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How to fix your DisplayLink product from repeatedly disconnecting and reconnecting, or freezing

← Troubleshooting: Windows
Your USB video adapter, USB docking station or USB monitor constantly disconnects and reconnects, or freezes.

When this happens:
  • You repeatedly hear the device disconnect and reconnect chime
  • Your attached monitor will repeatedly flash off and on again
  • Or your DisplayLink display freezes or locks up, while directly connected screens, eg the built in laptop screen, continue to work.
This can be caused by loose video cables or USB instability. Firstly check that the video cable is fully plugged into the dock and the monitor. If it is loose, the monitor will be detected and then lost by the dock, causing display reconfiguration. If this does not solve the issue, follow the steps below:

Check if you have the latest DisplayLink software installed


You can locate the latest version on our Driver Downloads

Check if you have the latest USB 3.0 host controller driver installed on your PC

  • If you have Windows 7 installed see this article to obtain the latest USB 3.0 host controller driver
  • If you have Windows 8 or above installed then the driver is supplied and controlled by Microsoft

Check if you have the latest USB hub firmware programmed on your product

Check with your product manufacturer to see if there is a USB hub firmware update available

Check if you have the latest BIOS version installed on your PC


Visit your PC manufacturer's website to see if there is a BIOS update available for your computer. 
Also check if USB 3.0 mode (if present) is enabled in your BIOS

Check if the same behaviour is seen when connected to a USB 2.0 port on your PC (or if none is available with a USB 2.0 cable)


Some USB 3.0 enabled PCs can exhibit issues on USB 3.0 ports but not on USB 2.0 ports

Check if the same behaviour is observed with a different USB cable or USB port


As with other kinds of cable, USB cable quality can vary. We have also been made aware of rare quality issues with selected USB ports on a laptop series.

Try a USB 'Y' cable (if you are using a USB powered monitor product)


Ensure you connect both ends of the 'Y' cable to USB ports on your PC

Try connecting your product through an external mains powered USB hub


Some USB 3.0 enabled PCs can exhibit issues which can be resolved by connecting your product through an external mains powered USB hub

Disable USB selective suspend

  1. Open the Control Panel on your PC
  2. Select Hardware and Sound
  3. Select Power Options
  4. Select Change plan settings against your preferred power plan
  5. Select Change advanced power settings
  6. In the Power Options dialog that opens select USB settings
  7. Select the USB selective suspend setting
  8. Change the Setting to Disabled
If you are still experiencing issues with your product disconnecting and reconnecting please download and run this tool, and attach the output of the tool to a new thread on the DisplayLink forum
lockup lock up freezing freeze

Troubleshooting: Windows

  1. My Device is not Working Properly on Windows 10
  2. How can I report Windows issues to DisplayLink?
  3. How can I report Windows installation issues to DisplayLink?
  4. No option to duplicate monitors on Windows 10
  5. My DisplayLink device does not work at all, or I get the message "USB device not recognized", when connecting on Windows.
  6. What are the minimum PC requirements for Windows DisplayLink software?
  7. Issues with USB 3 host controllers and DisplayLink
  8. How to fix your DisplayLink product from repeatedly disconnecting and reconnecting, or freezing
  9. How to resolve mouse or window latency, desktop pixelation, or other performance related issues
  10. How to resolve screen corruption, leftover artefacts or blank screens
  11. How to enable night light or f.lux on DisplayLink displays on Windows
  12. Message: "The software package appears to have been modified." when trying to install
  13. Cannot upgrade or uninstall DisplayLink software
  14. PC hangs when booting with USB devices attached
  15. How to uninstall j5Create (MCT) software
  16. How to uninstall Fresco Logic USB graphics software
  17. How to uninstall SMSC USB Graphics software
  18. Problems configuring Wake On LAN on DisplayLink products
  19. Can I duplicate or mirror a screen to more than one display in Windows?
  20. Windows Display Properties "Identify" numbers are incorrect
  21. Windows Desktop background is not shown on some extended displays on Windows 7
  22. Third Party Graphics Card Utilities and DisplayLink Driver
  23. My DisplayLink wireless video device does not work

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