Hot plug HDMI connection doesn't work on Ubuntu

Question

I am using elementaryOS Loki (OS based on Ubuntu) on Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming 7566. Althought HDMI connection is working for both my screen and TV, it works only when I reboot the computer with HDMI connected and device on (so I need to reboot every time I connect new device).

I am not using any additional drivers except those preinstalled on the system. So is there something I can do about that or is it just a hardware "problem" of my laptop?

Solution

Just solved this on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS on Dell Inspiron 13 with intel+nvidia graphics. Took me over a year.

I only installed HWE kernel and HWE X-server as instructed here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LTSEnablementStack

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04

No more restarts to connect a second monitor.

Comments

[user0815]

I have the same issue on Ubuntu 16.04 and 17.04. No solution yet. Any help is very much appreciated.

[WinEunuuchs2Unix]

@user0815 Another Ask Ubuntu User had issues with HDMI hot plugging. You might want to review that link and the whole site. You get 100 associated points for just joining the site and will be able to post comments right away.

[user0815]

In my case the status is never set to connected even though the HDMI cable is plugged in. Thus, I guess the script won't help much.

[WinEunuuchs2Unix]

@user0815 I've done some googling and there are many bug reports going back a few years with Nvidia hotplugging. Are you using Nvidia?