Question KVM Switch Help (Work Laptop works, but PC doesn't)

[MajesticSapling]

Hi!

I used to have two desks for my two setups: one for my work computer (laptop and monitor connected by usb-c to usb-c and powered through my monitor) and one for my personal PC (PC and monitor connected by HDMI to HDMI).

I now have a much large desk, and wanted to merge the setup so i got a UGREEN USB-C KVM Switch. I have my work laptop connected to it using usb-c to usb-c, and the two monitors connecting to it using hdmi-hdmi. This works fine, and i can use both monitors with my laptop.

However, when I press the button to use my PC, it doesn't work. I tried using an adapter (Sonnet Displaylink USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter) which was the wrong call. Reason I got the adapter is because the KVM Switch has two USB-C inputs.

I'm trying to have the UGREEN KVM Switch essentially switch between using my work laptop and my PC.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys!

 

[Ralston18]

First eliminate the possibility of a bad port, cable, cable connector, or adapter.

Just because any given connector or adapter is a physical match (i.e, "compatible with") does not necessarily mean that the adapter will work. Pin outs, standard or proprietary, must match as well.

= = = =

The starting point is a simple diagram that shows all of the devices being used including the required KVM switch.

Include desktop, laptop, switch, monitors. All connections of any sort.

What is important is to also include or indicate device port types, genders, and cables. Cables should be marked as regarding connector type and gender.

Objective simply being to present the proverbial big picture.

No need to be fancy or artistic. Just clear and precise.

Google "KVM switch diagrams". Filter to images.

Lots of examples and you may even find a diagram that happens to meet your requirements.

On the diagram indicate what works and what does not work.

Likely you will need to take a closer look at the specific pin-outs being used.

 

[MajesticSapling]

First eliminate the possibility of a bad port, cable, cable connector, or adapter.

Just because any given connector or adapter is a physical match (i.e, "compatible with") does not necessarily mean that the adapter will work. Pin outs, standard or proprietary, must match as well.

= = = =

The starting point is a simple diagram that shows all of the devices being used including the required KVM switch.

Include desktop, laptop, switch, monitors. All connections of any sort.

What is important is to also include or indicate device port types, genders, and cables. Cables should be marked as regarding connector type and gender.

Objective simply being to present the proverbial big picture.

No need to be fancy or artistic. Just clear and precise.

Google "KVM switch diagrams". Filter to images.

Lots of examples and you may even find a diagram that happens to meet your requirements.

On the diagram indicate what works and what does not work.

Likely you will need to take a closer look at the specific pin-outs being used.

I'm not sure if this is the best way to show images, but i've uploaded it on imgur and shared the link.

Essentially, i don't think i'm connecting my PC to the KVM Switch properly. It requires USB-C male input, and the output from my PC uses HDMI. I hope the diagram helps explain that!

https://imgur.com/a/53MfCZp

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/kvm-switch-help-53MfCZp

Additionally, i know all cables and ports work fine!

Really appreciate your input!

Best,
Ben

 

[Ralston18]

Nice diagram.

As I understand the required connectivity, the PC "side" requires a cable with a male HDMI connector that would plug into the PC female HDMI port and the other end requires a male USB-C connector to plug into the KVM's female USB-C port

For example. a cable similar to this cable (not a source or product recommendation) :

HDMI to USB-c cable example

Physically the linked cable may match the respective connectors' gender requirements. However, that does not mean that the actual pinouts within the connectors and devices match end to end [PC <---> KVM <---> Monitor(s)].

Very sure that you have tried both KVM USB-C inputs.

Google "HDMI to USB-C cable pinout diagram" and take a look at the details.

Again, for example,

https://wiremystique.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-wiring-diagram

or

https://elecschem.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-wiring-diagram

And there are other similar links to be found.

Make and model monitors?

Trusting that I have managed to keep track of the cable end genders.....

Try to discover some cable/adapter combination that will establish a direct, working connection between the work laptop and monitors using a USB-C (work laptop) to HDMI (monitor) connection cable. Hopefully without the need for any adapters or converters.,

The premise being that that male to male cable/adapter combination (reversed end to end) will work when placed between PC and KVM.

If it does not work, then the KVM ports and/or USB-C pinouts are suspect.

There may be other ideas and suggestions posted. I have no problems with that.

 

[MajesticSapling]

The example you posted is what i'd need. Naturally, I bought that last week thinking it'd work but it didn't work. After some googling, i think it's because this cable doesn't natively convert to usb-c video output.

Additionally, I think the kvm switch works fine because i tried the laptop input in both usb-c input ports.

Do you think some sort of adapter would be necessary to connect my PC to the KVM switch using an HDMI male output and USBC male input?

 

[Paperdoc]

The core issue here is direction, because sending an HDMI signal set to a USB port requires conversion by an active circuit. MANY adapters on the market at designed to allow a device with video output from a USB port (like, a smart phone) to be connected to a common monitor with an HDMI input port. But here OP needs the REVERSE converter: one that can convert HDMI signals from his desktop system into USB signals for the switch and eventually the monitor. Such converters are less common. There even are bidirectional units that can convert both ways, but OP doe snot need that.

I found this on the web that deals with such matters.

Bi-directional DisplayPort->USB-C, HDMI->USB-C, and HDMI->DP cables

How do you connect a USB-C monitor to a PC without USB-C?

dancharblog.wordpress.com

About 20% down the page concentrate on the section on HDMI -> USB-C.

The cable connector genders are not he issue. The cable from desktop HDMI port (female) to switch USB-C socket (female) must have male connectors on each end, and almost all do. BUT the difference is in the type ("direction") of conversion done by the cable.