Does not operate my "third" USB-C monitor

[jonhsiung]

I tried to simplify my setup to go from 3 cords (power, USB-C to dock, USB-C to monitor 3) to 1 cord (powered USB-C to dock) by buying this new powered dock, but now my setup does not activate monitor 3, neither on the dock nor when connected directly to the laptop. In previous setup, it operates all four monitors just fine.

Two thoughts:

1. I suppose this USB-C travel monitor #3 does not connect directly through the dock to work.
2. But why does it also not work anymore when connected directly to the laptop? Is it because once the HP laptop has a powered connection it can’t take another USB-C monitor?

Equipment:
Laptop: HP Firefly G7, 16GB RAM, Core i7 vPro i7-10610U @ 1.80GhZ, 2.30 GHz. OS: Win 10 Enterprise
Connection (previous & new): USB-C to dock
Connection (previous): USB-C to monitor 3
Connection (previous): A/C adapter connection to power

Old Dock: Plugable UD-6950H
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRSH25X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

New Dock: Plugable TBT4-UDZ
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQJWKBMF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Monitor 1: Dell S3221QS (32" 4K); connection on HDMI cable
Monitor 2: Dell S3221QS (32" 4K); connection on HDMI cable
Monitor 3: HP 14 E14 G4 Portable Monitor; connection on USB-C cable, direct to laptop
https://www.amazon.com/HP-14-E14-Portable-Monitor/dp/B08LBR1DL4
Monitor 4: note the laptop lid stays open to operate as the fourth monitor.

[Evan_K]

Hello jonhsiung,

Thank you for reaching out on the forums!

This sounds like a potential issue of compatibility here. Given that your laptop has an Intel 10th Gen processor, this likely means that your laptop supports Thunderbolt 3. Most Thunderbolt 3 laptops will only support a maximum of 2x displays across all Thunderbolt 3 ports on the host, so if both monitors are connected via the dock, then you will likely not be able to connect an additional display to the other Thunderbolt 3 port. This is often the case with Thunderbolt 4 hosts as well, but Thunderbolt 4 hosts are able to achieve 4x displays on the dock itself using a technology called DisplayPort MST.

All this to say that we unfortunately do not expect this setup to allow connecting an additional USB-C monitor.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Thank you,

Evan

Plugable Technologies

www.plugable.com/support