I’ve seen similar issues with DisplayLink setups on macOS, especially when running a 4K external monitor. Since you’ve already tested different cables, HDMI/DisplayPort connections, and even confirmed that the monitor works smoothly through a direct USB-C adapter, the DisplayLink driver does seem like an important factor.
It may be worth checking whether a newer DisplayLink Manager version is available for Catalina, https://threaddownload.com/ or trying an earlier stable driver version if 5.2.5 is causing the lag. Also, checking the DisplayLink Manager settings and macOS permissions can sometimes help with performance. Hopefully a driver update or rollback resolves the issue without needing to replace the dock.
Jack Sparrow
I’ve seen similar issues with DisplayLink setups on macOS, especially when running a 4K external monitor. Since you’ve already tested different cables, HDMI/DisplayPort connections, and even confirmed that the monitor works smoothly through a direct USB-C adapter, the DisplayLink driver does seem like an important factor.
It may be worth checking whether a newer DisplayLink Manager version is available for Catalina, https://threaddownload.com/ or trying an earlier stable driver version if 5.2.5 is causing the lag. Also, checking the DisplayLink Manager settings and macOS permissions can sometimes help with performance. Hopefully a driver update or rollback resolves the issue without needing to replace the dock.