Summary

Plugable does not recommend or support using a traditional KVM switch with a Plugable DisplayLink-based docking station. Traditional KVM switches are designed to switch a computer's direct video output, keyboard, and mouse between systems. DisplayLink-based docking stations work differently because their video output is generated through USB data and DisplayLink software on the active host computer.

If you need to share a compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docking station between two computers, the recommended options are to manually move the dock's USB host cable between computers or use the Plugable USB3-SWITCH2 USB 3.0 Sharing Switch. The dock can only be used by one computer at a time.

The USB3-SWITCH2 option applies only to compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docking stations. It is not compatible with USB-C or Thunderbolt docks and hubs that rely on USB-C Power Delivery, USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt features.

Applicable To

This article does not apply to USB-C or Thunderbolt docking stations and hubs that require USB-C Power Delivery, USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt connectivity. Those products should be connected directly to the computer using the cable and connection type specified for that product.

Answer

Plugable does not recommend or support using a traditional KVM switch with a Plugable DisplayLink-based docking station.

A traditional KVM switch expects each computer to provide a direct video signal, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA, along with USB keyboard and mouse input. A DisplayLink-based docking station does not work like a passive video connection. Instead, the computer uses DisplayLink software to send compressed display data over USB to the DisplayLink chipset inside the dock, and the dock then outputs video to the connected monitor or monitors.

Because of this design, placing a traditional KVM switch into the display path or attempting to switch the dock as if it were a normal direct video connection can lead to detection issues, lost displays, incorrect display arrangement, blank screens, or unreliable behavior. This type of setup is not a supported Plugable configuration.

If the goal is to share one compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docking station between two computers, the better option is to switch the dock's USB connection between the computers. This can be done manually by moving the dock's USB host cable from one computer to the other, or by using the Plugable USB3-SWITCH2 with compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docks.

Why Traditional KVM Switches Are Not Recommended

DisplayLink video is an indirect display technology. The displays connected to the dock depend on the active host computer, the DisplayLink driver or DisplayLink Manager software, the USB data connection, and the DisplayLink chipset inside the dock.

A traditional video KVM switch generally expects a direct GPU video signal from each computer. This can be a poor match for a DisplayLink dock because the display signal is not coming directly from the computer's HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA port. It is being created by the dock after the DisplayLink USB connection has been established.

For that reason, the most reliable way to move a DisplayLink dock between computers is to treat the dock like a USB device: disconnect it from one computer, then connect it to the other computer. USB3-SWITCH2 provides a more convenient way to perform that USB switch for compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink docks.

Recommended Options

Before You Begin

If you plan to use USB3-SWITCH2 with a compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based docking station, confirm the following first:

• The dock is a USB 3.0 DisplayLink-based dock with a standard USB data connection to the host.
• The dock is not a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock that requires USB-C Power Delivery, USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt features.
• Both computers have the required DisplayLink software installed.
• Both computers meet the operating system requirements for the DisplayLink-based dock.
• Each laptop has its own power adapter connected if charging is needed. USB3-SWITCH2 does not charge laptops.
• Only one computer will use the dock at a time. The inactive computer will not have access to the dock, displays, Ethernet, audio, or USB devices connected through the dock.

How to Share a Compatible USB 3.0 DisplayLink Dock Using USB3-SWITCH2

1. Install the required DisplayLink software on both computers.
2. Connect the Plugable DisplayLink docking station to its power adapter.
3. Connect your displays, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet cable, speakers, or other peripherals to the docking station.
4. Connect the dock's upstream USB host connection to the shared USB device port on the USB3-SWITCH2.
5. Connect each computer to one of the USB3-SWITCH2 host ports using the USB cables included with the switch.
6. If either computer only has USB-C ports, use an appropriate USB-C to USB-A adapter on the computer side of the USB3-SWITCH2 connection.
7. Connect each laptop to its own charger if charging is required.
8. Press the button on the USB3-SWITCH2 to select which computer has control of the dock.
9. Wait for the operating system to detect the dock and restore the displays and connected devices.

Switching between computers acts like unplugging the dock from one computer and plugging it into the other. A short delay while the dock, displays, Ethernet, audio, and USB devices reconnect is normal.

Important Notes

• USB3-SWITCH2 is a USB sharing switch, not a traditional video KVM switch.
• The dock can only be controlled by one computer at a time.
• USB3-SWITCH2 does not provide laptop charging. Keep each laptop's normal charger connected if charging is needed.
• USB3-SWITCH2 is not compatible with USB-C or Thunderbolt docks and hubs, even when using adapters.
• Do not switch computers while files are actively being transferred to or from USB storage devices connected through the dock. Switching the active host disconnects USB devices from the previous computer.
• Display arrangement, scaling, resolution, and audio settings are stored by each computer's operating system, not by the dock. Each computer may need to be configured separately after the first connection.

Troubleshooting

1. The dock does not reconnect after switching computers

Wait 10 to 20 seconds after pressing the switch button. If the dock still does not reconnect, confirm that the correct host LED is active on the USB3-SWITCH2, then disconnect and reconnect the dock's USB cable from the switch.

If the issue continues, connect the dock directly to each computer without the USB3-SWITCH2. This helps determine whether the issue is related to the dock, the computer, the USB switch, or the cabling.

2. The displays do not appear on one computer

Confirm that the DisplayLink software is installed and running on that computer. Then test the dock directly connected to the computer. If the dock works when connected directly but not through the USB3-SWITCH2, try a different USB port on the computer and use the shortest practical USB cables.

3. The setup works on one computer but not the other

This usually points to a host-specific issue. Check that the second computer has the required DisplayLink software installed, supports the operating system requirements for the dock, and is connected to a working USB 3.0 or faster port.

4. A USB-C or Thunderbolt dock does not work through USB3-SWITCH2

This is expected. USB3-SWITCH2 does not support USB-C Power Delivery, USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt features. USB-C and Thunderbolt docks that depend on those features should be connected directly to the host computer.

5. The laptop does not charge through the USB3-SWITCH2

USB3-SWITCH2 does not provide laptop charging. If the laptop needs power, connect the laptop's normal charger directly to the laptop or use the charging method recommended for that computer.

6. USB storage devices disconnect when switching computers

Switching the USB3-SWITCH2 disconnects the dock and its attached USB devices from the previously active computer. Eject or safely remove USB storage devices before switching, and do not switch while a file transfer is in progress.

Need Assistance?

If you are unsure whether your Plugable DisplayLink-based dock is compatible with USB3-SWITCH2, or if the dock is not working as expected after following the steps above, contact Plugable Support at support@plugable.com.

Please include the Plugable dock model, the model of the switch or KVM being used, both computer models, both operating system versions, and a brief description of how everything is connected.

For the fastest assistance, please also include the output from Plugable's PlugDebug diagnostic utility from each computer: PlugDebug.