macOS App: Clamshell / Lid Closed Mode
The macOS App driver does not allow me to operate on external monitors with the laptop closed. I had to uninstall the driver and reinstall the one from November to be able to work in clamshell mode. This is glitchy in the old driver, often freezing my computer. I was hoping to see this stabilize so I wouldn't have to restart so often (almost every time I disconnect my laptop from the docking station).

Development is in progress with a third party.
176 comments
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Jono Brooks commented
+1
I'm on the Release: 5.2.5 beta driver/manager with a 2016 macbook pro 13 running catalina.
everything working great except closing the lid.@KS, you're saying you got the D6000 to work with your lid closed on your macbook by following those steps???
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Tony commented
Alban - Clamshell mode is completely inoperable using MacBook Pro 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with Catalina 10.15.6. I am glad "feasibility analysis is in progress" but I hope this is fixed ASAP. This makes the docking station an expensive obsolete brick. In today's Zoom everything environment, I cannot keep working like this. Will keep an eye out for the driver fix. But, will have to start looking for a fully functional docking station soon.~ Tony
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KS commented
I'll chime in here as well. I had just gotten the Dell D6000 USB dock to use with a couple of 2016 MacBook Pros (both 13 and 15-inch), and the DisplayLink Manager was not working for me consistently. There was a brief moment when I was setting it up and it somehow worked (i.e. allowed me to use it in clamshell mode successfully), but that was short-lived and stopped working when I switched computers and switched back.
After reading through these comments, the workaround that worked for me was:
1) Uninstall DisplayLink Manager and unplug the dock (not sure if unplugging is necessary, but you might as well do it)
2) Install the DisplayLink USB Graphics Software (version 5.2.5 for me, but 5.2.4 or 5.2.1 would have likely also worked as suggested by other users). I followed these directions (https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/1188004-macos-10-13-10-14-and-10-15-video-functionality) to allow the kernel extension.
3) Restart after installation, then plug in the dock.Hope that ends up helping someone. I was getting pretty frustrated at having to have my laptop open when docked and finding this thread was a godsend.
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Anonymous commented
PLEASE. This is ridiculous how this has still not been addressed.
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lisa commented
I recently bought the new macbook pro 2020, and when I connect to the dell d6000 docking station and close the lid of the laptop, it only allows it to work for a few seconds and go to sleep. I have tried the tricks on setting energy saving(never...), and it won't work.
My old macbook pro(2013) and macbook air work perfectly with their lid closed and powered on with the same docking station.
Since I use my macbook to remote in my work desktop, I would like to keep my remote desktop on the bigger monitors but not on the laptop monitor.
Could you please update the driver so it will be easier for me?Thanks,
Lisa -
Jose commented
agreed I've downloaded the DisplayLink Manager 1.1.0 and this is glitchy, it allows the external displays (U2417H) to work momentarily then immediately go to sleep mode. paired with a D6000 dock, and can only get 2 of the. 3 extenal displays working.
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greyson commented
instead of calling it good for Mac, maybe fix the high CPU usage, HDCP issues, and add clamshell mode when using the display link manager.
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Anonymous commented
i have same issue on macbook pro2019 catalina 10.15.6.
the workaround i have:
install displaylink manager
install the driver DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for macOS (5.2.4)
(still got black screen every 40 sec)
quit dispalylink manager then clamshell mode working for me.thanks Claudio's tips.
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Brian Hervey commented
Did it work, Claudio?
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CLAUDIO RIVAS commented
I've writen to the provider:
The general instruction was:
1.- Install the Displaylink Manager
2.- Install the driver driver
3.- Reload
4.- EnjoyBest regards,
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CLAUDIO RIVAS commented
I agree, this is simply not doing the work, Having the lid closed even with 3rd party apps doesn't work because keeps the built in screen on. Can you please help. I just bought the docking 2 weeks ago and started last week and have been a nightmare. If this is not solved in the next 2 weeks maybe my review in Amazon about this product will be very bad for the product designer.
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DC commented
Macbook Pro 2019 with Catalina 10.15.5
I have the exact same problem and it's sooo frustrating. I'm using DisplayLink Manager App 1.0.0 (so it is not a beta app!)Robert C suggested to use "DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for macOS Catalina 10.15 Release: 5.2.1 Beta 3 16 Oct 2019"
My experience was: I initially started with DisplayLink USB Drivers (not the Manager App!!) version 5.2.4 => indeed, it was working ok with Lid-Closed Mode BUT I was experiencing black screens everytime I was disconnecting my monitors from the laptop (which could only be resolved by restarting my laptop).
Question: does DisplayLink USB 5.2.1 Beta 3 16 Oct 2019 have this problem (black screen when disconnecting monitors)?
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Anonymous commented
Thank you to Robert C for the workaround. I rolled back my driver to macOS Catalina 10.15 Release: 5.2.1 Beta 3 16 Oct 2019 and that fixed the problem. Hopefully they address this regression in a later release.
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Mark commented
I am having this same issue.
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George commented
+1 on this issue. 2019 Macbook Pro w/ Catalina + Targus Dock DV4K.
Frustrating as I have to force power down every time the display falls asleep. This is b/c I'm left with a black screen and what seems to be a frozen OS.
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Glenn commented
Unable to use Clamshell mode (laptop lid closed) with MacOS Catalina. I always get the third display, despite my laptop being closed.
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Colin W commented
Same issue. Macbook Air 2020 Catalina.
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Ian O commented
Same issue. MacBook Pro 2018, Catalina 10.15.4. Screens go black every minute or so.
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Jesse commented
Same, the beta seems to be the only driver that works for me at all... so i'm forced to use this edition of the software. Same issue as everyone else, i close the laptop and my external monitors disconnect after a minute or so.
Macbook Pro 2020 Catalina
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Ven N commented
I understand this is a known issue. Would like to be updated when there is a fix to this. Thank you in advance.