How to diagnose and fix DisplayPort not working

There are many possible causes for this, from outdated drivers to hardware-related issues, but thankfully, there are ways to troubleshoot DisplayPort when it stops working.

1. Reconnect the cable

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When having a DisplayPort problem, it's a good idea to start with a thorough inspection of the cables. Loose or faulty cables are common culprits of port problems. They can lead to poor connections causing display-related issues, such as no video output.

To resolve this issue, make sure the cables are properly connected to establish a stable connection. Trying to change the cable can also help identify any cable related problems.

In some cases, the cable may have internal damage or a problem with the connector, preventing the proper transmission of the video signal. In such situations, it may be necessary to replace the cable.

2. Clean the gate

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DisplayPort issues can also arise due to dirt, debris, or dust accumulation that interferes with the connection. This is why periodic gate cleaning is essential.

If you haven't cleaned the DisplayPort in a while, you can use a can of compressed air or a soft brush to remove dirt and debris from the port. However, careful handling is important to avoid damaging the port. The article recommends that you do not use any liquid during this process.

To begin the cleaning process, turn off the computer and disconnect all cables to prevent accidental damage.

3. Select the appropriate input source

Connecting the cable to the correct active port is important if your monitor has multiple input sources. For example, if the active DisplayPort is D1, the cable will not work properly if it is plugged into the D2 port. You can find information about active ports in the manuals provided by the manufacturer.

Once you've determined which port is working, connect the cable and check if that fixes your problem.

4. Restart the display driver

Sometimes a problem with the display driver can cause DisplayPort problems. These drivers act as a link between the graphics card and the operating system. If they become outdated or damaged, they can cause many screen related problems.

One potential solution to these problems is to restart the display driver. To do this on a Windows machine, unplug the device from the DisplayPort on the monitor and press the Windows keys + Ctrl + Shift + B . You will hear a beep. When you hear the beep, reconnect the DisplayPort cable and check if the problem is resolved.

5. Update drivers

If restarting the driver doesn't work, the next thing you can do is update the display driver. This can be done in Windows using the Device Manager utility that comes pre-installed on the system. This utility allows users to control and manage hardware devices installed on the computer.

Windows users can refer to the steps in the article: 5 basic ways to update and update drivers for computers.

In case you are a Mac user, you can launch the System Preferences utility and select Software Update. Now, wait for the system to connect to Apple's servers and check for available updates. If an update is available, you can install it by following the onscreen instructions.

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In Linux, when you connect a hardware device to your computer, a device file is created in the /dev directory , allowing the system to interact with the device.

Although most Linux drivers are open-source, included with the operating system, and automatically updated, there are also proprietary, closed-source drivers that you can install manually.

The installation process to update the display driver may vary slightly depending on your Linux distribution. For example, you can use the additional driver utility on Ubuntu, while on Linux Mint you can use the Driver Manager. These tools can detect and assist you to install proprietary drivers for your hardware and launch using the provided search utility.

It's also important to note that although some devices require proprietary drivers, sometimes open source drives are written to increase performance, efficiency, and compatibility.

6. Disable DisplayPort 1.2

If you have an AMD GPU and are having display port issues, DisplayPort version 1.2 could be the culprit. You can try disabling this port version and enabling an older protocol version by going to the graphics card settings. Keep in mind that if you're using an 8K monitor, disabling DisplayPort 1.2 will limit the maximum resolution and refresh rate your monitor supports.

Marvin Fry

Update 21 April 2023