Symptoms

A message appears during POST if a Dell Thunderbolt docking station is connected to a non-Thunderbolt USB Type-C port (Figure1) on any Dell laptop Pressing the F1 key allows the laptop to boot normally (Figure 3). NOTE: The Dell Thunderbolt Docking Stations functions on devices with a USB Type-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C or Thunderbolt. When connected to a DisplayPort over USB Type-C port, the Thunderbolt dock functions as a WD19 or WD19S USB-C dock. Figure 1: Non-Thunderbolt USB Type-C port with DisplayPort icon Figure 2: Thunderbolt USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt icon Figure 3: Error Message The Docking Station you have connected cannot provide full functionality while connected to the current port. If you have a Thunderbolt port, attach the docking station to that port for full functionality. The error message informs you that you should not expect Thunderbolt connectivity from the dock. This is because it is not attached to a Thunderbolt port on the computer which it is attached to. To verify which computers are compatible with what docking stations, see the Dell Docks Compatibility Guide (English only). See the Dell Docking Stations library page for related information. Dell Guide to USB-C and Thunderbolt How to Fix Issues Duration: 00:03:51 (hh:mm:ss)When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the CC icon on this video player.

Cause

A BIOS update resolves this.

Resolution

Updating the latest BIOS version on the computer helps to resolve the issue. To download and install the latest BIOS: WARNING: Dell Technologies recommends disconnecting any external devices like external hard disk drives, printers, scanners before updating the BIOS. WARNING: Dell laptops must have the battery installed and charged to at least 10% before you begin the BIOS update. Dell Technologies recommends connecting the laptop to AC power before proceeding with the update process. NOTE: To learn more about updating the BIOS on a Dell computer, see the Dell Knowledge Base article: Dell BIOS Updates How to Update the BIOS Duration: 00:02:15 (hh:mm:ss)When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the CC icon on this video player. Browse to the Dell Drivers & Downloads Product Support Drivers Page Ensure that your computer model type is correct Select the Operating System Under Category, select BIOS Locate the latest System BIOS Click Download and save the file to your computer Open File Explorer and browse to the location where the downloaded file is saved Double-click the BIOS setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process You can skip this message by pressing the F7 key or by disabling the USB-C Dock warning messages in the BIOS. However, a second message is showing in Dell SupportAssist. It can only be adjusted with the setting continue on Warnings and Errors, but the error is shown on the next boot (Figure 4:). Figure 4: Disabling the Thunderbolt boot message in the BIOS.

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