[RESOLVED] HMDI output not functioning correctly

Framework Laptop 13 Linux
1

Hi,

I have a Framework 13 batch 8 machine which I am only now testing out with an external monitor over HDMI, and turns out that I’m unable to get it to work correctly.

When the cable is connected the laptop screen freezes, and occasionally the external monitor responds and shows content but is also frozen. Most of the time there is no response on the external monitor (i.e complains about no signal).

Things I’ve done to debug the situation:

  • Verified that the monitor and cable work with another machine running the same kernel and operating system.

  • Verified that the expansion bay is detected via lsusb > Bus 005 Device 027: ID 32ac:0002 Framework HDMI Expansion Card

  • Tested the expansion slot in all four slots (due to differences in their capabilities)

  • Tested using a USB-C dongle which has an HDMI port, but the same behaviour occurs.

Due to the USB-C dongle not working I’m leaning towards something else being at fault than the expansion bay, but am coming up short with ideas.

Just as an extra information point I am able to use another display via USB-C to USB-C connection without issue.

The following is the dmesg output between connecting and unconnecting the HDMI cable (in case it could hint at anything):

[462967.307320] usb 5-1: USB disconnect, device number 25
[462969.598712] usb 5-1: new full-speed USB device number 26 using xhci_hcd
[462969.781671] usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=32ac, idProduct=0002, bcdDevice= 0.00
[462969.781686] usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[462969.781692] usb 5-1: Product: HDMI Expansion Card
[462969.781697] usb 5-1: Manufacturer: Framework
[462969.781702] usb 5-1: SerialNumber: 11AD1D00A49C40170D320B00
[462969.849204] hid-generic 0003:32AC:0002.0020: hiddev0,hidraw2: USB HID v1.11 Device [Framework HDMI Expansion Card] on usb-0000:c3:00.3-1/input1
[462969.968254] Registered IR keymap rc-cec
[462969.968343] rc rc0: DP-2 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:c1:00.0/rc/rc0
[462969.968390] input: DP-2 as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:c1:00.0/rc/rc0/input31
[462975.842801] ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: ACK failed (-110)
[462981.218906] ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: ACK failed (-110)
[462986.595005] ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: ACK failed (-110)
[462995.155128] workqueue: drm_mode_rmfb_work_fn [drm] hogged CPU for >10000us 8 times, consider switching to WQ_UNBOUND
[462995.963242] usb 5-1: USB disconnect, device number 26
[462998.383251] usb 5-1: new full-speed USB device number 27 using xhci_hcd
[462998.565251] usb 5-1: New USB device found, idVendor=32ac, idProduct=0002, bcdDevice= 0.00
[462998.565266] usb 5-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[462998.565272] usb 5-1: Product: HDMI Expansion Card
[462998.565277] usb 5-1: Manufacturer: Framework
[462998.565282] usb 5-1: SerialNumber: 11AD1D00A49C40170D320B00
[462998.632007] hid-generic 0003:32AC:0002.0021: hiddev0,hidraw2: USB HID v1.11 Device [Framework HDMI Expansion Card] on usb-0000:c3:00.3-1/input1
[463004.515369] ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: ACK failed (-110)

System information:

Ubuntu 22.04.04, Gnome on Wayland
kernel: 6.5.0-26-generic
BIOS: 03.03 (dated 10/17/2023)
HDMI expansion slot is generation 3

2

Could you provide the brand and model of the external monitor you’re connecting to?

1 Like
3

@Loell_Framework Certainly!

Manufacturer: BenQ
Type: BL3200PT
Model ID: BL3200-B

Manufacturer detail

4

Is this another laptop? may we also know what brand?
also what’s the xrandr output when the monitor is attached?

5

@Loell_Framework So I have been able to resolve the issue.

By first reducing the resolution on the Framework 13 machine down from the maximum of 2256x1504 (I selected 1920x1200), then plugging the external monitor in.

Now everything seems to function correctly, no freezing, and the framework laptop even automatically reverts back to the 2256x1504 (3:2) resolution.

After having done this once, there are no further issues when connecting the external monitor to the Framework laptop when it is in the 2256x1504 resolution (i.e there doesn’t seem to be a need to reduce the resolution every time when connecting the external monitor).

I can’t say I understand what may have been the cause of this, but it seems to have been resolved.

2 Likes
6

Thanks for taking the time to show your solution @Hrafn_Thorvaldsson , this could help others with the same monitor, appreciate it. :slight_smile:

1 Like
7

I have a similar issue with an external dock USB-C but the thing is I believe the USB-C dock is doing an authentication challenge, if I plug a Lenovo laptop. And then plug the Framework, the HDMI goes through the USB-C dock cable and works. Else if I reboot the dock it doesn’t work from the first try with the Framework laptop.

But note that the expansion card is working on my side despite seeing this :

[ 7744.922942] ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: ACK failed (-110)