Issue With Dual Monitors On Laptop

So, this is the setup:
Laptop - HP ProBook 465 G11 Notebook PC
OS - Windows 11 Pro (up-to-date)
Hub - HP USB-C Dock G5
Monitors - (2) 27in Asus
Monitors, Audio, Network all run through the Hub. Laptop connects to the Hub.

Up until a month or so ago, this setup was working as it should... sit down, connect laptop to the Hub and all (3) monitors worked and flowed well. Then something happened... the second external monitor stopped working. Tried various things, different cords, different Hub - nothing is working.
I thought maybe a power setting needs to be changed but now I am wondering if there was a Windows update that is causing a problem.

Here is the added bonus, have a another laptop with dual monitors same setup - it, too, has run into similar issue with external monitors not firing up properly like they did initially.

Anyone else run into this sort of problem? Anyone have a thought?
Thanks in advance....
BGunn

 

Did you try switching/swapping the monitors between ports to make sure the/a monitor isn't the problem?

When you tried different hubs, did you boot the computer WITHOUT the hub(s) connected & then plug in the hub and then plug in each additional device one at a time making sure each is recognized before plugging in the next device? (even going so far as to changing the order each device is connected)?

Can and/or is there a way you can check to see IF your Win 11 recently updated?

Have you tried to restore Win 11 back to a restore point that is PRIOR to your one monitor being out to see IF that MIGHT correct the problem?

Outside of Win 11 has ANY installed software/apps, Drivers been recently updated?

Have you installed any software/apps recently or even just before the problem showed up?

I don't know Win 11 to know IF these settings options are the same or similar to Win 7 or not, but have you checked the monitor settings in Win 11 to make sure ALL 3 monitors are "On"/selected to be active? How do you have the monitors set to function in relation to the Main Desktop? Is each monitor displaying different things/desktops?

Do you know IF there is any Monitor(s) settings in BIOS on the laptops? Is it possible the BIOS could have updated and/or settings changed without you knowing? Maybe the BIOS Backup batteries died on both causing loss of settings (I know this is a very remote possibility happining to 2 computers at the same time but still possible).

 

D.H.:

Did you try switching/swapping the monitors between ports to make sure the/a monitor isn't the problem?
>>> Yes. Switched monitors. Cables.

Can and/or is there a way you can check to see IF your Win 11 recently updated?
>>> Yes. Everything is up-to-date. I even gave thought to it being an update that threw it into it's current state.

Have you tried to restore Win 11 back to a restore point that is PRIOR to your one monitor being out to see IF that MIGHT correct the problem?
>>> No. Did not think of that but at this point it might be too far back to try this one.

Outside of Win 11 has ANY installed software/apps, Drivers been recently updated?
>>> No. Not that I know of.

Have you installed any software/apps recently or even just before the problem showed up?
>>> No. Again, if anything installed or updated, it was Windows.

When you tried different hubs, did you boot the computer WITHOUT the hub(s) connected & then plug in the hub and then plug in each additional device one at a time making sure each is recognized before plugging in the next device? (even going so far as to changing the order each device is connected)?
>>> In a way, I have tried this but might circle back and try how you phrased to see if that has some merit.

I don't know Win 11 to know IF these settings options are the same or similar to Win 7 or not, but have you checked the monitor settings in Win 11 to make sure ALL 3 monitors are "On"/selected to be active?
>>> Yes. Have checked and re-checked. Sometimes the "third" monitor is showing but showing as Inactive or not showing at all.

How do you have the monitors set to function in relation to the Main Desktop?
>>> To extend the main screen.

Is each monitor displaying different things/desktops?
>>> No.

Do you know IF there is any Monitor(s) settings in BIOS on the laptops? Is it possible the BIOS could have updated and/or settings changed without you knowing? Maybe the BIOS Backup batteries died on both causing loss of settings (I know this is a very remote possibility happining to 2 computers at the same time but still possible).
>>> Good thought but no. I am fairly certain there is no monitor settings in the BIOS other than the ordinary setting(s).

Thanks for you rather in depth Q&A on the matter. You did give me an idea or two to try.
BGunn

 

No problem. Hopefully either something I said works OR maybe even something I said gave you additional ideas to try.

Did you try deleting the monitor(s), hub & graphics card drivers & reinstalling them?

I just stumbled across this https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/usb_repair_portable.html and didn't know IF it MIGHT fix your USB hub monitor issues.

A thought, maybe try downloading a Linux distro https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortdate/linux_distros.html and installing it on a flash drive in persistent mode (so it will remember settings and software updates/installs), booting from it to see IF you can get all the monitors working? Could try Linux LMDE 7 MINT https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/linux_mint.html , Zorin https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/zorin_os.html free version, even Ubuntu, OR there is a Linux geared more to multimedia/graphics/audio AV Linux MX Edition https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/av_linux_mx_edition.html (as it MIGHT be more/easily suited to multi monitor use) that might be worth a try to check the hubs & monitors. The easy way is to burn a DVD, plug in a blank flash drive. Then boot from the Linux DVD you burned & then once booted up select the option to install the OS which should install it to the flash drive. After that you should be able to boot from the flash drive. IF your WiFI card isn't recognized you will need to plug in either an Ethernet cable and/or a USB cable to your router.

Another thought is to use a flash drive OS creating software that allows you to create a Windows boot flash drive. I did it with Win 7 Pro & it worked good. Though my success at using something like Rufus or Ventoy to create a Linux Bootable that is a functional persistence flash drive has been hit or miss at best & found it easier to do the install using the install function given on the bootable created/burned DVD. I am not sure which one below I used to create the bootable flash drive Win 7 Pro I did. I also don't know IF any will work for installing a bootable Win 11 flavor on a flash drive (it would be handy to also have a bootable Win 11 flash drive IF possible & use a version just prior to the version where your third monitor stopped working.).

Both of the above can be used as a good troubleshooting tool that WON'T modify your main OS hard/ssd drive.

Below are some programs in no specific order (most are free) for creating Win bootable flash drives (and Linux as well for that matter). Others can be found here https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortdate/usb_tools.html .

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ventoy_portable.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/usb_boot_drive_creator.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/rufus.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/bootable_usb_creator.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wintoflash.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/yumi.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/multios_usb.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wintousb.html

 

I had a few more ideas/questions after my last post.

Did you try JUST plugging in 1 monitor into the troubled port on the hub & NOTHING else connected to the hub to see IF that port starts displaying on the monitor? (and then also see if it works on the remaining ports too with NOTHING else connected). IF one monitor works on each of the hub ports then you MIGHT have a power issue (see last hub question on being self powered below).

I am guessing you already tried connecting the hub to different ports on the laptops with no success?

Are your hubs self powered? Or do they both have the option to power them using an external power supply? IF they have the option to use an external power supply try using a high current supply (or IF they have a external supply try a new one that is high power/current) .

I say this because the ones you have may be bad/faulty and not supplying enough current & thus not enough voltage for the hub to properly supply all connected devices. I have a couple USB Hubs that have built in card readers. BOTH are self powered BUT also provide a power jack so an external power supply can be used. Well under certain conditions an external power supply MUST be used because the hub (and as an extension the USB port on the computer) CAN'T supply enough power/current to power the hub & the connected items (like an SD card in the reader).