HP Laptop 15 won't provide power to or recognize S1 external monitor

[MattClueless]

My HP Laptop 15-fd0107dx will not provide power to or otherwise recognize my S1 external monitor.

BEFORE YOU ASK:   The issue is NOT due to any defective or unplugged connectors or ports.  Using other devices, I have verified that all of the ports on my HP laptop and the S1 external monitor are functional.  Also using other devices, I have verified that all of the different optional cables (USB as well as others) that can be used to connect the external monitor to a laptop are also fully intact & functional.  So please don't advise me to first check my plugs and cords.  Already done that.  

Nor is the S1 monitor defective; I have connected it to a Dell Latitude 5520 running Windows 10 Enterprise today to test it, and it works perfectly on that machine.

In addition, I have successfully connected my HP Laptop 15 to a different (large, non-portable) external monitor, and it works fine with THAT monitor.  So it's not as though the HP Laptop has any GENERAL issue with having an external monitor connected to it.   The issue is specific to this model of monitor (which, again, works fine with other laptop computers).

Finally, in case it may aid in diagnosis,

1)  When I press the power button on the external monitor, it briefly flashes (probably from residual internal battery) a message “No cable”, even though I’m using the same cable that works just fine when connected to the Dell laptop.  That suggests to me that it's not getting power or data through the cable connected to my HP laptop (even though, again, the same cable works fine when the external monitor is connected to a different laptop).

2) On my HP Laptop 15’s screen, when the Si external monitor is plugged in to the Laptop, I get a periodic Windows Explorer popup message that reads, “The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.”  Of course, the device (i.e., the monitor) is not 'malfunctioning' in the sense of not working at all, because, again, I just tested it by connecting to a different (Dell) laptop, and it worked fine.  It's only 'malfunctioning' in the sense that it isn't working with my HP Laptop 15, and I want to find out why.

So, I deduce that there is some sort of either software or hardware issue – driver incompatibility, or hidden setting, or some other issue – within the HP Laptop 15 that is preventing it from working with an S1 external monitor. 

However, I am NOT an IT professional, and have no clue what to do.  I need answers to the following questions: 

• Is there some software or hardware fix that can be made to enable my HP Laptop 15 to work with the S1 external monitor -- either some sort of driver update or patch, or the use of some kind of external docking station that I could buy -- in order to allow it to work with the S1 monitor? 
• If the answer to the above question is “No,” then can anyone recommend any portable/lightweight (snap-on) external monitor that is available on the market and is known to be compatible with the HP Laptop 15 running Windows 11?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @MattClueless,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

That is an excellent description and a great diagnosis. It is greatly appreciated.            

This might require one-on-one interaction to fix the issue over the phone. 

For that to happen, we will give you additional instructions/information via Private Message.

Please check your inbox on the forums page for the private message.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[MattClueless]

Thanks.  Actually, I did some more research and figured out a work-around:

I checked the specs, and apparently the USB-C port on my version of the HP 15 Laptop isn't designed with capability to send adequate power to an S1 portable monitor.  The work-around is to connect the monitor directly to a power source (in my case, it works with my Android phone charger, which plugs into a C port), and connect the monitor to the laptop using another USB cable.  

So, for anyone else reading this, you CAN use an S1 portable monitor with the HP 15 Laptop, as long as you have an open electrical outlet available to connect the power source for the monitor.

Have a great day, folks.