hdmi - USB Video Output fails with One External Monitor but works as a Second External Monitor

I recently was given two VGA only monitors: Dell e173FPb and a model number not on me. So I purchased these VGA converters: HDMI to VGA Converter and USB 3 to VGA Adapter. My hope was that I could use both monitors at the same time for 3 displays. And it worked.

But more recently, I decided to bring one monitor home, leaving the other at work. I have tested both monitors and they work well with the HDMI to VGA converter.

So I decided to use the USB to VGA adapter at home as an extended display. Unfortunately it seems to not work with either monitor. With the Dell monitor, I get brief video only when switching the monitor on and off or switching settings. With the other monitor, it only seems to receive video if I duplicate displays, which is useless to me.

Also, I doubt this helps, but I have successfully used the USB to VGA adapter with a different monitor entirely, so I know it can work with that setup.

This leads to a few questions that might help me solve this issue, or at the very least, prevent my frustration from boiling over.

1. Why am I able to use the USB to VGA adapter in a 2 monitor setup but not in a 1 monitor setup?


2. Why does the Dell monitor only receive video briefly when switching?


3. Why does the other monitor only receive video when duplicating displays?


4. Is there any way at all I can fix this to work with my current monitors (and not buying a new one)?