2. Why Doesn't Streaming Video Play ...

Why Doesn't Streaming Video Play Correctly When Using a Docking Station With My Mac?

Last Update: July 29th, 2026
Article ID: 1606801

Many streaming video services require High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled devices from the video source all the way to the display.  We speak more to HDCP here (https://kb.plugable.com/en_US/docking-stations-and-video/381072-video-hdcp). The DisplayLink hardware and software used to enable multiple external displays with our docking stations requires enabling the "Screen Recording" permissions in macOS, which disables HDCP video playback system-wide.

The DisplayLink software renders the external display and transmits it as USB data to the docking station. Apple does not have a specific security category for USB external displays, so "Screen Recording" is the required setting. This disables HDCP system-wide because there is no differentiation within macOS for the DisplayLink-controlled external displays from the displays controlled by the internal graphics controller.

Working Around HDCP Limitations

To view HDCP-protected content, a DisplayLink-based docking station/video adapter cannot be used to connect any displays. Thunderbolt docks can sometimes be a suitable alternative solution which does support playback of HDCP-protected content.

Keep in mind that the total number of display connections available through a Thunderbolt dock is dependent on your specific Mac model:

  • Base M1 and M2 Apple Silicon chips natively support only a single external display via Thunderbolt.

  • Base M3 Apple Silicon chips natively support up to two external displays, but only when the laptop lid is closed.

  • Base M4 and M5 Apple Silicon chips natively support up to two external displays.

  • Pro versions of the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 chips natively support up to two external displays.

  • Max versions of the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 chips natively support up to four external displays depending on the specific port configuration used.

Please feel free to contact our support team at 'support@plugable.com' if you have any additional questions regarding HDCP compatibility, video playback, or multiple display support with your computer.

Applies to:

Apple Mac computers with external displays connected through:

  • Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
  • Plugable USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Stations with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology
  • Plugable USB 3.0 Graphics Adapters with DisplayLink USB Graphics Technology