HP ENVY Notebook 13-ab002no Failure to Connect 2nd Monitor via USB-C to HDMI

[Fredster3]

Hi,

I want to connect a second external monitor to my HP Envy laptop, so that I can work with 2 external monitors. I have already connected 1 via the internal HDMI port, which works perfectly fine. However, I only have 1 HDMI port, so I purchased a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect to the 2nd monitor, but it isn't working, and I am trying to figure out if it is the adapter or the USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port on my laptop that is the problem. When I connect to the laptop I get the following error message prompt: "Screen connectivity might be limited", and I am redirected to the following Microsoft Support page: https://support.microsoft.com/nb-no/help/4012609/windows-10-fix-usb-c-problems#connectionlimited .

Here's some product info:

• My laptop is a HP ENVY Notebook 13-ab0XX,  more precisely a 13-ab002no, product specification can be found here:  https://support.hp.com/lv-en/document/c05359055#AbT0
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-biters Versjon: 18363.1082
• Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7500U CPU @ 2.70GHz
• System memory: 8GB
• 1: 4GB Samsung 1867MHz
• 2: 4GB Samsung 1867MHz
• System card: 82B9 KBC Version 03.20
• System-BIOS: F.24
• All drivers up to date according to HP Support Assistant, moreover the adapter requires no drivers and is supposed to a plug-and-play device.  Here's the adapter: https://eu.targus.com/products/usb-c-to-hdmi-adaptor-black-aca933eu 
• The monitor is a Samsung S24E450 display

Attempted troubleshooting:

• HP Hardware Diagnostics, without any luck
• All drivers are up to date, according to HP Support Assistant
• No major recent hardware or software updates
• The product spec for my laptop (see link above) does not specify if the USB-C port has DP Alt mode (the only adapter requirement) or if it is Data Transfer Only (I have seen this is a typical reply for many similar laptops on the community, but according to HP, it should work with USB-C 3.1 Gen1, see for instance https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04723006 )
• Moreover, according to Intel, the Graphics card should be able to handle 3 displays (i.e. 2 external monitors in addition to the laptop)

Both monitors and the HDMI cables work perfectly fine when connected to the internal HDMI port, so I know for a fact that both the monitor and the HDMI cable is not the issue. Regarding the adapter, I cannot connect my Samsung Galaxy S8 to it either. I have seen that many HP ENvy 13 laptops have USB-C that does not support Alt mode, such that it won't work with any USB-C to HDMI adapter.

SO MY QUESTION IS:  Does this go for my laptop too? Or should I attempt purchasing another adapter to see if that works? Or is that a waste of time and money? Unfortunately, I do not have any other USB-C devices than my phone I can troubleshoot with. If my laptop USB-C port is incompatible, how can I work around that to have a setup with 2 external monitors (in extended view, of course)? I have already acquired 2 monitors and would like to be able to use both. 

Thanks for any help. Spent 6 hours trying to figure this out on my own yesterday without any luck.

Best,

Fredster

[Echo_Lake]

@Fredster3

Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help,
Since you have already tried most of the troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue, let us perform these steps: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04641829 Using Two or More Monitors with One Computer (Windows 10, 😎 If the issue persists, please contact our HP Support team for Service Options. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link:  www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance. Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[Fredster3]

Thanks, but the link you posted is based on the proviso that the screen is detected in such a way that the video signal can be transmitted. It does not, that's the problem. Please read my original post carefully, and answer my question: does my USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port have DP alt mode? I.e. is the problem the port or the adapter? If it's the adapter, can you recommend a product that will work?

Best,

Fredster

[praveen196]

@Fredster3

I understand your concerns.

I have checked the manual ( page number 6)

USB Type-C charging port When the computer is on, connects and charges a USB device that has a Type-C connector, such as a cell phone, camera, activity tracker, or smartwatch, and provides data transfer.

It is not possible to connect the external devices.

I would suggets you purchase the HDMI splitter. It may work,

Have a nice day!!