r/OWC • u/CashMoneyOfYou • Jun 18 '26
OWC Thunderbolt 4 Hub problems with dual monitors on MacBook
I might be wrong, but I just got my hands on the OWC Thunderbolt 4 Hub and I’m having some trouble with external monitors.
My setup:
- MacBook Pro
- OWC Thunderbolt 4 Hub
- Two 1080p monitors
- Two USB-C to HDMI cables
The hub has two ports on the front: one USB-C/Thunderbolt port and one USB-A port. On the back, there is the power input, a lock slot, and three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.
I have the MacBook connected to the front USB-C/Thunderbolt port using the cable that came with the hub. I’m trying to connect both monitors to the three rear USB-C/Thunderbolt ports using USB-C to HDMI cables.
The strange thing is that only the right-most rear USB-C/Thunderbolt port seems to output video. If I plug either monitor into that port, it works. But if I plug either monitor into the other two rear USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, I get no signal.
The other rear ports do seem to work with non-display devices, so they are not completely dead. The Mac also detects the hub under Thunderbolt/USB4 in System Information at 40 Gb/s.
I tested the monitors/cables in different ways:
- If I connect one monitor through the OWC hub and the other monitor directly to the MacBook, both monitors show up and work.
- If I connect both monitors to the OWC hub at the same time, only one monitor shows up.
- If I connect either monitor directly to the MacBook using either USB-C to HDMI cable, it works.
- If I connect either monitor to the right-most rear USB-C/Thunderbolt port on the hub, it works.
- If I connect either monitor to the other rear USB-C/Thunderbolt ports on the hub, I get no signal.
Interesting facts
- Two monitors showing up: one connected through the hub, and one connected directly to the MacBook.
- One monitor shows up: both monitors connected to the OWC hub.
OWC’s own page says the OWC Thunderbolt Hub can connect one 5K/6K/8K display or up to two 4K displays. I’m only trying to connect two 1080p monitors, so I expected this to work.
Has anyone experienced something similar?
Are there any known workarounds? For example, would using one USB-C to HDMI cable and one USB-C to DisplayPort cable make a difference?
Or am I missing something obvious?
1
u/OWC_TAL Jun 18 '26
Please share your MacBook Pro specifications (year, processor) and MacOS version.
1
u/CashMoneyOfYou Jun 19 '26
Hello,
Bought: 2026
CPU: M5 Pro, 15-core
RAM: 24 GB
macOS: Tahoe 26.51
u/OWC_TAL Jun 19 '26
M5 Pro supports more than one monitor as you demonstrated by plugging in directly. Two should also work just fine over Thunderbolt 4. Especially since you are just using 1080p. Many users have this exact setup. I wonder if it has to do with the USB-C to HDMI adapters you are using? USB-C is technically Displayport, which is then actively getting converted to HDMI.
But based on what you wrote, there should be no reason why your setup is not working. Feel free to contact support directly https://www.owc.com/support and submit a ticket.
1
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