Ubuntu – Ubuntu 16.04 Dell XPS 15 does not detect external Monitor using HDMI

delldisplaydisplay-resolutionhdmimultiple-monitors

I have a DELL XPS 15. I am struggling to connect an external monitor to my Ubuntu Machine. This is my xrandr output. I tried installing nvidia driver etc but nothing works. The cable is good, so that shouldn't be the problem.

enter image description here

Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2048 x 1152, maximum 32767 x 32767
eDP1 connected primary 2048x1152+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 346mm x 194mm
3840x2160     60.00 +
3200x1800     60.00  
2880x1620     60.00  
2560x1440     60.00  
2048x1536     60.00  
1920x1440     60.00  
960x540       60.00  
800x600       60.32    56.25  
864x486       60.00  
640x480       59.94  
720x405       60.00  
640x360       60.00  

DP1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)


inxi -G 
Graphics:  Card-1: Intel Skylake Integrated Graphics
       Card-2: NVIDIA GM107M [GeForce GTX 960M]
       Display Server:  X.org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) FAILED: nouveau Resolution: N/A
       GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A


 lspci -nn | grep '\[03'

 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation HD Graphics 530 [8086:191b] (rev 06)
 01:00.0 3D controller [0302]: NVIDIA Corporation GM107M [GeForce GTX 960M] [10de:139b] (rev ff)

Best Answer

Do everything from a virtual console when it comes to NViDIA graphics drivers installation.
Also detach your external monitor during the NVIDIA graphics drivers installation process.
You have the latest drivers installed, so the Graphics Drivers PPA should already be added.

First completely uninstall every NVIDIA drivers and software you currently have installed.

Start the notebook and mark the Ubuntu entry in the GRUB boot menu, then press the E key.
Add nouveau.modeset=0 at the end of the linux line. Press the F10 key to boot the system.
Do not miss to set a Space between the last letter in the linux line and nouveau.modeset=0.

When the login screen appears press Ctrl+Alt+F1.
Enter your user name and password and then execute : 

sudo apt purge nvidia*
sudo reboot

Now re-install the latest stable NVIDIA drivers 378 (support NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 960M).

After that restart mark the Ubuntu entry in the GRUB boot menu again, then press the E key.
Add nouveau.modeset=0 at the end of the linux line. Press the F10 key to boot the system.
Do not miss to set a Space between the last letter in the linux line and nouveau.modeset=0.

When the login screen appears press Ctrl+Alt+F1.
Enter your user name and password and then execute : 

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvidia-378 nvidia-prime
sudo reboot

Make sure that the NVIDIA graphics are in use in the NVIDIA X Server Settings -> PRIME Profiles.
In case they are not in use switch to them, logout of the session and back in or reboot the system.
Now re-attach the external monitor to the HDMI port and it should be recognized right properly.

Update addressing your comment that it still does not work

Boot into the BIOS of your notebook and check whether you explicitly have to enable external monitor support - in some newer machines, especially in those with NVIDIA Optimus technology this option is implemented. Also check in System Settings / Displays whether you have to adjust something there.

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