Will my laptop support dual monitors

[LindaB666]

I have an 6 week old HP 14-dk0011na full-HD laptop, purchased to allow me to work from home during the Covid-19 crisis.

I subsequently ordered two E223 monitors from HP to compliment my laptop and to allow me to work in a similar setup to that in the office.

One monitor connected fine - via the HDMI port.  However, there was no second HDMI port, so I ordered a gadget from Amazon to adapt the USB C port to a dual HDMI port.  This did not work with the monitors.  To try, I used an old monitor that did work with the laptop and one of the new E223 monitors received (just in case I have to send one back).

The virtual assistant and help pages available on the HP website are of no use.

Can anyone advise me? 

Thanks for your time.

[TryToDoMybest]

Hello

in Windows 10 , do you press WIndows Key + P , in order to open a menu on the right side of the internal monitor , then chose "Extend" ?

bye

[LindaB666]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Yes, I have tried that.  I can get each of the monitors to individually connect with the extended display, but when I try to use two monitors (plus the laptop), that is where the problems start.  I can connect wireless to a smart tv in the same room, just not via a cable to two monitors at the same time.

[TryToDoMybest]

Hello

I never used an USB-C to DUAL HDMI dongle. SO i have no experience if they work fine or not.

Tha graphics card included int oAMD Ryzen 5 3500U should support up to 4 displays , including the internal one (according to what I read on wikipedia).

bye

[LindaB666]

That is a great help, thank you.  Will see if I can find an HDMI splitter or similar (and send the dongle back).

This is my first time using one of these chat facilities and the experience has been positive, so thanks again.

[TryToDoMybest · Accepted solution]

I used , with other computers , an HP USB-C to HDMI dongle.

Not all USB-C ports are able to support video signal.

some USB-C ports are basic, it means that it's equivalent to an USB 3.1 Type A port but with USB-C connector. Basci USB-C ports doesn't support USB-C-to-HMI dongle. so a display will never work with a basic USB-C port.

then there are USB-C ports supporting Video signal (displayPort) and PowerDelivery (it means you can charge the notebook battery via USB-C port if you have an USB-C Power Supply).

your is a consumer product , and I found very difficult to find detailed informations.

this morning (in Euope) I found this information, at this link: https://www.johnlewis.com/hp-14-14-dk0011na-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-processor-8gb-256gb-ssd-14-full-hd-na...

1x HDMI; 1x headphone/microphone combo; 1x RJ-45; 1x USB 3.1 Type-C (Data transfer only, 5 Gb/s signaling rate); 1x AC smart pin; 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (Data Transfer Only)

and it seems you notebook has a basic USB-C port and not able to support a video cable using a simple USB-C-to-HDMI adapter.

what you need is an external device including a graphics card. such external device may be connected via USB or USB-C has need a specific driver.  

For example there are products with a DisplayLink graphics card.

So if you really need to add another external monitor buy an external graphics device that uses a DisplayLink graphic card.

bye

[LindaB666]

TryToDoMyBest - I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into answering my query.

I now have a definitive answer and shall arrange to return the second monitor and the dongle.

Thank you again.