i7 6700hq hd530. hdmi adapter. Triple display random flicker and hdmi signal loss in Windows 10, but not in Linux Mint

[kken2]

Asus g501vw, latest beta driver .4444

I have a triple display setup with two 1080p external monitors. One is hooked up to a usb-c hdmi adapter. One is connected to built-in hdmi port.

The monitor on the usb-c hdmi adapter randomly, but rarely, goes blank for 5 seconds. The monitor does not turn off or go to sleep though; the power light is still on. The display goes blank for 5 seconds, then comes back.

Sometimes there's a quick flicker, like there's interference.

This happens maybe once every 2-3 hours. Sometimes once in 6-7 hours. Sometimes a horizontal band flickers on the screen randomly several times in one hour.

I swapped the two monitors hdmi cables and ports, and again, the random blank display or flicker happens to the monitor that is connected to the usb-c hdmi adapter.

I've tried a different brand usb-c hdmi adapter, and the same happens.

It's interesting that when there is only one external monitor, and it is connected via the usb-c hdmi adapter, there's no flickering.... so far.

I have to observe for longer, but I haven't seen flickering when using the hdmi adapter alone yet.

Why would this happen, and how should I troubleshoot?

[idata]

Hi Link 626,

To further assist you could you please provide the model of your TVs, and the resolution and the frequency they are setting when you are using them? Regards,Hellen.

[kken2]

2 external monitors are LG 23ea63 and Asus vh238h.

both are set at 1920x1080 60hz.

After further observation, So far neither monitor flickers when used alone on the usb-c hdmi adapter.

It's only when both external monitors are plugged in that the hdmi adapter has flickering problems. Not sure if this is hardware specific or driver related.

[idata]

Hi Link626,

I suggest you to install; the latest version of Intel® Graphics Driver HD 530:How to manually install an Intel® Graphics Driverhttp://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html Intel® Graphics Driverhttps://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26078/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40-?product=88345 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26078/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40-?product=88345 I also suggest you to update your Chipset driver, Intel® INF https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/HelpDesk_Download/ https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/HelpDesk_Download/ Please let me know the outcome. Regards,Hellen.

[kken2]

already have the latest chipset driver, and I tried the latest graphics driver. Same random occasional flicker or blink.

[idata]

Hi Link626,

Let's try by changing the frequency of resolution, from 60Hz to 30Hz, I t is because It should be changing this automatically, if the issue remains; could you please fill out the information asked in this site?/thread/77761 https://communities.intel.com/thread/77761 Regards,Hellen.

[kken2]

no can do. 30hz is not an available option.

monitor only goes as low as 50hz.

I think I may have found the problem, but will observe longer to see if I spoke too soon.

I connected a thicker (probably more shielded) hdmi cable to the hdmi adapter, and so far don't see the dropped display signal and flicker when 2 external hdmi monitors are connected.

I wonder if one monitor is causing interference to the other because the cable is less robust.

update: nope, spoke too soon. it took a while, but it flickered once just now

[idata]

Hi Link626,

Did you already try with the drivers provide by Asus*? If it is not here you can download them:https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/HelpDesk_Download/ https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/HelpDesk_Download/ I just found this other thread, where you reported a similar issue, there you mentioned this: "Asus claims to have a hardware solution that requires a motherboard replacement. I guess we can assume this issue is solved". So, are you getting this issue after or before that replacement?

Here is the thread I mentioned /message/388703# 388703 https://communities.intel.com/message/388703# 388703

Regards,

Hellen.

[kken2]

The drivers provided by asus are the same old drivers Version: 15.40.10.64.4300 provided by intel. These are not specially tweaked by asus.

that motherboard addresses the displayport issue. It is unknown whether it fixes the dual hdmi problem here.

Today I observed that if there is video running on the first external monitor, or any light graphical activity on the other 2 displays, the 3rd monitor connected to the hdmi adapter will flicker and lose its display signal even more frequently.

Also, i discovered today, when a more cpu intensive task like video encoding happens, the hdmi adapter signal drops and can't reconnect, unless I manually reconnect the adapter. This happened once.

Weird huh?

I have 8gb ddr4 ram in this laptop. is it possible not enough memory allocated to the intel gpu?

in this video, in addition to flickering, it lost its display signal 3 times within 3 minutes. Could it be drivers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyioK0TtCNg hdmi flicker signal loss - YouTube

[idata]

Hi Link626,

According to what I understand on this, you haven't replaced it; there cannot be drivers because you already test Asus* and Intel® latest Graphics driver, then I would recommend you to test it with different HDMI cable, and adapter you are using, if the issue persists, if you have the opportunity to increase or test your computer with more RAM, I recommend you try it. Please let me know the results you get. Regards,Hellen.

[kken2]

I've tested with multiple different hdmi cables and hdmi adapters.

All have flickering and disconnect problems on the usb-hdmi connection, more so when there's user activity on the other displays. I can't figure out what is triggering the flickers and disconnects on the hdmi adapter display.

INTERESTINGLY, while searching the internet, I found that DELL XPS 9550 users have a similar issue.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19664930 XPS 15 9550 with 2 Dell U2414H monitors - Video - Laptop - Dell Community

Look at that 2nd post in that forum thread. The issue on my Asus sounds like that Dell's. Regardless of hdmi adapter tested, it will behave like the hdmi adapter is quickly disconnected/reconnected.

The XPS 9550 is like the Asus G501VW in that both have a thunderbolt 3 port and Intel 530 + gtx960m graphics, along with native hdmi.

If two different brands of computer with a different design, but similar features, have similar display issues despite bios updates, does it now suggest a driver problem?

Perhaps Intel drivers don't play nice with [native hdmi + usb hdmi] configurations.

Oh, here's another Dell forum thread about thunderbolt 3 usb-c woes with periodic monitor blinking... http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19674928 Trouble with XPS 15 9550, USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, and external monitors - Video - Laptop - Dell Community

The common factor is that we're all using Intel chipsets with thunderbolt 3 and intel graphics.

I'd like to think that it's an Intel problem where hardware wasn't beta tested enough before being rolled out.

[idata]

Hi Link626,

It is probably that both OEM are using the same Chipset, Please let me investigate a bit more about this, and as soon as I get an answer I'll let you know. Regards,Hellen.

[kken2]

On the one hand, there have been many posts in the past about screen flickering, such as

We never found out whether drivers had any effect.

On the other hand, I may have a ground loop problem, but I don't know how to test it.

The frequency of blinking and signal loss increases with cpu load, so I'm guessing it might be an electrical problem.

Would buggy drivers be able to cause a temporary signal loss to a monitor?

[CCris2]

Hi link626,

From what I read at Intel Skylake CPU specifications, when you connect more monitors, for each monitor igpu needs more power on VCSSA voltage. It maybe possible that it is a mainboard power problem, so I suggest to address the issue to Asus support also.

[kken2]

to recap, Linux Mint is stable when using triple display with usb-c hdmi adapter, no flicker, no signal loss.

The weird thing is, I tested a usb-c VGA adapter with triple display, and it is stable, no blinking or flickering or lost signal.

The usb-c vga adapter is Syba SYADA32015

The device manager shows the vga adapter with the same PTN5002 device under usb devices. But the vga adapter does not flicker.

All other usb-c hdmi adapters, however, keep flickering and losing signal, especially during regular user activity. I just got a Startech CDP2HD hdmi adapter, and that flickers and loses signal as well.

The tripp-lite u444-06n-hd-am hdmi adapter I was using also shows up as PTN5002 in device manager, and that flickered and lost display signal.

Here's a flickering & signal loss 3x while a game is paused, played back at double speed...

something about the drivers doesn't like usb-c hdmi adapters

[kken2]

Here's what I'm going to do.

I have installed Linux Mint 17.3 64bit cinnamon, running from a usb drive.

In Mint, all 3 displays work. Desktop is extended across all 3 screens. Yes, even the same usb-c hdmi adapter works.

So far, under linux, there is no blinking and display signal loss.

I will continue to do my regular activity on the computer and observe if there is any blinking or signal loss, and report back.

If there are no problems under linux, then can we safely say that Intel drivers are the problem?

There are dozens of reasons other people's Intel computers blink. Perhaps they really are bad Intel drivers.

I don't know anything about Linux, but this makes wonder...

What is it about Mint's built-in drivers that can drive 3 displays without issues, whereas Intel's leading edge Windows drivers can't?

[CCris2]

Linux drivers are developed also by Intel but they are open source so people can add fixes, or modifications. Windows drivers need to "mix" with microsoft's directx and wddm ... And if there is something wrong in directx intel can't do anything, just to try to make a workaround, unless microsoft somehow fixes the problem (without creating another one) ...

This blinking thing is not happening only with Intel's drivers, it is happening also with nvidia and amd drivers, look here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKsO4zimUe4 4K monitor flicker problem - YouTube

[kken2]

yes ok, it could be an intel bug or microsoft bug.

They should work together to fix it. But I have a feeling it will be difficult to fix unless they go and buy the Asus UX501vw laptop.

[CCris2]

It depends, this problem happens mostly with the intel igpu and gtx 960M from what I saw. One thing that i don't understand is why that configuration was released to production without proper testing, and fix. For that I don't hold responsible Intel, but the laptop manufacturers. They should have reported this to Intel if it was a driver issue, and Intel repair the problem. Instead they released the products and now they point finger at Intel, even if it maybe a problem on their side from bios or hardware ... I talked with few people on the forum, and it seems that some of them had a real hardware problem with the laptop as they were told by asus and MSI to go with laptops in service.

Anyway this problems should've not happen if the manufacturers were more responsible ...

[CCris2]

Hi,

I have a little question, the USB type C, on that laptop, is Intel or asmedia ? Maybe try install a driver for it instead, windows default driver, and see how it behaves.

[kken2]

it's Intel.

thunderbolt 3/usbc combo port