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Cannot get multiple displays with HP docking station

Patricia Dorsey 20 Reputation points
2026-05-11T23:47:28.31+00:00

I purchased this docking station, and when I connect my monitors to the HDMI display ports my PC does not recognize the displays. I have an HP 255 G8 Notebook. The docking station uses a USB-C connection to the same port. Is there anything I can try to get my monitors to work? I am using ASUS Model VY229/VY229HF monitors. I was using this with a company HP PC and the same HP docking station but there may be some hardware update I need to get this to work for me on my personal PC.

HP USB-C Dock G5-11-in-1 Adapter for Both USB-C and Thunderbolt-Enabled Laptops, PCs, & Notebooks - for Charging, Networking, or Data Transfers - Great for Secure & Remote Management,Black

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics
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  1. EmilyS726 230.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-12T00:26:26.1333333+00:00

    Hello

    If I read it correctly, the docking station is connected via usb-c to the laptop. And the monitor is connected to the HDMI port on the docking station, right?

    If that's the way you set it up, the problem is the usb-c port on the laptop. Not all usb-c ports are made equally. HP 255 G8's usb-c port is "USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C 5 Gbps". It is for data transfer only, it doesn't support video signal transfer. The docking station itself is fine, but it won't work on this HP unfortunately.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-05-11T23:47:46.2166667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    The HP USB‑C Dock G5 working on a different HP PC but not on the HP 255 G8 strongly suggests a compatibility or port‑capability issue rather than a Windows 11 multi‑monitor setting problem.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Confirm the USB‑C port capabilities on the HP 255 G8
    • Many laptops have USB‑C ports that support only data and power, not video (DisplayPort over USB‑C / “Alt Mode”).
    • If the HP 255 G8 USB‑C port does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, the dock’s HDMI ports will not output video at all. In that case, the dock can still provide power and USB, but not displays.
    • Check the HP 255 G8 technical specs/manual for wording like “DisplayPort over USB‑C,” “Alt Mode,” or “supports external display.” If this is missing, the dock cannot drive monitors from this laptop.
    1. Test basic external display support
    • Connect one ASUS monitor directly to the laptop using any native video port on the HP 255 G8 (for example, HDMI on the laptop itself, if present).
    • If the monitor is not detected, follow the Windows external monitor troubleshooting steps:
      • Press Windows logo key + P and select Extend.
      • Make sure the cable is firmly seated on both ends; reseat or swap the HDMI cable if needed.
      • Try the monitor on another PC to confirm it works.
      • If the laptop has more than one video output port, try a different one if available.
    1. If one direct monitor works but none via the dock work
    • This usually means:
      • The dock is fine (it worked with the company HP PC), and
      • The HP 255 G8 USB‑C port does not provide video, or video over USB‑C is disabled in firmware.
    • In that case, to use multiple external monitors with this laptop, use one of the supported options from Windows guidance:
      • A docking station that connects via a port that the HP 255 G8 actually supports for video (for example, a dock that uses the laptop’s HDMI plus USB, or a USB adapter that uses a supported USB‑C video mode if available).
      • A USB adapter that adds an extra video output, if the HP 255 G8’s USB‑C port supports video; otherwise, a USB display adapter that uses its own display driver.
    1. Check Windows and drivers
    • Ensure Windows 11 is fully updated: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
    • If external monitors used to work and suddenly stopped (for example, after an update), try:
      • Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver.
      • Restart the PC.
    1. Multi‑monitor limits and splitters
    • If one external monitor works but a second does not, the display adapter may not support more than one external display.
    • A simple HDMI splitter cannot create two independent displays; it only duplicates the same signal.
    • To add more than one external monitor when the laptop has only one video output, Windows guidance is to use:
      • A compatible docking station, or
      • A USB adapter that adds another video output.

    If, after confirming that the HP 255 G8 USB‑C port does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode, the monitors still are not detected through the HP USB‑C Dock G5, the only practical resolution is to use a different docking/adapter solution that matches the HP 255 G8’s supported video outputs.

    References:

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