Dell docking station issues

[jmak]

We're having issues with Dell docking stations with Dell latitude laptops and Dell monitors.

They were working last week and now seem to be gradually failing to display. Mostly they detect the displays, but nothing appears on the screens.

 

I've updated BIOS and drivers, tried Dell display manager and Dell optimizer software, swapped cables.

 

Mostly Dell 5430s with i5 and WD19 USB C docks, but some with docks built in to monitors. The HDMI output works. The dock still provides power and network and connects to mouse and keyboard.

 

Anytime seeing anything similar?

[Steve101]

Update the firmware on the docks.

[Guest Guest]

I previously had a similar issue with the same dock, seemed to start after the firmware was updated.

 

Was replaced by Dell, the firmware was updated automatically last week and now the issue seems to be present again

[jmak]

Update the firmware on the docks.

 

 

 

I previously had a similar issue with the same dock, seemed to start after the firmware was updated.

 

Was replaced by Dell, the firmware was updated automatically last week and now the issue seems to be present again

 

As it's spreading (more cases since first post), I think it's new firmware, not old firmware.

I did have one user report that it had magically started working again yesterday afternoon (no reboot of computer, monitor just jumped into life), so maybe they're rolling out a fix...

 

Rolling back firmware on peripherals is more annoying than clients (no restore points or easy "uninstall this update" options). Oh well....

[jmak]

Just gone to update my system through Dell Command Update and it now had the following warning at the top:

 

Warning: The power adaptor and any peripheral devices such as Dell type-C docks must not be disconnected from the system while installing BIOS and/or firmware updates. Disconnecting such devices during installation may lead to system instability or unusable peripheral devices. [/Quote]

 

Obviously I knew about not disconnecting power during BIOS updates, but I hadn't come across the docking station and peripherals advice. So what happens when a user takes their laptop home where there's no docking station and then comes back into the office to use one? Or where they use multiple types of docking station?

 

Questions for Dell really.... Any suggestions on how to fix broken ones appreciated....