MacBook blackouts on SmartBoards

[PretzelFunding]

This seems to be an issue going around but I am opening my own thread to be specific to this issue. I currently have 2 users, one with an M1 MacBook Air and one with an M3 MacBook Air. Both have DisplayLink manager installed to utilize a 3rd screen since MacBook Airs only support 2. They are both connected to a Lenovo ThinkVision P24h-30 Docking Monitor. This monitor then connects to a StarTech USB32HD4K USB-A to HDMI adapter, which then goes to an HDMI cable that connects to a SmartBoard SBID-6265S.

In short MacBook Air (M1 or M3) > Lenovo Docking Monitor > StarTech Adapter > HDMI > SmartBoard.

Multiple times a day these users are reporting quick blackouts on their SmartBoards. The image usually comes back quickly but it an ongoing and repetitive issue. Currently both are running MacOS 15.3.1, DisplayLink 1.12.0, and SmartNote 24.1.518.0 with driver version 12.25.243.0.

To further explain the issue, the screen will blackout, but the docking monitor does not go blank and the main screen on the MacBooks is fine as well. When the content to the SmartBoard stops showing through DisplayLink, the screen is black and any audio playing also stops...but the content itself moves on. If it's a video the video progresses but nothing can be seen or heard on the SmartBoard. If it's an audiobook, the audio stops, the screen goes black, but the reading marker proceeds normally. So functionality and operations are still happening, it is just the feed through DisplayLink that stops. Does anyone have any insight or a fix to this? It seems to be affecting more users as time goes on.

[dbienkowski]

Hi PretzelFunding,
As the Startech Adapter to HDMI is a passive device, powered from the USB bus I assume that the problem could be an insufficient power supply. Can you try connecting this adapter directly to the USB port on your MacBook? A USB-C to USB-A adapter may be required.