The DisplayLink Manager is running on my Mac but my monitors are still blank. What can I do?

Last Update: April 16th, 2025
Article ID: 3224793

If you're using a DisplayLink-based Plugable product (dock or graphics adapter) with your Mac, you might encounter an issue where your external monitors remain blank. This can occur even though the DisplayLink Manager app is actively running. Additionally, the displays may not appear in your macOS Display Settings. A common cause is that the displays have unintentionally been "disabled" within the DisplayLink Manager.

How to fix it:

  1. Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in your macOS menu bar at the top of your screen: DisplayLink Manager icon in macOS menu bar
  2. Select the Displays tab
  3. Ensure the toggle next to each display is set to the On position: DisplayLink Manager display toggle
  4. Once toggled on, your external monitors should immediately become active and appear in your macOS Display Settings.
  1. Click on the DisplayLink Manager icon in your macOS menu bar at the top of your screen: DisplayLink Manager icon in macOS menu bar
  2. Locate your connected displays listed here, and ensure the toggle next to each display is set to the On position: DisplayLink Manager display toggle
  3. Once toggled on, your external monitors should immediately become active and appear in your macOS Display Settings.