Dock and System Setup/Configure Guide

Note: Make sure the dock is connected to the correct system port.

The functionality of the USB-C port varies. Check the system capability first if there are any issues. For dock capability refer to: www.lenovo.com/support/docks.

Some of the docks may have different functions, such as the following:

• with charging only
• with charging capability and USB data only
• with charging, USB data, and DP data supported
• Thunderbolt 3 port with charging
• Thunderbolt 3 port without charging
• different video capability such as up to DP1.2 or DP1.4
• systems with both USB-C port and Thunderbolt ports
• system with two Thunderbolt ports, the port with Thunderbolt icon is preferred for dock

Note: The dock side USB-C port with a computer icon is for connecting to systems. The other port is for device connection.

Thunderbolt Software Approval for Thunderbolt Dock Connection

For Thunderbolt docks, check if the following software exists.

1. Go to the Approve Attached Devices menu option.
2. Make sure the Thunderbolt dock is approved.
   

Note: For some systems, authorization may not be required for dock connection as stated above, if the BIOS default setting for security level in Thunderbolt section is No security.

This is the expected behavior if there are no functionality issues after the dock is attached.

Critical Firmware/Driver for Docks

1. Dock performance depends on the system and key components:

BIOS/Thunderbolt Firmware/PD Firmware/Video Graphics driver/Thunderbolt Driver

Different systems may have different names for the above firmware or driver. Check the public host documents with available paths such as:

• Service call center
• Official website
• Account/Sales representative

After updating, restart the system. A shutdown and reboot may be needed to make the updates effective. For details, refer to the software readme. For example:

• Restart the system after driver installation has finished: Thunderbolt Driver/Video Graphics Driver.
• Shut down the system and boot again after firmware flashing is done: BIOS/Thunderbolt Firmware.

Note: Thunderbolt driver is different from Thunderbolt Firmware for the system.

2. Make sure the dock firmware and drivers are installed correctly and up to date. Make sure the dock firmware package has integrated all relevant chips firmware.

For dock Firmware and Driver, see: www.lenovo.com/support/docks.

To check if the dock contains the latest firmware version, execute the firmware update tool and select Check version.

• Dock firmware package supports silent deployment. For details, refer to firmware readme file.
• Do not disconnect Dock during firmware and driver updates; otherwise, there may be un-recoverable issues.
• The Thunderbolt Firmware on Thunderbolt docks is different from the Thunderbolt Firmware.

Note: The operating system is also important for dock side devices to function properly.

Dock and System cable connection and Power adapter

Note: Improper hardware connection/setup may cause abnormal functional.

• Check Dock and System cable connection and Power adapter.
• Make sure the signal cable that originally shipped with the dock is being used.
• Third-party cables or cables that merely appear to fit are not officially supported by Lenovo, and may cause operation errors.

• Use the power adapter that originally shipped with the dock.
• For dock maximum charging capability, refer to overview pages.

Limitations

Some features on the dock which need system design implementation may not work with non-Lenovo systems such as:

• PXE boot
• Wake on Lan
• Mac address pass through
• Power button mirror system power button
• LED mirror system LED

Dock display capability depends on system design topology, so display resolution on external monitors might vary while working with different hosts.

Troubleshooting list:

1. All ports on dock are not functional.
2. Dock does not charge.
3. Only charging for system when dock is attached.
4. USB ports are not functioning on the docking station.
5. The LAN port is not functioning.
6. The Headset/Microphone does not work properly on dock audio port.
7. The 2.4GHZ wireless keyboard or 2.4GHZ wireless mouse function is interrupted.
8. The mouse and keyboard cannot wake up my computer when connected to the Always on USB 3.0 port.
9. No display on the monitor attached to dock.
10. Display flickering on the monitor attached to dock.
11. No display after wake from Power save mode/sleep.
12. Speaker/headset attached to dock does not work.
13. Popping noise occurs on headset when connected to dock.
14. The charging speed becomes slow after I connect my device (such as a phone) to the dock for charging.
15. My mobile phone or other USB device cannot be charged after I connect it to the Always on USB 3.0 port.

1. All ports on dock are not functional.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Use the correct power adapter shipped with the dock station.
3. Refer to the setup or configure guide to check and update. Updating the Thunderbolt firmware in both the system and dock is extremely important.
4. Swap dock unit and systems. Check if single unit issue.
5. Shut down the computer. Push the hardware reset hole. Refer to system documentation for details.

2. Dock does not charge.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Use the correct power adapter shipped with the dock station.
3. Refer to the setup or configure guide to check and update. Updating the Thunderbolt firmware in both the system and dock is extremely important.
4. Swap dock unit and systems. Check if single unit issue.
5. Shut down the computer. Push hardware reset hole. Refer to system documentation for details.

3. Only charging for system when dock is attached.

1. Make sure the setup is correct. Refer to the setup guide.
2. Re-scan in Device Manager to detect hardware and check if able to get port working.
3. Refer to the setup or configure guide to check and update system and dock. Updating the Thunderbolt firmware in both the system and dock is extremely important.
4. Swap dock unit and systems. Check if single unit issue.
5. Shut down the computer. Push hardware reset hole. Refer to system documentation for details.

4. USB ports are not functioning on the docking station.

This includes general USB devices such as Mouse/Keyboard/USB storage/USB Headset, etc.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Try plugging in the USB device into anther USB port on the docking station.
3. Disconnect the dock from the computer and remove the power adapter from the dock. Reconnect the power adapter to the dock, then reconnect the dock to the computer.

5. The LAN port is not functioning.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Make sure the Ethernet cable is connected securely to the dock station and Ethernet hub or router.

6. The Headset/Microphone does not work properly on dock audio port.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Make sure the correct playback device is selected on the computer.
3. Make sure the audio cable is firmly attached.

7. The 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard or 2.4 GHz wireless mouse function is interrupted.

The mouse pointer lags or cannot move. Some characters are lost when you input with the keyboard.

1. Make sure that you connect your 2.4 GHz device receiver to the front USB 3.0 connector on the dock, or the USB port with the keyboard/mouse icon.
2. Avoid connecting another USB 3.0 device next to the connector with the receiver attached.

8. The mouse and keyboard cannot wake up my computer when connected to the Always On USB 3.0 port.

Make sure that the mouse or keyboard is connected to another USB connector on the dock instead of the Always On USB 3.0 connector.

9. No display on the monitor attached to dock.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Open Control Panel.
   
3. Go to the Multiple Displays section to set the display settings to expected mode: Extended Mode/Clone Mode.
   1. From the desktop, move the pointer to the bottom-left corner of the screen, and then search for Control Panel in the search box.
   2. Depending on the Control Panel mode, do one of the following:
   3. Click Display-> Change display settings.
   4. Click Appearance and Personalization->Display-> Change display settings.
   5. In the Multiple displays drop-down list box, select the mode you want.
4. Refer to the link to set proper display resolutions on dock monitors: https://support.lenovo.com/solutions/pd029622.
5. Try to power off and power on the monitor again.

10. Display flickering on the monitor attached to dock.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the dock from the system.
2. Open Control Panel and refer to dock overview page to set proper display resolutions on the dock monitor.
   1. From the desktop, move the pointer to the bottom-left corner of the screen, and then search for Control Panel in the search box.
      
   2. Depending on the Control Panel mode, do one of the following:
   3. Click Display-> Change display settings.
   4. Click Appearance and Personalization->Display-> Change display settings-Advanced display settings.
   5. In the Resolution drop-down list box, move the slider up to increase or down to decrease the resolution of the external monitor.
3. Disconnect and connect the monitor from the dock station or power cycle the monitor.
4. Use the correct USB-C cable which was bundled with the dock station.
5. Make sure the display resolution is set to dock supported scenario: https://support.lenovo.com/solutions/pd029622.
6. Make sure the monitor cable between dock and monitor is the correct one. In general it should be shipped with the monitor.
7. Try to change the cable unit to see if able to recover.

11. No display after wake from Power save mode/sleep.

External monitors lose display after wake from power save mode/sleep mode.

1. Check if the Thunderbolt icon shows the dock is connected. If not, set to ALWAYS connected (Thunderbolt docks only).
2. Rescan for hardware changes in Device Manager.
3. Open the Graphics control panel. Check if the monitor is detected. Set to display if detected.
4. Power off and power on the monitor to check if it works.
5. Disable the following option and see if the issue still occurs.

12. Speaker/Headset attached to dock does not work.

By default, ThinkPad and other Lenovo computers use the headset and microphone combo connector on the dock, and disable built-in audio connectors when the dock is connected.

To enable the built-in audio connectors on the computer, do the following:

• Right-click the Volume icon in the Windows notification area.
• Select Sounds. The Sound window is displayed.
• Click the Playback tab to select a built-in audio device, and then click the Recording tab to select another built-in audio device.

Note: To apply the new settings, restart the applications that are using the audio devices. The adjusted settings will be saved until you change the settings next time.

13. Popping noise occurs on headset attached to dock.

1. Make sure the dock firmware and driver are up to date.
2. Make sure the system Thunderbolt firmware is up to date.
3. Change headset to another USB port for external USB headset.

14. The charging speed becomes slow, after I connect my device (such as a mobile phone) to the dock for charging.

Connect your mobile phone to the Always On USB 3.0 connector. Disconnect the dock from the computer, and the charging speed may be faster.

15. My mobile phone or other USB device cannot be charged after I connect it to the Always On USB 3.0 port.

It is recommended that you can disconnect the dock from the computer and then you can charge the mobile phone or other USB device.