HDMI dummy plugs keep failing?

The subject kinda is my question.

I bought a multi pack of HDMI 4K dummy plugs to use with passthrough cards.

They work well for several days, maybe even a few weeks, and then they die.

I have no idea what kills them, is the the GPU itself? It’s not like I’m plugging and unplugging them repeatedly so I don’t know how it could be ESD for example.

GPU in question is a Gigabyte GTX 1660, several years old.

I guess I only think they’re dead. The virtual machine no longer detects the fake monitor. Take out the dead one, plug in a new one, works again. Maybe there’s something else going on?

Suggestions?

Once they die, do the dead ones stay dead?
Maybe providing the manufacturer could be helpful; for example if this brand is very poorly made and the dongles overheat in some way?
Do the plugs get very hot during use; does a real HDMI cable plugged in the same location get similarly hot?
Were you able to observe one as it died, or has it always died in between boots or uses?

I have not used one of these types of plugs, so I am very much speculating, but nevertheless, answers to the above may help others on the forum help you.

There’s no manufacturer, just anonymous Chinese electronics factory #11 or what have you. No branding at all, and the seller name is just a random assortment of letters that seems to be the trend lately. The plugs are cold when I remove them from the running machine.

I haven’t cut one open, I’m guessing all that’s in there is an 8pin chip with no markings and maybe a few passive components.

The card works fine with a monitor, I just don’t have a spare 1080p monitor to leave plugged in and turned on, to make the card happy for remote access.

1 Like

Use this virtual USB display driver I show here. Got it from a Craft Computing video.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/156eAvQvaqbtLEz8fiy0_Nq18rgnWqGRG
Everything shown was done through Steam remote play, with no actual display or EDID plug attached.

I’ll check that out, thanks for the link.

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