SUMMARY OF MY ISSUE:
I was traveling for a couple of weeks and was using my personal laptop without any external monitors. When I got home last week, I was unable to connect the PC to external monitors anymore. As soon as I try to connect to an external monitor, the connection doesn't happen and the built-in screen on my laptop goes black for a second and then starts flashing rapidly until I disconnect from the docking station and/or external monitor. I know the issue is with the laptop, not with the monitors because my work laptop is able to connect to the same monitors without issue.
CONNECTION:
In the past, I would connect my personal laptop to a VisionTek USB Dual 4K Universal docking station via USB-C cable (my laptop is very slim and only has USB-C ports.) The external monitor would be connected to the docking station via HDMI. As noted above: I'm still having this problem when not using the docking station and instead connecting laptop-to-external-monitor directly (via USB-C to HDMI adapter)
HERE'S WHAT I'VE TRIED DOING:
OTHER NOTES:
SPECS ON MY PERSONAL LAPTOP:
VIDEO:
Video of the screen flickering (immediately after connecting to the port) is included here.
SPECS ON ME:
I was traveling for a couple of weeks and was using my personal laptop without any external monitors. When I got home last week, I was unable to connect the PC to external monitors anymore. As soon as I try to connect to an external monitor, the connection doesn't happen and the built-in screen on my laptop goes black for a second and then starts flashing rapidly until I disconnect from the docking station and/or external monitor. I know the issue is with the laptop, not with the monitors because my work laptop is able to connect to the same monitors without issue.
CONNECTION:
In the past, I would connect my personal laptop to a VisionTek USB Dual 4K Universal docking station via USB-C cable (my laptop is very slim and only has USB-C ports.) The external monitor would be connected to the docking station via HDMI. As noted above: I'm still having this problem when not using the docking station and instead connecting laptop-to-external-monitor directly (via USB-C to HDMI adapter)
HERE'S WHAT I'VE TRIED DOING:
- Setting laptop to a restore point of a couple of weeks ago when I knew this wasn't an issue
- Making sure all drivers on the laptop are updated (they are -- I use the Driver Easy program to verify this regularly)
- Tried connecting directly to the external monitor (not using the docking station), by using a USB-C to HDMI adapter -- the same flickering issue and inability to connect happens
- Using the same docking station and/or cables to connect my work laptop to the same external monitors -- all the monitors are working -- so that's why I assume the issue is with my personal laptop
- Tried connecting to the external monitor wirelessly -- this worked, but I want to do a hard-wired connection for better resolution / image quality
OTHER NOTES:
- Note: the USB-C ports do still recognize the power cord when plugged into them
- The laptop is out of its extended service warranty now.
- Honestly, except for this issue, it still works okay, so I'm hoping there's a fix for this issue as I'd prefer to wait a bit before upgrading.
SPECS ON MY PERSONAL LAPTOP:
- Machine: Dell XPS 13 9380
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
- Memory: 16 GB
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8565U CPU @ 1.80GHz
- Motherboard: Dell Inc - 0KTW76
- Video Card(s): Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Hard Disk: PM981 NVMe Samsung 1024GB (1.0 TB)
- Network Card: Killer Wireless - n/a/ac 1435 Wireless Network Adapter
VIDEO:
Video of the screen flickering (immediately after connecting to the port) is included here.
SPECS ON ME:
- I'm a 42-year old liberal arts major
- I'm not in tech, IT, or any STEM fields -- so, feel free to dumb it down for me -- I won't be offended!
