Applicable To

Plugable USB 3.1/3.2 Type-C, Thunderbolt, and USB4 docking stations.

Using an incorrect USB Type-C cable, such as a charging-only cable, can prevent your docking station from transmitting high-speed data or outputting video. Replacing an incompatible cable with a fully featured data cable or the original cable included with your Plugable dock typically resolves these functionality issues.

Instructions

Inspect your current cable to determine if it is a charging cable, which is generally thinner, lacks electronic markers, and is advertised for 480Mbps data rates rather than for laptops.

Identify a fully featured data cable or Thunderbolt cable by looking for thicker wiring and labels such as "USB 3.0/3.1", "USB4", "5Gbps", or a Thunderbolt logo.

Verify the length of your fully featured data cable is 1 meter (3.3 feet) or less, as they are typically limited to this length to comply with USB Type-C specifications.

Connect your docking station to the host system using the original USB Type-C or Thunderbolt cable that came in the box with your Plugable dock.

Replace your cable with a certified USB Type-C 10Gbps 1m cable or a Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 1m cable if you require a longer or replacement cable.

Expected Result

Your docking station will be fully enabled to support high-speed data transfer, Power Delivery for charging, and video output to external displays.

If the Issue Persists

If you are unsure what type of cable you have and if there are potential cable issues with your setup, please reach out to us directly via support@plugable.com with the output of our PlugDebug diagnostic utility and we will be happy to help.