My FW 13 won't pick up my external monitor

Community Support
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1

Hi everyone, not sure if this is a FW issue or a Linux issue. This is my first Framework Laptop and my first time installing Linux.

I am trying to connect my MG278Q Asus monitor to my FW Laptop but the monitor isn’t showing in the Displays tab of Ubuntu.

Things I’ve tried:

  • HDMI to HDMI with two different cables
  • USB-C to Displayport
  • HDMI to HDMI on a different display
  • All four expansion ports
  • Updating my Bios
  • Updating my Kernel
  • Sudo Apt Upgrade

I am very puzzled on why nothing is working - not sure if it is a Linux issue or if it is a FW issue. The expansion ports do seem to be working with other devices such as a mouse and usb drive.

OS: Ubuntu 26.04

FW 13 AI 300 (AI 5 340)

Thanks for the help

2

Does the monitor work with any other computers/phones you have? It not working across both USB-C and HDMI is odd - I would wonder if the monitor is at fault. Do you happen to have another monitor to try with your FW?

Finally I wonder if there might be some detection, but some security thing in Ubuntu is stopping it being advertised to apps and your desktop. Can you run dmesg --follow and then plug/unplug the monitor via USB or HDMI? You might get some system logs that explain what the issue is.

3

Yeah, I grabbed the monitor from my desktop that I regularly use.

I just plugged it into another monitor and something interesting happens. My monitor is recognizing that something is trying to connect - when I plug it in, it will flicker on from a black screen, say “hdmi no signal,” then flicker back off to a black screen. Something odd on the output end of the laptop.

Nothing pops up in the system logswhen I run dmesg --follow and I unplug and replug my HDMI.

I do notice on the top right of Ubuntu the icon that indicates that something was plugged in, but no cigar.

4

OK, good testing.

Also try another HDMI/USB cable - I’ve had both not work for me. Some USB cables for example can only carry power or USB 1/2, and don’t have the shielding or connections to carry video.

Finally, see if xrandr gives you anything. It may require a monitor to be fully detected before it will give you any screen res information, but it will be harmless to try.

5

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I finally got something on the “dmesg --follow” command.

Seems to see it.

“xrandr” just shows the internal monitor.

Using USB-C to Displayport gave me this:

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image537×101 9.67 KB

I’m thinking of reformatting a new ubuntu or fedora on the laptop but I’m not entirely sure that will fix it.

6

Aha, super. Put that text into your new web search query or AI question, and see where that gets you next.

7

Solved it.

After a back and forth with ChatGPT, essentially proposed that it was likely a kernel and Ubuntu 26.04 issue. I switched to Fedora 44 and the second monitor was immediately recognized.

8

Brilliant, well done. I think it might have been solveable on Ubuntu with some more investigation work, but if you’re equally happy with Fedora, case closed :sports_medal: