Summary

In rare cases, some laptops may lose both external display output and charging after the Plugable UD-MSTH2 has been connected for a few minutes. USB devices connected through the dock, such as a keyboard or mouse, may continue working because the USB data connection can remain active.

This behavior may be related to USB-C Power Delivery negotiation between the laptop and the dock. Plugable has most often observed this behavior on some 65W-class laptops, particularly systems that also support charging through the manufacturer’s original barrel-style power adapter. However, this behavior is not limited to those systems, and this firmware update may still be helpful for other affected UD-MSTH2 setups.

This article explains how to update the UD-MSTH2 firmware using the Windows firmware update utility.

Applicable To

Answer

If your UD-MSTH2 is affected by this rare behavior, we recommend updating the dock to firmware version 08.A2.21.06 using the steps below.

The UD-MSTH2 is normally a driverless dock on supported Windows and ChromeOS systems. This firmware update is a one-time maintenance step for the dock itself and should only be performed with the UD-MSTH2 firmware package linked in this article.

Before You Begin

Please review the following before starting the firmware update:

• A Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer is required to run the firmware update utility.
• Please use the USB-C cable included with the UD-MSTH2.
• Please connect the UD-MSTH2 power adapter to the dock before starting the update.
• Disconnect all devices from the dock except the power adapter and the USB-C connection to the Windows computer.
• This includes disconnecting HDMI displays, USB devices, Ethernet, audio devices, and storage devices.
• Administrative permission in Windows is required to run the update utility.

Firmware Update Steps

1. Connect the UD-MSTH2 power adapter to the dock.
2. Connect the UD-MSTH2 directly to the Windows computer using the included USB-C cable.
3. Disconnect all other devices from the dock. Only the dock power adapter and the USB-C connection to the computer should remain connected.
4. Download the UD-MSTH2 firmware package: UD-MSTH2 Firmware 08.A2.21.06
5. After the download completes, right-click the zipped folder and select Extract All. We recommend extracting the folder to the Windows Desktop.
6. Open the extracted folder and browse to the cli folder using this folder path:
   UD-MSTH2Firmware08.A2.21.06 > 08.A2.21.06 > U0M661N3_FW_PKG_v08.A2.21.06.utility > cli
7. Inside the cli folder, right-click OneClickUpdate.bat and select Run as administrator.
8. If Windows asks for permission to allow the app to make changes, select Yes.
9. The firmware update will run in a Command Prompt window. Allow the process to finish completely.
10. When the update is complete, power cycle the dock by disconnecting the dock power adapter for about 30 seconds, then reconnecting it.
11. After the dock powers back on, return to the same cli folder.
12. Right-click OneClickCheck.bat and select Run as administrator to confirm the firmware version.

Confirm the Firmware Update

When the firmware is installed correctly, the check output should show updated firmware versions similar to the example below.

Example firmware check output after the update. The highlighted values show the expected updated firmware versions.

After the Firmware Update

1. Reconnect your HDMI display or displays to the UD-MSTH2.
2. Reconnect any USB, Ethernet, audio, or other devices you normally use with the dock.
3. Test the dock again in your normal setup.

In most affected cases, the firmware update resolves the behavior where external display output and laptop charging stop after the dock has been connected for several minutes.

Important Notes

• This firmware package is only for the Plugable UD-MSTH2 docking station.
• Do not use this firmware package with any other Plugable product.
• The firmware update process requires Windows. If you only have access to ChromeOS or macOS, please contact Plugable Support for assistance.
• The UD-MSTH2 requires a compatible USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt host connection that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode for video output.
• For charging through the dock, the host computer must also support USB-C Power Delivery.

Troubleshooting

The firmware update does not start

• Confirm the zipped firmware folder was fully extracted before running the update.
• Confirm you are running OneClickUpdate.bat from inside the extracted cli folder.
• Right-click OneClickUpdate.bat and select Run as administrator.
• Make sure the UD-MSTH2 is connected directly to the Windows computer using the included USB-C cable.

The laptop disconnects from the dock before the firmware update completes

In rare cases, some laptops may not maintain a stable connection to the UD-MSTH2 long enough for the firmware update to complete. If this happens:

1. Keep the UD-MSTH2 power adapter connected to the dock.
2. Connect the laptop to its original manufacturer power adapter.
   • For laptops with a barrel-style charger, connect the barrel charger directly to the laptop.
   • For laptops that charge by USB-C, connect the manufacturer’s USB-C charger directly to a charging-capable USB-C port on the laptop.
3. Keep the UD-MSTH2 connected directly to the Windows computer using the included USB-C cable.
4. Run OneClickUpdate.bat again as administrator.

The check utility does not detect the dock

• Confirm the UD-MSTH2 power adapter is connected to the dock.
• Disconnect and reconnect the USB-C cable between the dock and the computer.
• Connect the dock directly to the computer. Do not connect through another dock, hub, adapter, or USB switch while performing the update.
• Restart Windows and try running OneClickCheck.bat again.

The firmware versions do not match the expected values

• Power cycle the dock by disconnecting the dock power adapter for about 30 seconds, then reconnecting it.
• Run OneClickCheck.bat again from the cli folder.
• If the versions still do not match, run OneClickUpdate.bat again as administrator, allow it to complete, then power cycle the dock and recheck.
• If the versions still appear incorrect, take a screenshot of the entire Command Prompt window and contact Plugable Support (support@plugable.com).

The display or charging issue continues after the update

• Confirm that your laptop supports USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode and USB-C Power Delivery through the USB-C port you're using.
• Install the latest BIOS, firmware, USB-C, Thunderbolt or USB4, and graphics updates from the laptop manufacturer.
• Test with the original Plugable USB-C cable included with the dock.
• Test with only the dock power adapter, the USB-C connection to the laptop, and one HDMI display connected.
• If the issue persists, contact Plugable Support using the details below.

Need Assistance?

If the firmware update does not complete or the issue continues after the update, please contact Plugable Support (support@plugable.com) and include the following information:

• The Plugable product model: UD-MSTH2
• Your laptop make and model
• Your Windows version
• A screenshot of the OneClickCheck.bat results
• A description of what stops working, such as charging, one display, both displays, USB devices, or Ethernet
• How long the dock works before the issue occurs
• Whether the issue occurs with one display connected or only with two displays connected

We will be happy to help review the results and recommend the next best step.