No Signal: Use DP to HDMI Cable to Connect Display to Orin

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a "no signal" issue when attempting to connect a 7-inch LCD (H) display to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The symptoms include:

• No output on the display after connection.
• The issue occurs during the initial setup phase when users attempt to boot the device with the display connected.
• The hardware involved includes the Jetson Orin Nano and a Waveshare 7-inch Capacitive Touch Screen LCD (1024×600, HDMI).
• This problem seems to be consistent, as multiple users have reported similar experiences.
• The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents users from accessing the graphical interface necessary for further setup and development.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the "no signal" issue can be identified:

• Hardware Incompatibility: The display may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano, especially if it requires specific drivers or settings not configured by default.
• Connection Issues: Poor connections or faulty cables (e.g., DP to HDMI) could lead to signal loss.
• Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers may prevent proper communication between the display and the Jetson board.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the system configuration files could lead to output issues.
• Power Supply Issues: Insufficient power supply may affect the operation of both the Jetson board and the connected display.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the "no signal" issue, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Connections:

   • Ensure that all cables are securely connected. Inspect the DP to HDMI cable for any visible damage.

2. Use UART Console:

   • Access the board via UART console and check logs for errors:

     cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log
     

   • Look for any error messages that might indicate what is going wrong.

3. Test with Different Displays:

   • If possible, connect a different HDMI-compatible display to verify whether the issue lies with the original display.

4. Update Drivers:

   • Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your Jetson Orin Nano. Refer to NVIDIA’s documentation for driver updates:
     • Jetson Download Center

5. Check Power Supply:

   • Verify that you are using a compatible power supply (19V for Orin Nano). An inadequate power supply can lead to hardware malfunction.

6. Modify Configuration Files:

   • Edit configuration files if necessary. For example, ensure that /boot/firmware/config.txt has appropriate settings for HDMI output.

7. Re-flash SD Card with JetPack:

   • If issues persist, consider re-flashing your SD card with a stable version of JetPack (preferably JetPack 5.x instead of 6.x):

     sudo apt install sdkmanager
     

   • Follow instructions from NVIDIA’s SDK Manager documentation for flashing.

8. Recovery Mode:

   • If you cannot access the system, try booting into recovery mode by shorting specific pins on the board as described in NVIDIA’s documentation.

9. Consult Community Forums:

   • Engage with community forums like NVIDIA Developer Forums for additional support and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Always ensure that your hardware components are compatible before setting up.
    • Regularly update your software and firmware to avoid bugs related to outdated drivers.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their no signal issue when connecting displays to their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.