Fixing DisplayLink Not Detecting Monitor Issue in Ubuntu 22.04

In this article, we will guide you through the process of troubleshooting and fixing the issue of DisplayLink not detecting your monitor in Ubuntu 22.04. This problem can be quite frustrating, but with the right steps, it can be resolved efficiently.

Understanding the Issue

DisplayLink is a technology used to connect multiple monitors to your computer using USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. However, sometimes, the DisplayLink driver may fail to detect your monitor on Ubuntu 22.04. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including outdated drivers, incorrect installation, or compatibility issues.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following:

• Ubuntu 22.04 installed on your system
• Terminal access with sudo privileges
• Internet connection

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Issue

Step 1: Install evdi-dkms

The first step in our troubleshooting process is to install evdi-dkms separately before running the DisplayLink driver installation. evdi-dkms is a kernel module that provides an Extended Virtual Display Interface for the system.

To install evdi-dkms, open your terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install evdi-dkms

This command uses apt-get, the package handling utility in Ubuntu, to install evdi-dkms. The sudo command is used to run the command with root privileges.

Step 2: Install dkms

Next, we need to ensure that dkms, the Dynamic Kernel Module Support, is installed on your system. dkms is a program that allows kernel modules to be dynamically built and loaded on an existing system.

To install dkms, run the following command:

sudo apt install dkms

Step 3: Perform a Clean Installation of Ubuntu

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to perform a clean installation of Ubuntu. This involves reinstalling Ubuntu from scratch. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install dkms and reboot your system.
2. Install evdi-dkms and set a new password when prompted.
3. Reboot your system and follow the prompts during the installation process, including installing the key and entering the password you set earlier.
4. Run the DisplayLink driver installation script.
5. Reboot your system.

Step 4: Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver via apt

If the problem persists, you can try uninstalling the driver and reinstalling it via apt. Here’s how:

1. Uninstall the driver by running the following command:

   sudo displaylink-installer uninstall

   This command uninstalls the DisplayLink driver from your system.
2. Download the Synaptics APT Repository for Ubuntu LTS. You can download it from the official Synaptics website.
3. Install the Synaptics repository keyring by running the following command (replace the path with the actual path to the downloaded file):

   sudo apt install ./Downloads/synaptics-repository-keyring.deb

   This command installs the Synaptics repository keyring, which is needed to verify the packages from the Synaptics repository.
4. Update your system’s package list by running:

   sudo apt update

   This command updates your system’s package list to include the packages from the newly added Synaptics repository.
5. Install the displaylink-driver package by running:

   sudo apt install displaylink-driver

   This command installs the DisplayLink driver from the Synaptics repository.
6. Restart your machine.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of DisplayLink not detecting your monitor in Ubuntu 22.04. Remember to follow each step carefully and restart your system when necessary. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to the Ubuntu community or the DisplayLink support team for further assistance.