What Does the D Symbol Beside the USB Port Mean?

The D symbol beside a USB-C port (with a P inside) indicates support for DisplayPort Alt Mode. This feature enables simultaneous transmission of audio, video, USB data, and power delivery over the DisplayPort standard, as governed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).

The D symbol next to the USB port may seem mysterious at first glance, but it refers to a key feature that will transform the performance of your devices.

According to Ambassador Arjan, nowadays USB-C ports have become common in various gadgets. In addition to data transfer and charging, these ports also have other functions. One of the most important of them is support for DisplayPort Alt Mode, which provides special multimedia features.

The D icon next to the USB-C port (with the letter P inside) indicates DisplayPort Alt Mode support. It provides simultaneous transmission of audio, video, USB data and power via the DisplayPort standard, under the supervision of the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).

This feature helps reduce cable clutter, as you can connect and power a compatible display with just one USB-C cable. However, not all USB-C ports that support this feature have the icon; Check the device documentation to be sure. The absence of a symbol is often due to the manufacturer not completing the membership, compliance testing, and licensing process for the VESA trademark.

Advantages and how to recognize DisplayPort Alt Mode

The benefits of DisplayPort Alt Mode include reduced cable clutter, easy connection to other displays via USB-C to HDMI, DVI or VGA adapters, and support for multiple monitors, although performance depends on the device's hardware.

The current DisplayPort 2.1b standard offers a bandwidth of 80 Gbps, which is suitable for very high resolutions and refresh rates such as 8K at 240 Hz, but requires devices with Thunderbolt or USB4 ports and a compatible graphics card. If you are not sure if your device's port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, you can connect a display to the port without damaging the hardware; In this case, a warning will be displayed on the screen.