Docking Station Not Displaying From Laptop
Summary
The monitors that are attached to the docking station connect by DisplayPort (DP) cables or HDMI cables. In some circumstances, the docking station may use both, but most are set up to use both DP video cables. When your laptop is docked but no display is showing, there could be many reasons why. The most common cause is a loose connection somewhere or a change in settings. Sometimes a reboot fixes the issue. Below are some basic instructions taken from Dell's website on things to try.
Instructions
Instructional videos are found here.
The videos are divided up to help narrow down the issue. It also gives users visual references to look for.
There is a Dell Troubleshooting link at the bottom of this article if you want to go by their steps, but for ease, we've made the list simpler.
- Restart your computer according to our instructions: https://nobis.freshservice.com/support/solutions/articles/16000073728
- Check all the cables in the docking station and ensure it is properly seated. Just because a cable may look connected, it may not be in all the way.
- Check the cables in the monitor. There are generally two: One for power and the other for the video signal. If there is a third, it's most likely a USB cable. Ensure cables are properly seated.
- Ensure the monitors are on. There should be an indicator light. You should see a Dell logo on the screen as well. If the light is flashing, it's most likely on power standby.
- Unplug power from the docking station. It's a round cable on the back-side next to the network cable. Leave it unplugged for 30 seconds then plug it in.
- Redock the docking station to your laptop. You should see a white light on the USB C cable. You should also hear an audible sound from your computer that it detected a device. One of the monitors should turn on.
- If nothing is still displaying, is your laptop lid open or closed? Try opening the lid. A "Lid" setting may be telling the computer to "Sleep" if the lid is closed. There is a lid setting by typing "Lid" in the search bar in your taskbar. Change it to "Do nothing" when the lid is closed on power. This is a personal preference, so if you don't utilize the screen when docked, this setting is for you.
! If the instructional videos did not work, then it's possible the monitor disconnected itself through settings. Please check the settings below and make the necessary changes. If you need IT involved with this step, please let us know.
1. Right-click anywhere on the background of your desktop and go to "Display Settings."
2. In this example, we see three boxes. Box 1 is active and most likely the laptop. Boxes 2 and 3 are your external monitors and showing inactive because it's greyed out. Click on the boxes representing your monitor(s). In this scenario, monitors 2 and 3 are smaller and inactive. This means the computer sees it, but hasn't applied settings for it. Click on 2 or 3 in this example to make the change. You'll need to do this twice if you have a dual monitor setup. Do this for each inactive monitor.
3. Scroll down to find "Multiple displays" and click on the drop-down. Please note that if it shows "Disconnect this display", it is the reason why the monitor(s) aren't extended.
4. Choose "Extend desktop to this display." A window will prompt you to "Keep Changes". Go ahead and click on Keep Changes. You're done.
You may need to adjust the boxes on step two to orientate the view.
Link to Dell's website: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000131784/how-to-use-and-troubleshoot-dell-docking-station-wd19