How to fix Link Failure, a frustratingly common DisplayPort problem

A common problem you may encounter with your DisplayPort, which connects the monitor to a graphics card, is called Link Failure. This is when that connection fails. It mainly happens with AMD graphics cards, especially when the system wakes up from sleep mode. You can recognize the link failure by the fact that the screen suddenly switches to a lower resolution.

When this happens, the Radeon software will display an error message that disappears in a flash. In this case, open the software and look for the message that the monitor does not support the selected resolution or refresh rate. If the problem occurs after changing the screen resolution or refresh rate, it’s probably because the monitor cannot process the new settings.

Simply reset the settings to resolve the problem. However, if these link errors occur randomly, there are other causes. In this case, switch off the monitor, remove the DisplayPort cable, and disconnect the main plug.

Before disconnecting the cable, please ensure that it’s not live, as this will make it more difficult to remove. You’ll want to press lightly against the plug to release it before plugging it back in and switching the monitor on.

Further reading: HDMI vs. DisplayPort: Which display interface reigns supreme?

You might also see the “DisplayPort Not Recognized” or “No Signal” messages. This occurs when you’ve added a new hardware component to the connection. For example, a monitor, cable, or DisplayPort hub.

First check whether the monitor has selected the correct input source. Many monitors recognize the active input automatically, but you can’t always rely on this. This can happen if your monitor has several DisplayPort inputs, so make sure that the correct input is selected in the monitor menu.

If the problem persists, it may help to reset the cable connection. To do this, switch off the computer and monitor, disconnect the cable for about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in again. If available, you should also test the connection on another DisplayPort input.

Sometimes monitors require special drivers in order to utilize all functions. The automatically installed Windows drivers only include the basic functions. If you have not yet installed drivers for your monitor, visit the manufacturer’s website and download the appropriate drivers.

Outdated or faulty graphics card drivers can also cause issues. Please check whether the latest drivers are installed and if the problem occurs after an update, it may be helpful to revert to the previous version.

Another annoyance with a DisplayPort connection is flickering or tearing of the image, a common problem when playing games. It’s often caused by an inferior or defective cable. Cheap cables aren’t as robust as expensive versions, which can lead to image flickering problems. For this reason, try a different DisplayPort cable or switch to an HDMI connection to see if the problem persists.

If your monitor has multiple DisplayPort inputs, try different connections.

If you’re using a monitor with a refresh rate of 120, 144, or more, it may be helpful to reduce the frequency to eliminate the flickering. If the problem persists, there may be a driver issue, although this is rather rare.

Driver errors often lead to more noticeable faults such as a complete loss of signal, which indicates that there may be another underlying problem. Overall, DisplayPort problems are annoying but often easy to solve.

Whether it’s by resetting cable connections, updating drivers, or switching to a higher quality cable, by taking the right steps you can quickly resolve such issues and utilize the full performance of your monitor.