug’ or in some cases as a ‘wall wart’ due to its size being larger than that of a standard electrical plug.
This is a small AC to DC power adapter that is completely self contained and plugs directly into an electrical power outlet.
For example, here are photos of the ‘wall plug’ included in the box with the Plugable UD-6950Z docking station.
UD-6950Z U.S. Style Wall Plug Power Adapter:
UD-6950Z U.S Style Wall Plug Power Adapter with Prong removed:
Most ‘wall plug’ style power adapters included with Plugable products support all of the electrical voltages and electrical frequencies used throughout the world.
Note, you can double-check the specifications by looking at the label printed on the wall plug power adapter, or by reviewing the ‘Power’ specifications located on each Plugable product page.
However, the electrical ‘prong’ (the small plastic piece that provides the blades that insert into the electrical power outlet) included with the wall plug will only be for the country in which the product was sold.
To put that another way and using the aforementioned UD-6950Z as an example, if the UD-6950Z is purchased from Amazon.com within the United States, the electrical prong included with the wall plug power adapter will be for a United States style power outlet only.
If the wall plug power adapter needs to be used in a different part of the world, a small inexpensive ‘travel style’ adapter that converts the United States style plug to the local plug type is required.
POWER ADAPTER BRICK
The second type is typically referred to simply as a ‘power adapter’ or by some as a ‘power adapter brick’.
The power adapter is a combination of two separate components. One component is the power adapter itself, which is typically rectangular in shape and why some people refer to it as a ‘brick’.
The second component is the power cable that connects to the power brick. This cable has an electrical wall plug on one end and an industry standard connector on the opposite end.
Looking at two different example power adapters will allow us to expand further.
Let’s look at the power adapter and power cable for our TBT4-UDZ Thunderbolt 4 docking station:
Within the power adapter brick, there is a female inlet:
On one end of the power cable, there is an electrical wall plug.
On the opposite end of the power cable, there is a male connector. This connector will be inserted into the power brick.
There is an international standard that governs the shapes and sizes of the connectors in use, specifically IEC 60320 → LINK
In this example, the male connector on the end of the power cable is known as a ‘C5’ connector:
In this example, the female inlet is known as a ‘C6’ connector.
Some refer to this type of connection as a ‘Mickey Mouse’ connection, because the overall shape of the connector visually resembles the outline of a silhouette of the cartoon character Mickey Mouse.
Now, let’s look at the power adapter and power cable for our USB4-HUB3A Thunderbolt 4 hub.
Within the power adapter brick, there is a female inlet:
On one end of the power cable, there is an electrical wall plug.
On the opposite end of the power cable, there is a male connector. This connector will be inserted into the power brick.
Note that the shapes on the inlet and connector are different as compared to the TBT4-UDZ example we looked at previously, however as was the case before the IEC 60320 standard governs the design.
In this example, the male connector on the end of the power cable is known as a ‘C13’ connector.
In this example, the female inlet is known as a ‘C14’ connector.
While the cables are different, the benefit of both cables being based on a common standard is that replacement cables for use in different parts of the world can typically be sourced locally.
Most Plugable power adapters support the electrical frequency and electrical voltages used throughout the world.
Note, you can double-check the specifications by looking at the label printed on the wall plug power adapter, or by reviewing the ‘Power’ specifications located on each Plugable product page.
If necessary, the power cable can be replaced with a different one with the necessary wall plug in order to use the product in different parts of the world.
Note, when replacing the cable with a different one please be sure to purchase a cable from a reputable brand and that also meets the electrical specifications printed on the power adapter.
Summary
In summary, there are two different types of power adapters included with Plugable products and the power adapters support the electrical voltage and frequency used throughout the world.
However, the plug that inserts into the power outlet will be specific to the region in which the product was sold.
If a wall plug type power adapter is in use, then a ‘travel style’ adapter is needed to convert the power adapter for use in a different part of the world.
If a power adapter brick is in use, then an industry standard replacement power cable can be used to convert the power adapter brick for use in a different part of the world.
Should you have any additional questions, please reach out to us via support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist you further.
Can I connect this product to a computer's Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 port?
Many users assume that USB-C devices can work with older Thunderbolt 2 Macs if they use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, such as the one made by Apple. However, this is not the case. These adapters are specifically designed to support Thunderbolt devices only - not standard USB-C peripherals.
While Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C share the same connector type, they use different underlying data protocols. Non-Thunderbolt USB-C devices, rely on USB standards for data and power. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not carry USB signals; it only passes Thunderbolt data. Because of this, plugging a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 2 Mac using this adapter will not work - the computer will not detect or communicate with the device.
If you need to connect peripherals to a Thunderbolt 2 system, we recommend using a USB-A dock or hub (if available on your system). This ensures compatibility without relying on unsupported adapter chains.
In short, even though the connectors may fit, USB-C devices are not compatible with Thunderbolt 2 Macs via Thunderbolt adapters - only Thunderbolt devices will work in that setup.
Can I use a DisplayLink-based Dock or USB Graphics Adapter with my Desktop computer?
Yes, DisplayLink-based docking stations and USB graphics adapters can be used with desktop computers. However, for reliable performance, there's an important setup recommendation to follow.
Best Practice: Connect at Least One Monitor Directly to the Desktop
DisplayLink relies in part on your computer’s graphics processor (GPU) to function properly. On desktop systems, the GPU may not fully engage unless a display is connected directly to a native graphics output (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA).
If no direct connection exists, DisplayLink displays may show issues such as monitors not lighting up consistently.
Why This Happens
DisplayLink compresses and transmits display data over USB, but still depends on the system GPU to render content. When no monitor is connected directly to the GPU, the system may not initialize it correctly, leading to DisplayLink driver issues.
For a full technical overview, check out our Blog post: What is DisplayLink Technology, and How Does It Work?
Check Port Compatibility
Before connecting your DisplayLink product, make sure your desktop has the appropriate ports to support it:
- USB-C docks that require DisplayPort Alt Mode (e.g., some triple-display docks) need a USB-C port with video output capability.
- USB 3.0 graphics adapters or docks should be connected to a USB 3.0 port for best performance.
- If using older USB 2.0 ports, video performance will be limited.
Check your product and computer’s specifications to confirm port type and capabilities before setup.
Recommended Setup for Desktop Use
DO:
- Connect at least one monitor directly to the desktop’s native GPU output.
- Use DisplayLink displays as additional screens for expanding your workspace.
AVOID:
- Using only DisplayLink-connected displays with no direct GPU connection.
This setup ensures your graphics hardware is active and that DisplayLink drivers can function as intended.
Why Isn’t My Plugable Dock Charging My Laptop?
If your Plugable docking station isn’t charging your laptop, it’s usually due to one of a few common causes. This guide offers some diagnostic checks you can perform to help pinpoint the issue.
Check if Your Dock Supports USB-C Power Delivery
Not all docks charge laptops. Docks fall into three categories:
- Built-in Power Delivery (PD): These include an AC power adapter and can provide 60W, 85W, or 100W to your laptop. A list of Plugable docking stations with built-in Power Delivery can be found here.
- PD Passthrough: These compact docks require a separate USB-C charger plugged into the dock to pass power through to your laptop. A list of Plugable docking stations with PD Passthrough can be found here.
- Host Charging Unsupported: Some docks do not offer any host charging functionality. These are designed solely for display expansion, data, or peripherals.
Tip: Check your Plugable dock’s product specifications for Power Delivery or charging support. If no charging is listed, the dock may not charge your laptop, and the system would need to be powered separately.
Verify the Dock’s Power Source
For your dock to charge your laptop, it needs to be adequately powered itself.
Check:
- Are you using the original Plugable AC adapter for a built-in PD dock?
- For PD passthrough docks, is your USB-C charger powerful enough for your laptop?
- Are you using a reputable, certified charger - not a low-wattage third-party adapter?
Use a Compatible USB-C to USB-C Host Cable
Cable issues can be a common cause of charging problems.
Check:
- Are you using the USB-C to USB-C cable that came with your Plugable dock? This can be identified through its included cable tag.
- If not, does your replacement cable explicitly support USB PD or Thunderbolt?
- Are you accidentally using a USB-C to USB-A cable, which cannot deliver charging to laptops?
- Could the cable be data-only or rated for lower wattage?
Confirm Your Laptop Supports USB-C or Thunderbolt Charging
Even with a PD-capable dock and cable, your laptop must support charging over the USB-C or Thunderbolt port in use.
Common compatibility issues:
- Some USB-C ports are data/video-only.
- Some laptops support charging only through a specific USB-C port.
- Gaming and enterprise laptops often use proprietary power adapters.
Tip: Check your laptop’s specifications or user manual for “USB-C charging” or “Power Delivery (PD) input” support.
Try a Hard Reset
Sometimes, a failed handshake between the dock and laptop prevents charging.
To reset the connection:
- Disconnect the dock from both your laptop and its power source.
- Wait 30–60 seconds.
- Reconnect power to the dock first, then reconnect it to your laptop.
This often resolves temporary communication issues that block charging.
Update Drivers and Firmware
System-level software can directly impact charging behavior - especially on newer laptops and docks.
Update:
- Your laptop’s BIOS or UEFI
- USB-C and Thunderbolt controller firmware and drivers
Tip: Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support site and search by model for the latest system updates.
Compare Power Requirements
If your laptop demands more power than the dock can supply, it may not charge - or may charge very slowly.
Check:
- What wattage does your original laptop charger provide? (Usually printed on the power adapter.)
- What is the maximum PD output your Plugable dock can provide?
- Does your laptop still slowly discharge while docked under heavy use?
Tip: For especially power-hungry laptops (like gaming or workstation models), consider connecting the laptop’s original charger along with the dock to ensure the laptop charges at full speed
Related: Overcoming Power Challenges: Efficiently Charging High-Demand Laptops While Docking
Does my UD-3900C4 need updated firmware?
The UD-3900C4 generally does not require the firmware to be updated. However, if you are experiencing specific video-related issues via the HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 (Alt Mode) ports and have already tried standard troubleshooting steps (such as operating system, device driver, and UEFI / firmware updates to the host system), updating to the latest dock firmware may help.
Examples of possible video-related issues that updating to the new firmware may help with:
- Display instability such as intermittent flickering/flashing/black screen via HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 (Alt Mode MST ports)
- Display not detected after waking from sleep (or is detected but no image is displayed) via HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 (Alt Mode MST ports)
Note: Updating the dock firmware will not help with video issues via HDMI 1 or 2 (DisplayLink USB graphics-based ports) or other non-video related issues. If you are experiencing other problems, please contact us at support@plugable.com, and we'll be happy to assist.
To perform the firmware update, you’ll need access to a Windows 10 or Windows 11 system equipped with a USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, 4, 5, or USB4 port. (Please note: The host USB-C ports must support DisplayPort Alt Mode for the update process to work.)
The firmware update cannot be performed on a Mac system or a Linux system. If you do not have access to a compatible Windows system to perform the firmware update, please get in touch with us for assistance.
Please follow these PDF instructions to download and perform the firmware update: UD-3900C4 Firmware Update Guide
If you encounter any issues during the firmware update process or have any additional questions, please contact us at support@plugable.com, and we'll be happy to assist.
What is the maximum length Thunderbolt cable that can be used to connect a Plugable Thunderbolt docking station to the host computer?
All Thunderbolt docking stations include the appropriate Thunderbolt cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable Thunderbolt host cables that are included with Plugable Thunderbolt docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable Thunderbolt cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long Thunderbolt host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from Plugable. An example of such a cable is the Plugable TBT4-40G2M cable
Plugable does NOT support using Thunderbolt host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product.
Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of Thunderbolt extension cable or any type of signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Please note, Plugable can only guarantee the performance and compatibility of Plugable brand cables.
What is the maximum length cable that can be used to connect a Plugable USB-C docking station to the host computer?
All Plugable USB-C docking stations include the appropriate USB-C cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable USB-C host cables that are included with Plugable USB-C docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable brand USB-C cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long USB-C host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from a 3rd-party.
We recommend purchasing a cable that matches or exceeds the specifications of the original Plugable cable and purchasing said cable from both a well known and reliable brand.
Plugable does offer a 1.0 meter long USB-C extension cable (USBC-METER3-1MF) that can be used in conjunction with our USB-C docking stations. This extension cable can be combined with the original 1.0 meter long Plugable USB-C cable included in the box with the docking station to extend the overall cable length to 2.0 meters.
Plugable does NOT support using USB-C host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product. Additionally, Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of 3rd-party USB-C extension cable or signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Do I need to approve or authenticate Thunderbolt devices when I connect them to my Windows or Mac computer?
Overview
For most modern Windows and Mac systems, Thunderbolt devices are automatically approved and will ‘just work’ once connected.
The main exception is Apple Mac laptops with Apple CPUs running macOS Ventura (13) or newer, where you’ll be prompted to manually approve the device the first time you connect it.
The summary table below provides the specific details at a glance, and the text that follows explains the table in more detail.
Thunderbolt Approval / Authentication Summary Table
Why Authentication Exists
To expand further, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 are in essence external connections to the host computer’s internal PCI Express bus. This type of low-level and high speed connection warranted security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to user data.
Windows: From Intel Software to Native OS Support
When Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems were first introduced in late 2015 it was necessary to use Intel Thunderbolt software to manually authenticate and approve external Thunderbolt devices.
With the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 Windows systems in 2020, it was still necessary to have Intel Thunderbolt software installed on the host computer. However, in most cases the authentication and approval process would happen automatically greatly simplifying the process.
Starting with Windows 11 version 21H2 released in October of 2021, Microsoft integrated support for both USB4 and Thunderbolt into the Windows operating system → LINK
This means that with most modern Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 computers running the latest version of Windows 11 it is no longer necessary to install Intel Thunderbolt software on the host computer in order to manage Thunderbolt devices. In most cases, the authentication and approval process will still happen automatically.
macOS: From Intel CPUs to Apple CPUs
When Thunderbolt 3 Mac systems with Intel CPUs were first introduced in 2016, the authentication and approval mechanism was built-in to macOS and was transparent to the end user.
Apple introduced Mac computers based on Apple CPUs in 2020. Macs based on Apple CPUs running macoS 11 Big Sur or macOS 12 Monterey would automatically approve and authenticate Thunderbolt devices when connected.
macOS 13 Ventura was released in 2022 and for portable Macs with Apple CPUs Apple introduced a feature known as ‘Accessory Security’ (also known as ‘Restricted Mode’) → LINK
By default, portable Macs (i.e. laptops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS will require the end user to authenticate and approve a Thunderbolt device when initially connected.
Stationary Macs (i.e. desktops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
Apple Macs with Intel CPUs (both laptop and desktops) running macOS 13 Ventura or newer do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
