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$119.00 USD
SKU: USBC-768H4Amazon Rating : (164 Reviews)
Features
- Add 4 Screens—The Plugable quad monitor adapter lets you add 4x HDMI screens through a single USB-C or USB 3.0 port, all with a sharp resolution of 1920x1080@60Hz
- USB to HDMI Adapter—Perfect for multitasking, extend your work across 4x screens. Easily switch between USB-C and USB 3.0 with included adapter so you can connect to USB4, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, or USB 3.0
- Quad Display—On Macs add 4x monitors, even on M1 and M2 MacBooks that would otherwise only support one. On Windows machines, add 4x monitors, or add two adapters can be added to connect up to 8 screens. Driver installation is required
- Compatibility—Windows 10 / 11, macOS 11+. Ideal for web and productivity apps like Google Docs, or Windows Office. Not recommended for gaming, graphics-intensive or design work Doesn't support playback of HDCP-protected content on sites like Netflix and Hulu
- 2 Year Warranty—We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support

You’re just trying to add screens to your computer. It shouldn’t be complicated. Sure, adding one screen—no problem. Adding two screens? Still not that hard, but now you have to consider your graphics card and how many external monitors your computer will natively support. A MacBook with an M1 or M2 chip, for instance, only supports one. And adding four external monitors? Your options are a high-end docking station, or a handful of dongles and adapters coming out of every open port on your machine.
The USB-C or USB 3.0 to Quad HDMI Adapter (USBC-768H4) changes that. Now you can add four HDMI screens through a single USB-C or USB 3.0 port—all with a sharp 1920x1080@60Hz image, even on M1 and M2 Macs.

Big Results
Smaller than you might expect for a quad display adapter, this multiple monitor adapter still manages all of the heavy lifting involved with delivering your video signal across four monitors. But it’s how the adapter handles the task of parceling the pixels across your screens that’s interesting.
A lot of adapters rely on USB-C features not available on all systems. The USBC-768H4 uses a Silicon Motion chipset and a software driver to accomplish the task. From a user perspective, there isn’t much of a difference. Unless, of course, you happen to be on an M1 or M2 Mac. Those particular computers don’t support more than 1 Alt Mode display so the standard approach wouldn’t work.
It is worth noting, a driver download is required. On Windows machines, the update is automatic though we do recommend installing the driver manually. On a Mac, however, this is accomplished through the InstantView App. And remember, though they offer similar functionality, the DisplayLink driver won’t work with this adapter.

4 Here, 4 There
A USB to HDMI adapter for monitor expansion opens up new levels of productivity.
Dedicate an entire screen to spreadsheets, email, stocks, or anything else you’re working on.
The USBC-768H4 adapts to your style of multitasking. Use it to expand to one, two, or three screens. It works just as well if you aren’t tapping into all four ports.
Now, let’s talk about what this multi HDMI adapter doesn’t have. It doesn’t have an external power source. It also doesn’t have an unwieldy cord to manage. What it does have is a flat cable that tucks into the bottom of the unit when not in use.
When you’re ready to expand your screen count, flip out the connector and plug it into an open USB-C or USB 3.0 port. Now you just have to connect your four HDMI monitors. That’s it. The adapter will get any required power from the host. And when you’re ready to go, disconnect and toss the adapter in your bag.

Compatibility
The USBC-768H4 is designed to work well with a wide variety of computers.
With the option to connect to the host computer through USB-C or USB 3.0 (USB-C to USB adapter included), you’ll never be left looking for an adapter.
Speaking of adaptability, the Plugable USB-C or USB 3.0 to Quad HDMI Adapter works with Windows 10 and newer, and macOS 11+. And that includes Macs with M1 or M2 chips that would otherwise only support one external monitor.
Not compatible with ChromeOS.

In The Box
Item and Quantity | Item Notes |
---|---|
1x USBC-768H4 Graphics Adapter | |
1x USB-A to USB-C Adapter | |
1x Quick Start Guide |
Video
Port | Placement | Specification | Max Resolution and Refresh Rate | HDCP | Chipset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4x HDMI (Output) |
Side | HDMI 1.2 | 1920x1080 @ 50Hz 1920x1080 @ 60Hz1920x1080 @ 30Hz 1920x1080 @ 25Hz 1920x1080 @ 24Hz 1280x720 @ 60Hz 1280x720 @ 50Hz 720x480 @ 60Hz 720x576 @ 50Hz |
Not Supported | SM768 Silicon Motion |
Audio
Port | Placement | Connection | Max Bit Depth and Sample Rate | Signal Output | Channels | Chipset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HDMI Output |
Side | Silicon Motion HDMI | Host Dependent | Digital | Host Dependent | SM768 Silicon Motion |
Connection To Host
Port | Placement | Version and Link Rate | Features |
---|---|---|---|
1x USB-A or USB-C | Cable End | USB 3.0 (5Gbps) |
Recommended Use Cases
Silicon Motion based graphics adapters, like this, are designed to expand a computer beyond its built-in limitations, allowing more displays to be connected and utilized by the computer. The Silicon Motion software achieves this by emulating graphics hardware, this is great for office and light web-browsing applications, however 2D or 3D graphics applications, full screen video playback, video editing software, and games may not work as expected and are not recommended for use with this graphics adapter.
Due to potential performance and software compatibility limitations we recommend fully updating the host computer's operating system, software, and drivers; this helps to reduce the potential for unexpected disconnections and poor performance. Driver updates may be found on the computer manufacturer's website, or directly from the component manufacturer (for example Intel Graphics Drivers can be downloaded from the computer manufacturer or from Intel).
Minimum System Requirements
Operating Systems:
- Windows 11 and 10, Home or Pro
- We recommend installing all Windows Updates
- Silicon Motion software installations requires administrative permissions
- macOS 13 (Ventura), 12 (Monterey), 11 (Big Sur)
- We recommend installing all Apple software updates
- Silicon Motion InstantView App installation requires administrative permissions
- MacOS users, please click here for additional compatibility notes with Silicon Motion and macOS.
Currently unsupported configurations and features
All operating systems:
- Computer Gaming: most 2D and 3D games require hardware graphics acceleration which is not supported by the Silicon Motion Graphics software, games may not launch correctly with the graphics adapter connected to the computer
- 2D or 3D Graphics Applications: These applications often rely on hardware graphics acceleration not supported by the Silicon Motion Graphics software, these applications may have reduced performance, capabilities, or compatibility when the graphics adapter is connected
- Night shift, Night light, and other blue light reduction applications are not compatible with the Silicon Motion controlled displays
- HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported on Silicon Motion controlled displays
Apple macOS:
- Display Rotation on Silicon Motion graphics adapters is supported on Apple Silicon based devices only (M1 and M2 Processors) running macOS 12 or newer. Display Rotation is not currently supported on Intel based Apple devices.
- Night Shift on Silicon Motion graphics adapters is not supported at this time
- Display color calibration on Silicon Motion graphics adapters is not supported at this time
- HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported, while this graphics adapter is connected to the computer HDCP content will not play on any displays (including the built-in display or displays connected directly to the computer)
Windows 11, Windows 10:
- Night light on Silicon Motion graphics adapters is not supported at this time
- Display color calibration on Silicon Motion graphics adapters is not supported at this time
Linux:
- We do not recommend or support our Silicon Motion based graphics adapters with Linux at this time
ChromeOS / ChromeBooks:
- While we try to support ChromeOS with as many of our products as possible, USB display support and performance in ChromeOS is not yet in a place where we can recommend using this graphics adapter with ChromeOS based systems
- We recommend installing all Windows Updates
- Silicon Motion software installations requires administrative permissions
- We recommend installing all Apple software updates
- Silicon Motion InstantView App installation requires administrative permissions
- MacOS users, please click here for additional compatibility notes with Silicon Motion and macOS.
Getting Started
Windows Installation and setup
- Download and install the Silicon Motion software available here
- Connect the display to the graphics adapter
- Connect the graphics adapter to the computer using the USB 3.0 or USB-C adapter depending on your preferred connection type
macOS Installation and setup
- Please follow these detailed instructions to install and configure the Silicon Motion InstantView software in macOS
- Connect the display to the graphics adapter
- Connect the graphics adapter to the computer using the USB 3.0 or USB-C adapter depending on your preferred connection type
Silicon Motion Driver and Software: Required
For Windows 10 and Windows 11, please download and install the Silicon Motion software and driver required for this graphics adapter or docking station. Link below.
For macOS please click the 'INFO' button below next to the version of macOS that you are using for additional instructions.
Quick Start Guide
Download the included PDF getting started guide here.
Platform | Important Notes | Date | Version and Download |
---|---|---|---|
Windows 11 and 10 | Drivers will typically install automatically through Windows Update |
July 17, 2023 | Silicon Motion driver v2.16 R01 |
macOS 13, 12, 11, and 10.15 | Silicon Motion InstantView Installation Instructions See the following article for more information about the Silicon Motion macOS InstantView app. |
July 17, 2023 | Silicon Motion InstantView v3.16 R03 |
macOS 10.14 | It is highly recommended to follow along our instructions on installing the legacy driver to ensure the driver loads properly. |
June 3, 2021 | Legacy version 2.2.16.0 |
Filter Help Articles and Frequent Questions by Category
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You can always contact support if you need help too!
Can I Connect a DisplayPort (DP) Monitor to the HDMI Port on This Device Using an Adapter or Cable?
No, this is not possible. Please note that DisplayPort to HDMI cables (as with most cables involving protocol/signal conversion) are not bidirectional adapters, which means they only work in one direction -- from a DisplayPort output to a HDMI input.
Connecting these type of cables backwards will not allow an HDMI output port (such as those on a dock) to function with a DisplayPort input on a monitor.
How to Configure/Adjust Multiple Monitors Using a Windows System
We have a produced a series of short videos that introduce the general concepts of multi-monitor setups in Windows, how to make changes to the way things behave, as well as how to solve common problems.
Direct links to the introductory videos our customers have found the most useful are:
- Introduction to Multiple Displays in Windows
- Common Multi-Monitor Problem—Spatial Orientation
- How To Make a Display the ‘Main’ Display in Windows
- Multi-Monitor Problem—Spatial Orientation Part Two
- Introduction to Display Scaling in Windows
We also maintain a playlist that contains all of the multiple monitor tutorial videos we have made .
No Sound? How to Change Your Default Audio Device to Your Plugable Product
Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, it's common to add new audio devices to your computer.
Some examples of additional audio devices you may want to switch to include:
- Bluetooth headsets, headphones, and speakers
- Speakers built into a display, such as a TV or monitor
- A USB sound card, digital audio converter (DAC), or analog to digital converter (ADC)
- USB microphones
- Audio jacks on a docking station
These steps don't apply to the Plugable Performance NIX HDMI Capture Card (USBC-CAP60).
Here are the steps that you need to set a new default audio recording or output device on different operating systems.
Set Audio Output Device
Set Audio Recording Device
Set Default Playback Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Playback tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Output header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 3.0 Silicon Motion docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as SMI USB Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Playback Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Output
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Playback Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Output Device', and change it to your preferred output device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
Set Default Recording Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Recording tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Input header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 DisplayLink docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Recording Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Input
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Recording Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Input Device', and change it to your preferred input device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
My Docking Station/Adapter Works Well With My Windows Laptop, but When I Close the Lid the Displays and Laptop Turn Off or Sleep. How Do I Fix This?
Most Windows notebook computers power management settings will default to putting the computer to sleep with the lid closed, regardless of any external displays, keyboard, or mouse connected to the computer. If this is happening but you would prefer the system to remain active with the lid closed utilizing the external display or displays, these settings can be changed by performing the following:
For Windows 10:
- Start by right-clicking on the Start button and select Power Options from the menu.
- From the right side of the Power Options settings page, select the blue link for Additional power settings
- From the choices present on the left-hand side of the Power Options window, please click on Choose what closing the lid does
- Make sure the setting for When I close the lid under the Plugged In column is set to Do Nothing
- Click the Save Changes button and restart the system (making sure that the laptop’s power adapter is also connected) and test the behavior again.
For Windows 11:
- Start by right-clicking on the Start button and select Power Options from the menu.
- In the upper left corner of the settings window, in the search box, type "lid" then select Change what closing the lid does from the search results
- Make sure the setting for When I close the lid under the Plugged In column is set to Do Nothing
- Click the Save Changes button to apply the new settings.
Closing the lid should no longer put the computer into sleep mode when an external display and power source is connected, instead one of the external displays should now become the Primary display with the desktop icons instead of the laptop's built-in display.
The lid may still need to be opened to perform the following tasks:
- To power on the computer from a fully powered off state
- To log into the computer if logged out or if the computer is restarted with the lid closed
- To wake the computer from a deep sleep state ( hibernation, or Windows hybrid sleep states )
Silicon Motion InstantView Installation Instructions for macOS 10.15, 11, 12, and 13+
How to install the Silicon Motion InstantView application based on your macOS version.
If you are unsure of the macOS version you are using → Click on the Apple logo in the top left of your mac display and select ‘About This Mac’.
macOS 13.x and newer
***For macOS 10.15 through macOS 12.x please click here***
1. Download the Silicon Motion InstantView application for your version of macOS from here.
2. Double-click on the file you downloaded to start the application installer

3. Drag the macOS InstantView app icon to the Applications icon: (Please be sure to drag the 'macOS InstantView' application to the 'Application' icon inside of the 'macOS InstantView' window itself.)

4. Navigate to your Launchpad or Applications folder to locate the InstantView app and double click to launch it

5. Click Open

6. Click Open System Preferences. Note: this should automatically open the Security and Privacy section, but if it does not you can manually open the Security and Privacy settings

7. Click on the switch to enable screen recording for the macOS InstantView application.

8. If prompted, enter your password and click the ‘Modify Settings’ button:

9. You will be prompted to Quit and Reopen the InstantView application in order for the change to take effect. Please do so:

11. The software has now been installed and you may connect your graphics adapter or docking station
** Please note - The Silicon Motion InstantView application does NOT in fact record or store any information. This permission must be granted in order for the InstantView application to access the information it needs in order to generate the image shown on the Silicon Motion-connected displays. **
Using the macOS Silicon Motion InstantView Application:
12. Right Click on the InstantView icon that is now present within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the InstantView quick access menu:
13. Click "Display before Login" to enable the Silicon Motion-connected displays to be activated at the macOS Login Screen

14. In order to receive automatic InstantView application updates you can ensure that the Auto Update setting is checked
15. Left click on the InstantView icon within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the InstantView application

16. You can quickly disconnect the displays and you can quickly change your Silicon Motion-connected displays to Mirrored or Extended mode
macOS 10.15 through macOS 12.x:
(Please click on the below to expand the instructions.)
How to install the Silicon Motion InstantView application on macOS 10.15 through macOS 12.x:
1. Download the Silicon Motion InstantView application for your version of macOS from here.
2. Double-click on the file you downloaded to start the application installer

3. Drag the macOS InstantView app icon to the Applications folder in the window that opens:

4. Navigate to your Launchpad or Applications folder to locate the InstantView app and double click to launch it

5. Click Open

6. Click Open System Preferences. Note: this should automatically open the Security and Privacy section, but if it does not you can manually open the Security and Privacy settings

7. Click on the gold padlock at the bottom of the application window to enable changes.

8. If prompted, enter your password and click the ‘Unlock’ button:

9. Click to place a checkmark next to the macOS InstantView entry:

10. You will be prompted to Quit and Reopen the InstantView application in order for the change to take effect. Please do so:

11. The software has now been installed and you may connect your graphics adapter or docking station
** Please note - The Silicon Motion InstantView application does NOT in fact record or store any information. This permission must be granted in order for the InstantView application to access the information it needs in order to generate the image shown on the Silicon Motion-connected displays. **
Using the macOS Silicon Motion InstantView Application:
12. Right Click on the InstantView icon that is now present within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the InstantView quick access menu:
13. Click "Display before Login" to enable the Silicon Motion-connected displays to be activated at the macOS Login Screen

14. In order to receive automatic InstantView application updates you can ensure that the Auto Update setting is checked
15. Left click on the InstantView icon within the Apple Menu bar at the top of your screen. This will reveal the InstantView application

16. You can quickly disconnect the displays and you can quickly change your Silicon Motion-connected displays to Mirrored or Extended mode
Why Does Image Quality With My Silicon Motion Graphics Adapter or Docking Station Not Seem As Crisp As My Laptop Screen or Directly Connected External Monitor?
Silicon Motion technology uses the Silicon Motion software driver on Windows and Silicon Motion InstantView application on macOS to generate a "virtual desktop" image that is sent over a USB connection to the adapter. These pixels are rendered by the Silicon Motion chip within the adapter to then send a video image to the connected monitors.
Because of the amount of data being sent the software driver must compress the data being sent so it can pass through efficiently over USB connections. This is why some images may not appear as "crisp" using a Silicon Motion adapter or docking station.
In our testing, Red colors are primarily affected where they can appear pixelated or blurry when viewed closely.
Blue Light Reduction Applications Are Not Working While Connected to my Silicon Motion USB Dock or Adapter
The Silicon Motion driver does not currently support this type of color adjustment. As a result, applications like f.lux, Night Shift or Night Light will not affect displays connected to a Silicon Motion-based docking station or video adapter.
I Can't Use My Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD/ATI Graphics Utility to Manage the Monitors Connected to My Silicon Motion-Based Docking Station/Graphics Adapter. Why?
The graphical software utilities provided by Intel, NVIDIA and AMD/ATI are designed to only recognize and work with graphics adapters made by their respective manufacturers. As a result, they will not recognize USB-attached displays connected to a Silicon Motion-based docking station or graphics adapter.
It is recommended to use the facilities built-in to Windows to manage the connected displays. These would be the ‘Display Settings’ application on Windows 10 and ‘Screen Resolution’ application on Windows 8.1 and 7. Both of these applications are available by right-clicking on empty space within the Windows desktop and selecting the appropriate choice from the context menu that appears.
Why Doesn't the "Display Color Calibration" Tool in Windows Affect the Display(s) Attached to My Silicon Motion-Based Docking Station/Video Adapter?
The Silicon Motion driver does not support color calibration functionality of any kind. Most monitors have built-in controls that can be used to adjust the characteristics of the display, though we realize this approach may not be ideal in all cases. For environments that necessitate near-perfect color reproduction and display calibration capabilities via software, a dedicated graphics card is recommended.
Are Plugable USB Video Adapters or Docking Stations Based on Silicon Motion Technology Compatible With Touchscreens?
Touchscreens that do not require drivers and use the host’s operating system’s built-in USB Human Interface drivers (HID) to record touch inputs can be made to work with our products, however Plugable does not provide support for doing so due the complexity of multi-monitor touch screen setups.
If I Add a Silicon Motion-Based Docking Station or Graphics Adapter to My System, Will That Prevent My System’s Built-In Video Outputs From Working?
No, the Silicon Motion device's presence on your system will not preclude the use of any of your system’s built-in video outputs.
Can I Adjust the Brightness of a Display Connected to My Silicon Motion-Based Docking Station or Video Adapter via the Windows ‘Display Settings’ Application?
Windows does not have the ability to adjust the brightness of a display connected using Silicon Motion technology. We recommend making use of the display’s internal on-screen menu options in order to adjust the display's brightness.
Do Silicon Motion Graphics Adapters and Docking Stations Work on macOS?
Our Silicon Motion-based graphics adapters and docking stations are supported with macOS, albeit with potential limitations that one would expect with a directly connected external monitor.
Supports closed-display mode (aka clamshell mode) | - No with macOS 10.15 Catalina and macOS 11 Big Sur on Intel based systems - Yes with macOS 12 Monterey on Intel based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) - Yes with macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey on Apple M1 based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) |
Supports display ‘rotation’ | - No with Intel based systems. - Yes with macOS 11 and newer when using an Apple M1 or M2 based systems, and when using the Silicon Motion InstantView app version 3.13 R02 or newer. Download available here. |
Supports macOS ‘Login screen’ | - Yes, by enabling "Display before Login" in the settings menu |
Supports Blue Light Reduction / Night Shift | - No, Night Shift and other blue light reduction software is not supported |
Applications That Use OpenGL Such As Google Sketchup or Google Earth Do Not Work As Expected When Connected to a Silicon Motion-Based Graphics Adapter or Docking Station
Graphics adapters and docking stations based on Silicon Motion USB video technology are in essence a 'virtual' graphics adapter that relies on the host laptop's CPU and internal physical graphics processing unit (aka as GPU) to generate the information shown on the Silicon Motion-attached displays.
In rare instances, Windows applications that use a technology known as OpenGL to draw the image shown on the display will attempt to direct OpenGL related tasks to the Silicon Motion-based virtual graphics adapter, and not to the 'real'/'physical' GPU within the laptop.
Since the adapter or dock is not a physical GPU that supports OpenGL, this can sometimes cause applications that make use of OpenGL (such as Google Earth or AutoCAD) to not work as expected or result in various types of error messages.
The true root cause of this behavior can vary, and ultimately lies outside of the adapter, docking station or its associated Silicon Motion driver. In some cases the root cause lies within the Windows driver for the host system's physical GPU and in rarer cases within the Windows operating system itself.
In some cases updating either the driver for the system's internal GPU or updating Windows itself (when Microsoft provides such updates) can help, however that is unfortunately not always the case.
If updating those components does not help, in most cases there are two possible workarounds.
The first is to configure Windows to have the ‘Main’ display set to a display directly connected to the host system's built-in internal GPU, whether that is an internal laptop display or another external display connected to one of the system's built-in video outputs (a quick guide to doing so is here -> https://youtu.be/7nnKztRZXsw).
If the first option does not prove a suitable workaround, the second option is to boot the system without the adapter or dock connected, launching the affected application, and then connecting the adapter or dock may also help.
Legacy macOS Silicon Motion Driver Installation Instructions
'Legacy' Silicon Motion Driver installation for macOS 10.14 Mojave
** Before you begin **
If have installed a previous version of the Silicon Motion driver, please uninstall it and then reboot your system before proceeding.
1. Download the latest driver for macOS 10.14 Mojave from here -> Link
2. Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click on the Silicon Motion driver download
3. The disk image of the driver will mount, and automatically open the Silicon Motion Installer main landing page
4. Double-click on the ‘SMI USB Display Driver Installer.pkg’ file. The SMI USB Display Driver Installer page will open

5. Click ‘Continue’ at the Introduction step

6. Click the ‘Continue' at the Read Me step.
Note: This Read Me step mentions that the Silicon Motion software must be allowed in the macOS Security & Privacy settings - this is an important step starting in Step x of these instructions

7. Click ‘Install’

8. Enter your system password and click the ‘Install Software’ button

10. Click 'Continue Installation'

11. Click on the ‘Open Security Preferences’ button

12. Click the ‘Allow’ button at the bottom of the window to grant permission for the extension to be loaded.
** Important note – this approval must be granted within 30 minutes of the driver installation or the process will not work. A fresh installation must be performed to reset this timer. **

There is also a chance that the warning message about the blocked System Extension will not appear, but macOS may still block the extension. After the driver installation completes, please double-check that the necessary approval was granted by clicking the ‘System Preferences’ icon (the gear) and then clicking on the ‘Security & Privacy’ icon. From the window that appears please ensure the Silicon Motion driver is Approved by clicking the ‘Allow’ button.
12. Close the ‘Security and Privacy’ window. The Silicon Motion installation should now complete
13. You may also elect to move the Silicon Motion driver installer to the Trash Bin by clicking 'Move to Trash' or you may keep it by clicking 'Keep'

'Legacy' Silicon Motion Driver removal for macOS
1. Download the Silicon Motion driver package for macOS 10.14 Mojave from here -> Link
2. Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click on the Silicon Motion driver download
2. Double-click on the 'SMI USB Display Driver Uninstaller' to begin the uninstallation wizard

3. Click the ‘Uninstall’ button

4. Enter your account password and click ‘OK’

5. After a few moments the process will complete. Click the ‘Restart’ button to complete the removal process.

Can Silicon Motion and DisplayLink-based Docking Stations and Graphics Adapters Work Together?
Yes! As long as the software drivers for both Silicon Motion and DisplayLink-based products are installed on the same computer these two USB graphics solutions can work together and be used at the same time.
My Silicon Motion-based USB Docking Station or USB Video Adapter Is Not Working As Expected
When a Plugable Silicon Motion device is not working as expected with a Windows system, the best practice is to disconnect the device from the host system (and remove it's external power source, if it has one) and perform a manual installation of the latest version we recommend of the required Silicon Motion software driver to help ensure both are in a good state. To do so, please follow these steps:
- Disconnect the Plugable Silicon Motion USB docking station or video adapter from the host system. If the product you are using has an external power adapter (for example a USB docking station), please also disconnect the power adapter from the product so that the unit resets. Please keep everything disconnected until prompted
- Uninstall any and all software with 'Silicon Motion' in the title that is present from within the Control Panel > Programs and Features (Apps and Features in Windows 10). If an entry is not listed in the Programs and Features application, the driver was likely installed automatically by Windows Update. Please then move on to the next step of installing the latest recommended driver
- Once the uninstallation has completed running, restart the host system (even if not prompted to)
- Download and install the latest version (that we recommend) of the Silicon Motion software driver
- If you disconnected the power adapter from your product in step one, please reconnect it so the device powers on, then reconnect the product to the host system. If the product is still not working as expected, please restart the host system one more time.
If, after having completed this process, your Plugable Silicon Motion device is still not working as expected, please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com with the output of our PlugDebug diagnostic utility and we will be happy to help