Interactive tool

No signal, wrong resolution or stuck at 60 Hz? Find the limiting link

Find out why your monitor shows no signal or the wrong refresh rate, and whether your USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI or dock connection can carry the mode you want — part by part, with sources.

Updated: 2026-10-18

One tool, three problems: no picture on an external monitor, a monitor stuck at a lower refresh rate than it is sold with, and USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI or dock limits. Describe what you have; the solver checks each part of the connection, tells you which part decides the result, and gives fix steps from Microsoft and dock-maker documentation.
Verdicts: PASS · CONDITIONAL · FAIL · UNKNOWN — unknown is never shown as PASS

Check your connection

The interactive check needs JavaScript. Everything else on this page — the bandwidth tables, the fix checklists and the sources — works without it.

How the solver decides

It splits the connection into parts — computer output, anything in between, cable and the monitor input — and checks each one. A connection is only as good as its weakest part.

The numbers are separated on purpose. Raw link rate (32.4 Gbit/s for DisplayPort HBR3 over four lanes) is not the same as usable payload (25.92 Gbit/s) [V1] [V2]. And a cable label like “8K 60Hz” describes one mode on one standard; it is not a 60 Hz ceiling for your monitor.

Which links can carry common modes

Active pixels × refresh × bits per pixel gives the minimum bitrate. Real signals add blanking, so a “Not ruled out” cell can still fail with the monitor’s real timing. DisplayPort payloads are VESA figures [V1] [V3]; HDMI payloads are DERIVED from the published raw totals [H1] [H2].

8-bit RGB, active pixels only (blanking adds more). “FAIL: exceeds” is definite; “Not ruled out” still needs the monitor’s timing or a verified mode.
ModeHDMI 2.0 class
18 Gbit/s
HDMI 2.1 FRL
48 Gbit/s
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.2
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.4
DP 1.2 HBR2
(4 lanes)
DP 1.4 HBR3
(4 lanes)
DP 2.x UHBR20
Usable payload, Gbit/s14.40 (DERIVED)42.67 (DERIVED)8.6412.9617.2825.9277.37
1920×1080 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 7.17 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
1920×1080 @ 240 Hz
needs ≥ 11.94 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 12.74 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 165 Hz
needs ≥ 14.60 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 240 Hz
needs ≥ 21.23 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 100 Hz
needs ≥ 11.89 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 17.12 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 165 Hz
needs ≥ 19.62 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 60 Hz
needs ≥ 11.94 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 120 Hz
needs ≥ 23.89 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 28.67 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled out

Same modes at 10-bit (HDR) colour

10-bit RGB, active pixels only (blanking adds more). “FAIL: exceeds” is definite; “Not ruled out” still needs the monitor’s timing or a verified mode.
ModeHDMI 2.0 class
18 Gbit/s
HDMI 2.1 FRL
48 Gbit/s
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.2
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.4
DP 1.2 HBR2
(4 lanes)
DP 1.4 HBR3
(4 lanes)
DP 2.x UHBR20
Usable payload, Gbit/s14.40 (DERIVED)42.67 (DERIVED)8.6412.9617.2825.9277.37
1920×1080 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 8.96 Gbit/s
Not ruled outNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
1920×1080 @ 240 Hz
needs ≥ 14.93 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 15.93 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 165 Hz
needs ≥ 18.25 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
2560×1440 @ 240 Hz
needs ≥ 26.54 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 100 Hz
needs ≥ 14.86 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 21.40 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
3440×1440 @ 165 Hz
needs ≥ 24.52 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 60 Hz
needs ≥ 14.93 Gbit/s
UNKNOWN: over DERIVED payloadNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled outNot ruled outNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 120 Hz
needs ≥ 29.86 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled out
3840×2160 @ 144 Hz
needs ≥ 35.83 Gbit/s
FAIL: exceedsNot ruled outFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsFAIL: exceedsNot ruled out

Calculated refresh ceilings

The highest refresh rate each link could carry at 8-bit RGB if there were no blanking at all. Treat it as a hard upper bound: if your target is above it, that link cannot do it.

Calculated ceiling before blanking, 8-bit RGB. The real maximum is lower once blanking is added, and only a verified mode on your monitor’s input proves a rate.
ResolutionHDMI 2.0 class
18 Gbit/s
HDMI 2.1 FRL
48 Gbit/s
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.2
USB-C Alt Mode
2 lanes, DP 1.4
DP 1.2 HBR2
(4 lanes)
DP 1.4 HBR3
(4 lanes)
DP 2.x UHBR20
1920×1080289.3 Hz857.3 Hz173.6 Hz260.4 Hz347.2 Hz520.8 Hz1554.6 Hz
2560×1440162.7 Hz482.2 Hz97.6 Hz146.4 Hz195.3 Hz292.9 Hz874.4 Hz
3440×1440121.1 Hz358.8 Hz72.6 Hz109 Hz145.3 Hz218 Hz650.7 Hz
3840×216072.3 Hz214.3 Hz43.4 Hz65.1 Hz86.8 Hz130.2 Hz388.6 Hz
5120×144081.3 Hz241.1 Hz48.8 Hz73.2 Hz97.6 Hz146.4 Hz437.2 Hz

Step-by-step guides

External monitor not detected or no signal: the fix order, including USB-C “Display connection might be limited”.

Monitor stuck at 60 Hz: find the part that caps your refresh rate.

USB-C dock and adapter display limits: lanes, DisplayLink, Thunderbolt and MST.

Can’t enter BIOS but Windows starts? If there is no picture until Windows loads, switch to the Fast Boot troubleshooter.

Console & handheld display hub: PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 and Steam Deck no-signal and 120 Hz checks.

Sources

Standards bodies (VESA, HDMI Forum, HDMI Licensing Administrator) and vendor support documentation (Microsoft, Plugable). Check times are when ELORUMTECH last read each page. No exact product is rated on this page.

FAQ

Why does the solver say FAIL for my refresh rate?

FAIL means a documented link or part limit already rules the mode out. Example on this page: 3440×1440 at 165 Hz needs more active-pixel bandwidth than an HDMI 2.0-class 18 Gbit/s link can carry.

What does UNKNOWN mean in the result?

UNKNOWN means nothing on the page rules the mode out, but something required is still missing — often the monitor’s exact timing for that input, or a cable certification.

When can the solver say PASS?

PASS needs the exact monitor model to list your mode for that input, plus documented capability on every part of the chain. A quick check from spec-sheet classes never says PASS.

Why check each part of the cable/dock chain?

The connection is only as good as its weakest part: computer output, anything in between (dock or adapter), the cable, and the monitor input. The solver splits those parts and checks each one.

Where do the bandwidth numbers come from?

The page separates calculated active-pixel bandwidth from full-timing payloads and cites the VESA, HDMI and other sources listed in the Sources section. Where a figure is missing, the result stays UNKNOWN instead of inventing one.