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Belkin USB-C to VGA Adapter Not Working With Brand New 2018 Mac Mini

H

honestone33

Suspended
Original poster
Oct 17, 2019
1,806
808
Kent, WA; about 25 miles south of Seattle
Please excuse another thread about displays, adapters/connectors, and the 2018 Mac Mini, but I could use some help.

Prior to purchasing my 2018 Mac Mini (i5, 256 gig SSD, 8 gig of RAM) today, I made sure about the adapter I would need for my Sony 19" Monitor: a USB-C to VGA Adapter, and specifically made by Belkin. Well, after getting home from Portland and connecting my brand new 2018 Mac Mini, nothing gets displayed on the monitor! I tried all 4 USB-C ports on the Mini, and still no dice. I can see that the Mini is powering up, and that the monitor is on, but nothing. I made sure BOTH connections (ie, the USB-C, and the VGA connectors) were properly, and securely, connected. But, still nothing. The monitor still works, though, with my late 2012 Mac Mini, with its adapter. In fact, that is how I am posting this.

Given that I do not have another monitor, I am assuming the adapter is somehow deficient. On the box for the adapter, it does say "Compatible with devices that have a video-enabled USB-C port". From what I understand, and also from the little booklet that came with the Mini, all the USB-C ports are video-enabled.

I am thinking of bringing the Mini to the nearest Best Buy, to get some assistance. But, in case they "balk" at that, I am thinking of purchasing an HDMI-to-VGA Adapter:

www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy: Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black NS-PG95503

Shop Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com

Any chance the HDMI-to-VGA Adapter would definitely work?
 
honestone33 said:
Please excuse another thread about displays, adapters/connectors, and the 2018 Mac Mini, but I could use some help.

Prior to purchasing my 2018 Mac Mini (i5, 256 gig SSD, 8 gig of RAM) today, I made sure about the adapter I would need for my Sony 19" Monitor: a USB-C to VGA Adapter, and specifically made by Belkin. Well, after getting home from Portland and connecting my brand new 2018 Mac Mini, nothing gets displayed on the monitor! I tried all 4 USB-C ports on the Mini, and still no dice. I can see that the Mini is powering up, and that the monitor is on, but nothing. I made sure BOTH connections (ie, the USB-C, and the VGA connectors) were properly, and securely, connected. But, still nothing. The monitor still works, though, with my late 2012 Mac Mini, with its adapter. In fact, that is how I am posting this.

Given that I do not have another monitor, I am assuming the adapter is somehow deficient. On the box for the adapter, it does say "Compatible with devices that have a video-enabled USB-C port". From what I understand, and also from the little booklet that came with the Mini, all the USB-C ports are video-enabled.

I am thinking of bringing the Mini to the nearest Best Buy, to get some assistance. But, in case they "balk" at that, I am thinking of purchasing an HDMI-to-VGA Adapter:

www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy: Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black NS-PG95503

Shop Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com

Any chance the HDMI-to-VGA Adapter would definitely work?
Click to expand...
Try it and find out. You can always return it if it doesn't.
I'm unsure as to why the USB-C to VGA adapter doesn't work. I own a Belkin one for my Surface Book 2 and it works just fine. Perhaps your particular Belkin adapter itself is defective.
 
Tell us what the name and number of the monitor is.
Tell us what OTHER kind of connection ports are on the back of the monitor.

If you can't get it working using a VGA type connection, you might have to try something different.
If you can't get it working with the 2018 Mini at all, it might be time to try a different DISPLAY...
 
Fishrrman said:
Tell us what the name and number of the monitor is.
Tell us what OTHER kind of connection ports are on the back of the monitor.

If you can't get it working using a VGA type connection, you might have to try something different.
If you can't get it working with the 2018 Mini at all, it might be time to try a different DISPLAY...
Click to expand...
The Monitor is a Sony 19" TFT LCD Color Computer Display (exact description from its manual), model SDM-S93.

The adapter that works with my late 2012 Mac Mini is a Rocketfish Mini Display Port-to-VGA Adapter.

As for any OTHER connection ports on the monitor, there are none. The monitor comes supplied with an already connected HD15-HD15 video signal cable.
[automerge]1580668509[/automerge]
xraydoc said:
Try it and find out. You can always return it if it doesn't.
I'm unsure as to why the USB-C to VGA adapter doesn't work. I own a Belkin one for my Surface Book 2 and it works just fine. Perhaps your particular Belkin adapter itself is defective.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I plan on doing just that. Best Buy has them. Just wish I could test the Belkin one another way.
 
Last edited:
This cable might do the job, but it's $70:
www.apple.com

USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter

USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter lets you connect your USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) enabled Mac to a VGA display, standard USB devices, and charging cables. Buy now at apple.com.
www.apple.com

...But there's no guarantee that that one would work, where the Belkin connector you have now does not.

OK, my best suggestion:
GET A NEW DISPLAY, one with displayport, HDMI, and DVI inputs.

I'd suggest 24" or (better yet) 27" this time.
Perhaps even a 32" 1440p display.

I'd do that before I'd risk $70 on another cable that may not work.
 
Fishrrman said:
This cable might do the job, but it's $70:
www.apple.com

USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter

USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter lets you connect your USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) enabled Mac to a VGA display, standard USB devices, and charging cables. Buy now at apple.com.
www.apple.com

...But there's no guarantee that that one would work, where the Belkin connector you have now does not.

OK, my best suggestion:
GET A NEW DISPLAY, one with displayport, HDMI, and DVI inputs.

I'd suggest 24" or (better yet) 27" this time.
Perhaps even a 32" 1440p display.

I'd do that before I'd risk $70 on another cable that may not work.
Click to expand...
I am NOT going to spend $70 on an adapter! What I plan on doing is 1) going to the Apple Store and purchase another Belkin USB-C-VGA Adapter (only costs $29.99), and 2) going to Best Buy and purchasing this HDMI-to-VGA Adapter:

www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy: Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black NS-PG95503

Shop Insignia™ HDMI-to-VGA Adapter Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com

If the one from the Apple Store works, I'll return the other defective one. If it does not work, but the one from Best Buy does, I'll return the two USB-C ones to the Apple Store.

But, if neither of them work, then yes, I guess I need a new monitor. I am planning on selling the late 2012 Mac Mini, so maybe including a monitor (with a working adapter) could make for a faster sale (of course the selling price would need to reflect the inclusion of the monitor).

I'll report back what happens, maybe later on today.
 
This is one of those "sad, but true" situations. It sucks that we can't connect new boxes to perfectly fine older monitors, but that's how life comes at us these days. I second the suggestion to just bow to the inevitable and get a new display. That's how I ended up "fixing" my last new box/old monitor disconnect.

Brings up a question - does this sort of problem happen in the PC world as much as it is in AppleLand?
 
Well, no go. Purchased a brand new Belkin USB-C-VGA Adapter from the Apple Store, and a brand new Insignia HDMI-to-VGA Adapter from Best Buy, and neither of them worked with my Sony monitor and the new Mac Mini. Really frustrating, as the monitor works flawlessly with the Rocketfish Mini Display Port-to-VGA Adapter. Feels like I am taking a step backwards!

Of course, the other unknown is whether or not the USB-C Ports, and the HDMI port, on the new Mac Mini are actually OK. Without a more "modern" monitor to test that with, I cannot verify that. Anyone have any suggestions about that?

Just tried another test. Connected the Insignia HDMI-to-VGA Adapter to the HDMI port on my late 2012 Mac Mini, and again, no go! So, it seems that only the Roketfish Mini Display Port-to-VGA Adapter will work with my monitor.

By the way, here are the specs regarding monitor connectivity for my late 2012 Mini:

"*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI display or a DVI display using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port)"

So, I am using that last option, ie, an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port. A couple of other interesting facts: when I do an About This Mac, and then select Thunderbolt, it shows no connection. But when I select Graphics/Displays, it shows my monitor model SDM-HS93. and for Connection Type, it says "Analog VGA or Analog Over DVI-I".

My 2018 Mac Mini has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports (USB-C Connector). Would it be worth a try to see if an Analog VGA or Analog Over DVI-I - to - Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C Connector) Adapter exists?
 
Last edited:
Saw this on Best Buy's site:

www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy: LG 24" IPS LED FHD 75Hz FreeSync Monitor (HDMI, VGA) Black 24ML44B-B

Shop LG 24" IPS LED FHD 75Hz FreeSync Monitor (HDMI, VGA) Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com

Darn good price, and 24" is easily big enough for me. Plus, they have them in stock at the Best Buy about 10 minutes from my place.

Opinions?
 
Two thoughts:
- Did you try adjusting anything in Preferences Display? A long shot, but ...
- LG in general makes nice monitors and displays. Late last week I bought a 43-in 4K LG TV for $220 for BB. Don't know how they can be priced so low. I have an LG as one of 3 on my desk - totally happy with it.

I should note that my neighbor bought a 2019 16-MBP and wanted to connect to his Apple Cinema over DVI. It works for about 10 sec, then quits. (repeat). Something is going on , but hard to know what.
 
kohlson said:
Two thoughts:
- Did you try adjusting anything in Preferences Display? A long shot, but ...
- LG in general makes nice monitors and displays. Late last week I bought a 43-in 4K LG TV for $220 for BB. Don't know how they can be priced so low. I have an LG as one of 3 on my desk - totally happy with it.

I should note that my neighbor bought a 2019 16-MBP and wanted to connect to his Apple Cinema over DVI. It works for about 10 sec, then quits. (repeat). Something is going on , but hard to know what.
Click to expand...
IF my Sony monitor could have been "working", then I could have made any adjustments. But that was not the case, as I clearly stated that nothing appeared on the screen.

Regarding he LG monitor, I guess that low price was only for this past weekend. I'm tempted to call and ask them if they would give me that price, and I would insure them I would purchase it today,
 
Well, I'm good to go with my new 2018 Mac Mini. I went ahead and purchased a Samsung 24" Monitor from Best Buy:

www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy: Samsung SF350 Series S24F350FHN 24" LED FHD FreeSync Monitor (HDMI, VGA) High Glossy Black S24F350

Shop Samsung SF350 Series S24F350FHN 24" LED FHD FreeSync Monitor (HDMI, VGA) High Glossy Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com www.bestbuy.com

It was on sale, and I am very happy with it. We actually now have 15 Samsung "devices" in our place, so we are definitely good customers! I used an HDMI cable to connect the monitor to the Mini. Sure is nice having all this screen "real estate".

To get my Mac Mini setup, however, was a challenge! First, the machine came with V10.14.3 of Mojave, which is OK. But apparently either as a default or something else, there was a setting that would not allow the machine to be booted from an external device. Got that fixed, but it took be 3 tries to successfully boot from my SuperDuper! backup on one of my external SSDs. For the first try, the Mini said that a software update needed to be performed, and that was for upgrading to the last version of Mojave. But finally got the machine to boot from that backup. Erased the internal SSD inside the Mini, did a fresh, clean installation of OS 10.15.3 onto it, and then migrated/copied needed files, folders, apps, settings, etc. from the backup.

So, all is good. Got my late 2012 and the Sony monitor advertised on craig's list. Hopefully I'll get some offers. Anyone have any suggestions as to where else I can try and sell them?
 
Just an update. My 2018 Mac Mini is a pleasure! It is definitely fast. And the Samsung 24" Monitor is working out well also.

I was also able to sell my late 2012 Mac Mini for $250 via craig's list. Not bad for a machine I used for more than 7 years. The Core i7 processor it has was certainly helpful. I actually had 3 viable inquiries almost at the same time.

I have the Sony 19" Monitor advertised on craig's list for $55. Might be a little high, although I did see used ones on Amazon advertised for $50. Anyone know where else I can try and sell it?
 
I also have a Belkin USB-C to VGA Adapter, and it has not been very good for my 2016 Macbook. Displays recognize that something is plugged in, when I attach their cable to the adapter, but my Macbook has not been very forthcoming. Most of the time it doesn't detect anything, sometimes it works initially but then looses the connection at random. I have tried it with multiple projectors and a single Dell display. In the end I gave up and bought one of Apples HDMI/USB-A/USB-C adapters instead, and that has been working flawlessly. If it is a substandard or faulty product I do not know.
 
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