USB-C Multiport Adapter for Laptops - 4K HDMI or VGA - GbE - USB 3.0

No, you cannot use this docking station to charge a connected laptop computer.

To see a list of laptop docking stations that can charge a connected laptop, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/laptop-docking-stations-will-charge-laptop.

USB-C is a type of USB connector that is capable of supporting the following:

• Data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, if you use USB 3.1.
• Bi-directional power delivery up to 100W, if both the USB host connection and the device support it.
• Alternate modes, which deliver different types of data at different speeds. For example, DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode).

If using Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C, the connection is capable of additional features. For example, Thunderbolt 3 is capable of 40Gbps of total bandwidth. For more information, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/thunderbolt-3-port-capabilities.

Not all USB-C ports or devices are capable of supporting all of the features listed above, or all of the features at the maximum capabilities. If you require a specific USB-C feature, your USB host connection, cables, and device must all support the feature that you require. For more information about whether your components support specific USB-C features, refer to the information provided by the manufacturers. 

This USB-C device requires that all of the following components support alternate modes:

• The USB-C host connection (for example, a computer and its port)
• The USB-C cable
• The USB-C device (for example, a hard drive docking station)

If your host device includes a Thunderbolt™ 3 connection, this USB-C device will work with your host device.

For more information about the modes that your setup components support, refer to the information provided by the manufacturers.

This USB-C device requires that all of the following components support DisplayPort Alternate Mode:

• The USB-C host connection (for example, a computer and its port).
• The USB-C cable.
• The USB-C device (for example, a hard drive docking station).

To check how much power this device requires, visit the product page, and look on the Technical Specifications tab.

For more information about the modes that your setup components support, refer to the information provided by the manufacturers.

Starting in High Sierra 10.13, macOS enforces stricter security policies than previous revisions. As a result of these changes, software packages, like those used in this installation, will need to be allowed within the macOS Security and Privacy settings, immediately after the software has been installed, in order for the device to operate.

To allow the software, follow these steps after you've completed installation on your Mac:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Open Security & Privacy.
3. Click the Allow button near the bottom of the General tab.

Note: The option to allow the software will be available within the Security & Privacy settings for 30 minutes. If the software is not allowed within that time frame, the software must be reinstalled in order for macOS to grant the opportunity to allow it again.

To confirm that Windows detects your USB device, complete the following:

1. Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it.  For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

To confirm that the Mac OS detects your USB device, complete the following:

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Click About This Mac.
3. Click More Info or System Report.
4. Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your USB device is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards.

You may need to refresh the System Information page after you plug in your device.  To do so, press Command + R with the System Information page open.

Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

If the display connected through your USB display adapter does not wake up after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power. 

The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening.

Windows 8 / 10

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
6. Click OK to apply the setting.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Windows 7 / Vista

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
6. Click OK to apply the setting.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Windows XP

1. On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties.
2. Click the Device Manager tab.
3. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it.
4. Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties.
5. Click the Power Management tab.
6. Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
7. Click OK to apply the setting.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with “Root Hub” in the name.

Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB display adapter after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Sometimes an on-board network interface card (NIC) conflicts with a new NIC.  In these cases it is best to disable the on-board NIC.

The best way to disable your on-board NIC is to go into your BIOS and disable it there if possible.  To do this, consult your motherboard manual.

You can also disable any NIC in Windows.  Here is how you do this:

First click Start, or, in Windows 10 and 8, hold down the Windows key and press X.  Then click Control Panel.

Windows 10

1. Click Network and Internet.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows 8

1. Click Network and Sharing Center.
2. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows 7

1. Click Network and Internet.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows Vista

1. Click Network and Sharing Center.
2. On the left, click Manage network connections.
3. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows XP

1. Click Network Connections.
2. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

When you troubleshoot issues with a laptop docking station, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• Video cables

• Video source

• Video destination

• Laptop Docking Station

• USB peripherals

• Ethernet Connection

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the video cables, video source, video destination, laptop docking station, USB peripherals, and Ethernet connection in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a different video cable, video source, video destination, laptop docking station, USB peripherals, and Ethernet connection setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.

• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the video cables, video source, video destination, and laptop docking station it is recommended that you do the following:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager.

2. If you do not see the USB video adapter in Device Manager, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#usb-cannot-detect-windows.

3. If the device is listed with an error, reinstall the drivers following the instructions on the website.

4. Check to see if your video card drivers are current. You can check what video card you have in Device Manager under Display adapters. It is recommended that you go directly to the video card manufacturer's website to check for the latest drivers.

5. Check to see if the monitor is being detected by Windows.

For more information about testing the USB peripherals and the laptop docking station, visit www.startech.com/faq/usb_hubs_general_troubleshooting.

When you test Ethernet and the laptop docking station, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/network_adapters_general_troubleshooting.

When you test sound and the laptop docking station, refer to the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/sound_cards_general_troubleshooting.