No USB-C video connection available on the Lenovo Slim 7 ProX
No USB-C video connection available on the Lenovo Slim 7 ProX
Hello, my Lenovo Slim 7 ProX has been functioning well for about nine months until last week. It usually runs smoothly when connected to a dock with three external monitors. During my last work session, power suddenly cut out. It restored briefly but then shut down repeatedly within seconds, suggesting possible voltage problems or mains issues (lights became very dim). After the outage, I reconnected it to the dock, but none of the monitors displayed anything. The keyboard and Ethernet stayed functional. When plugged in, at least one monitor would detect a connection but power off right away. I tried a USB-C to HDMI adapter and other displays, but nothing worked. It seems like either hardware or software might be the cause. This machine uses a 3050 mobile processor. Could I configure which GPU sends display output to the USB-C ports to help identify the problem? Besides that, any software tips would be appreciated. I rebooted and restarted it, but that didn’t resolve the issue. I also considered safe mode, though I doubt it would make a difference since drivers might be missing. Thanks for your help!
Have you experimented with the type-C connector reversed? When you access Nvidia Control Panel, navigate to Configure Surround, PhysX—it will indicate which GPU is driving each display. This setup differs across models based on their wiring choices. For instance, connecting a type-C cable to HDMI can work in various configurations.
Thanks for your response! I hadn't tested the USB-C connector upside down, but it didn't solve the problem—both ports were tried. Regarding the NVIDIA Control Panel, since Windows doesn't recognize the display, no info appears in the panel. The laptop relies on the AMD chip, and I suspect the USB-C ports are using the 3050. I might be mistaken about that. Edit: I can confirm the 3050 is functioning properly. Achieving 250-300 fps at 1080p in Rocket League with high settings seems unlikely for AMD integrated graphics; however, the NVIDIA tray icon indicates the 3050 is running in real-time mode.
With the issue occurring after a surge, there's likely damage somewhere. Whether or not that's fixable is questionable, what may help is narrowing down which display output is wired to what. Eliminating variables like cables and displays, and hopefully being able to isolate it to a relatively cheap part, like a cable. That would involve trying various combinations of cables, displays, and ports (including both ways on type-c) to see what works and what does. Also, if this is a powered dock, then its quite likely related to this, especially if the device wasn't surge protected after those power issues.
I thought it would be similar, but none of my other gear got damaged—especially the more affordable models. I expected a software problem with the rapid disconnection and reconnection. Could this be related to a PCB trace or component? Since the port itself is functioning over USB-C, the issue might lie elsewhere, possibly in a cable or a replacement port. I don’t think it would help if the dock was protected by a surge suppressor, as there’s a possible indirect path through the DisplayPort cable.
Stranger things occurred. I tested various setups to determine if it was a power issue across the dock or a malfunctioning monitor—possibly the one without surge protection.
It seems you've already checked common solutions and still face issues with your display going to sleep after connecting the dock or monitor. This suggests the problem might be related to power management settings, display calibration, or a hardware fault. Consider verifying the display's power source and ensuring it's properly seated in the dock. If the issue persists, testing with a different cable or device could help isolate the cause.
I believe it won't power down even though it isn't making proper connections. I'm unsure about the exact wiring for a display signal, but regardless of whether the device is functioning or not, a display will recognize a connection (usually via grounding). If it detects a link but can't establish it, it seems to shut down. When a display signal appears, it enters sleep mode, which suggests a possible issue. If you receive any display signal, that's another concern; otherwise, it likely just senses a connection without trying to form one.
You can check basic system settings and update your software before making changes. This often helps identify simple issues.
It's rare to discover anything when opening a laptop, and even then, finding replacement parts can be tough. Typically, most laptops use solid boards—some with separate daughter boards for input/output—where one side connects directly to the main board and the other holds additional components.