Troubleshooting

Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do?

When you troubleshoot issues with a VGA cable, there are some quick tests that you can
complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following
components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

 Video cables
 Video source
 Video destination

To test your setup components, try the following:

 Use the video cables, source, and destination in another setup to see if the problem is with
the components or the setup.
 Use a different video cable, source, and destination in your setup to see if the problem
persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

 Test each cable individually.

 Use short cables when you are testing.

There are several issues that could be causing you to experience an issue with the color on your
VGA display when you use a StarTech.com VGA cable. Issues with the color include an image
that is a solid color or is missing colors (typically red, green, or blue).

To prevent issues, make sure that the following is true:

 The cable is tightly screwed into each of the ports.

 The female connectors/ports are free of debris or anything that may prevent electrical
conductivity.
 No pins are bent or missing in male VGA connectors/ports.

Note: VGA cables come in 14-pin and 15-pin variants. For more information about VGA cables,
refer to the following FAQs:

 14 pin
FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/vga_cables_14_pin_vs_15_pin_14_pin_version.
 15 pin
FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/vga_cables_14_pin_vs_15_pin_15_pin_version.

Why does this VGA cable not have pin 9 while others do have it?
There are two types of VGA cables: 14-pin and 15-pin. 14-pin cables will work in most
applications, but 15-pin cables may be required for wider display compatibility. This product is
a 14-pin VGA cable.

Pin 9 was removed from 14-pin cables because the key signal became obsolete with modern
computer monitors and was no longer used in the default applications of the VGA standard.

However, Pin 9 has recently been reintroduced as a power supply pin to power circuity in certain
displays. This pin does not power an entire display, but it is required for data communication
between the display and the computer. The data communication between the display (Display
Data Channel or DDC) communicates display information such as maximum resolution and the
name of the display.

If you are unsure which cable type you require for your application, you can check the
manufacturer specifications. Typically, computer monitors only require 14-pin cables and
televisions require 15-pin cables.

When should I use a longer video cable vs. a video extender?

You should only use video converters and extenders if it is absolutely necessary to do so. In
many cases, most video converters and extenders are not necessary if you purchase the correct
cable.

The following table lists the maximum length of cable for common video standards.

Video standard Maximum length

DisplayPort 50 ft. (15.2m)

HDMI 50 ft. (15.2m)

DVI 50 ft. (15.2m)

VGA 200 ft. (71m)

Note: StarTech.com offers cables longer than what is listed above, including active cables,
which typically include built-in active signal boosters that allow for longer cables. Active
cables are specifically designed to exceed the suggested maximum lengths and are tested at the
listed specifications (for example, the maximum listed resolution).

Video adapters

Video adapters passively adapt a cable from one connector type to another. Video adapters do
not change the signal type, or change the video standard.

Examples of common applications for adapters include the following:

  DVI-I to VGA
 RCA to BNC
 Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort
 Couplers (female to female, or male to male)

Note: You can use a coupler to extend a cable for a short distance. However, each coupler that
you use can introduce signal loss, which degrades the signal quality.

Video converters

Video converters actively process and change the signal type from one video standard and
convert it to another standard. They are typically used to convert digital to analog and vice versa,
but can be used to convert a digital signal to another digital video standard (for example, HDMI
to DisplayPort).

Video converters work over short distances from the source to the destination: up to 15 feet or 3
meters.

Video extenders

Video extenders convert an input signal to a higher voltage for transmission over longer
distances and then convert the input signal back to the original video standard. The input and the
output signal will match on a video extender, as the same video standard is maintained end-to-
end. If a cable is extended with adapters or converters, the signal quality degrades.