AMD Ryzen 7640u USB4 displays not recognized

Framework Laptop 13 Linux
1

Which Linux distro are you using? Manjaro, Sway

Which release version? Stable
(if rolling release without a release version, skip this question)

(If rolling release, last date updated?) Current

Which kernel are you using? 6.6

Which BIOS version are you using? 3.05

Which Framework Laptop 13 model are you using? (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series, Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 1, 13th Gen Intel® Core™ , 12th Gen Intel® Core™, 11th Gen Intel® Core™)

AMD Ryzen 7640u

I have 2x Dell 4k monitors on a USB4 splitter. The splitter goes from USBc to 2x HDMI. I had this working on the same OS on an XPS 9370 with a Core i5 integrated graphics. The only difference I can see is that previous computer had true certified Thunderbolt ports (as it was Intel). This also works on my MBP 16" M2 Max.

When i plug in the USB both monitors turn on, however they only have one video mode and seem to be lacking a lot of vendor info

swaymsg -t get_outputs
Output eDP-1 'BOE NE135A1M-NY1 Unknown' (focused)
  Current mode: 2880x1920 @ 120.000 Hz
  Power: on
  Position: 0,0
  Scale factor: 1.500000
  Scale filter: linear
  Subpixel hinting: unknown
  Transform: normal
  Workspace: 1:  
  Max render time: off
  Adaptive sync: disabled
  Allow tearing: no
  Available modes:
    2880x1920 @ 120.000 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 60.001 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 96.000 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 72.007 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 60.000 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 50.004 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 48.000 Hz
    2880x1920 @ 30.000 Hz
    1920x1200 @ 120.000 Hz
    1920x1080 @ 120.000 Hz
    1600x1200 @ 120.000 Hz
    1680x1050 @ 120.000 Hz
    1280x1024 @ 120.000 Hz
    1440x900 @ 120.000 Hz
    1280x800 @ 120.000 Hz
    1280x720 @ 120.000 Hz
    1024x768 @ 120.000 Hz
    800x600 @ 120.000 Hz
    640x480 @ 120.000 Hz

Output DP-5 'Unknown Unknown Unknown'
  Current mode: 640x480 @ 59.940 Hz
  Power: on
  Position: 1920,0
  Scale factor: 1.000000
  Scale filter: nearest
  Subpixel hinting: unknown
  Transform: normal
  Workspace: 4
  Max render time: off
  Adaptive sync: disabled
  Allow tearing: no
  Available modes:
    640x480 @ 59.940 Hz

Output DP-6 'Unknown Unknown Unknown'
  Current mode: 640x480 @ 59.940 Hz
  Power: on
  Position: 2560,0
  Scale factor: 1.000000
  Scale filter: nearest
  Subpixel hinting: unknown
  Transform: normal
  Workspace: 5
  Max render time: off
  Adaptive sync: disabled
  Allow tearing: no
  Available modes:
    640x480 @ 59.940 Hz

This is plugged into a USBc port closest to the hinge. Both sides seem to be the same aside from the display numbering. I had expected this to work based on what I read about the laptop, am I missing something? The cable in use is a 40Gbps USBc. The adapter used is here: Amazon.com: SABRENT Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI 2.0 Display Adapter for Windows or Mac | up to 4K Resolution at 60Hz | Detachable Cable with Screw-in Lock (TH-S3H2) : Electronics

Again, nothing is changed aside from the computer this is plugged into.

2

The other computer is using i3, so it is x11 which i guess could be another variable.

The output when connected of xrandr for these external displays is as follows:

DP-1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   3840x2160     29.98 +  30.00    25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98  
   2560x1440     59.95  
   2048x1280     59.99  
   1920x1080     60.00    60.00    50.00    59.94    30.00    25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94    50.00  
   1600x1200     60.00  
   1600x900      60.00  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1152x864      75.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    60.00  
   800x600       75.00    60.32  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
DP-2 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   3840x2160     30.00 +  25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98  
   1920x1200     59.95  
   1920x1080     60.00    50.00    59.94    24.00    23.98  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1600x1200     60.00  
   1680x1050     59.88  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1280x800      59.91  
   1152x864      75.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    60.00  
   800x600       75.00    60.32  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08
3

I rebooted the system and ran an i3 (X11) based install image of manjaro. This OS should 100% match the other (working) system. This also reports that there are no video modes available for the external monitors with xrandr. I think this narrows it down to a hardware issue - i’m not sure what the missing link is here, do i need to use DisplayPort cables out of the USBc adapter?

4

I have had a similar issues with recent kernels/MESA on both AMD and intel based machines, not just Framework laptops

the HDMI expansion module on framework laptops does correctly show the native resolution of the panels, but HDMI from three different Thunderbolt/USB docks will only ever show 640x480. Display port or USB-C=> Displayport works correctly.

i’d LOVE to know what was up, because two of my docks only have HDMI ports and i would really like to free up a USB-c port on them instead of using it for display…

5

Sorry you are having trouble as well - have you successfully connected 2x displays via displayport over one USBc cable? It would be less ideal, as i don’t own any displayport cables or the proper adapter but if that worked, i guess i could live with it.

6

Out of curiosity, i decided to test Ubuntu 24.10 as i figured it would be the most compatible and the same thing. Xrandr reports max display resolutions of 640x480. I would have figured if any OS had the proper stuff to support this ubuntu would be it :confused:

7

Yeah, on my one dock that has a displayport out i have two 1440p displays connected, one via the displaoyport output and one via usb-c to displayport.

it seems to be specifically something with HDMI over USB, and something that doesn’t affect the Framework expansion card when plugged directly into the laptop

8

Interesting, thanks for sharing! Support directed me to this thread which you may find interesting if you haven’t seen it yet:USB-C/Thunderbolt Dock Megathread - #270 by Wade_Richards