2nd monitor hookup issues

steveluck7

Member
SoSH Member
May 10, 2007
3,994
Burrillville, RI
I googled this but didn't want to get too deep into results and the first few were basically "restart" and "make sure all connections are good."

Anyhow, here's what's happening. I started a new position this week and it's 100% remote. The new company provided a Lenovo yoga laptop and I have a second monitor hooked up via and HDMI cable to it. (through a hub). I couldn't connect the monitor directly tot he machine as it only has 2 USB - C ports and 1 USB port (that i have my wireless mouse / keyboard hooked into).
The 2nd monitor works when I have the computer shut down and restart. If i get up for a bit during the day and the computer goes to sleep, the monitor does as well and when i return, the 2nd monitor will say "no signal"

Just wondering if the collective expertise here can help or if it's just as simple as i will always need to shut down.
 

Harry Hooper

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Jan 4, 2002
34,402
Another possible option might be turning off the sleep mode and turning your monitors on/off yourself.
 

cgori

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Oct 2, 2004
4,007
SF, CA
I googled this but didn't want to get too deep into results and the first few were basically "restart" and "make sure all connections are good."

Anyhow, here's what's happening. I started a new position this week and it's 100% remote. The new company provided a Lenovo yoga laptop and I have a second monitor hooked up via and HDMI cable to it. (through a hub). I couldn't connect the monitor directly tot he machine as it only has 2 USB - C ports and 1 USB port (that i have my wireless mouse / keyboard hooked into).
The 2nd monitor works when I have the computer shut down and restart. If i get up for a bit during the day and the computer goes to sleep, the monitor does as well and when i return, the 2nd monitor will say "no signal"

Just wondering if the collective expertise here can help or if it's just as simple as i will always need to shut down.
Looks like a fair number of people have that issue, maybe the last post on this page would help (though it's not ideal):

The solution is:
  • Go to Device Manager
  • In side the "System devices", you may find the "Thunderbolt(TM) controller"
  • Double click on that device, go to "Power management" tab
  • Untick the checkbox "Allow the computer to turn of this device to save power"
Some of the other ideas on that page look potentially promising too (different cable, check for deep sleep options in the monitor menu/settings, etc).

On the next page someone helpfully says:
Try updating M1200's device driver to 27.21.14.5239 (September 2020 release). Seems to be working with short term test (<1 week).
I don't know if your IT policy will let you do that, or if you have an M1200 graphics card at all in that particular Yoga - if not, ignore.
 

begranter

Couldn't get into a real school
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Jul 9, 2007
2,344
What happens when you go into the display settings on your PC when you plug back in -- does the monitor just not show up at all?
Try ensuring you have all the latest software and firmware updates. If that doesn't solve it sometimes there are compatibility issues between different manufacturer docks and laptops. Also I know Dell docking stations are notorious for failing for no particular reason.
 

Senator Donut

post-Domer
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2010
5,502
Work gave me a Lenovo Yoga and my solution was to just buy a USB-C to HDMI cord. Luckily, I was allowed to expense this.
 

steveluck7

Member
SoSH Member
May 10, 2007
3,994
Burrillville, RI
What happens when you go into the display settings on your PC when you plug back in -- does the monitor just not show up at all?
Try ensuring you have all the latest software and firmware updates. If that doesn't solve it sometimes there are compatibility issues between different manufacturer docks and laptops. Also I know Dell docking stations are notorious for failing for no particular reason.
Even when im displaying on both screens, if i go into my display settings, it doesn't detect a second monitor.

I'll try some of these ideas posted here and, if all else fails, get the USB-C -> HDMI cable The Honorable Donut mentioned