Connect HP USB-C DOCK G4 to my Dell OPTIPLEX 3060 using USB-A

[Fgvghgff]

Hello,

Just Purchased HP USB-C DOCK G4 to connect my 3rd screen to my Dell OPTIPLEX 3060 which has only 1 X DP and 1 X HDMI. My PC does not have a USB-C port, so I tried connecting the dock using USB-C - USB -A cable. unfortunately it is not working. To eliminated the chances of a faulty dock, I tried to connect the dock to my laptop (Which has USB-C port) using the USB-C - USB-C wire, worked perfectly fine.

Is the issue from the cable that I am using to connect to my PC, or the dock itself doesn't support USB-C to USB A connectivity?

Thanks in advance for your support!

[Irfan_06 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Fgvghgff,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

I understand you're experiencing an issue with connecting your dell monitor using the HP USB dock.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, I'm here to help you today.

The issue is not with the cable or the dock but rather with the incompatibility of the USB-A port for the intended functionality of the HP USB-C Dock G4.

Why the Dock Doesn't Work via USB-A:

Dock Functionality Requires USB-C with Power Delivery (PD) or Alt Mode:

• The HP USB-C Dock G4 is designed to use USB-C ports that support DisplayPort Alt Mode for video output and Power Delivery for powering the dock and connected devices.
• A USB-A port does not support these features as it lacks the required hardware for DisplayPort Alt Mode and sufficient power delivery.

USB-A Limitations:

• USB-A ports are primarily for data transfer and do not have the bandwidth or video output capabilities required to drive displays through the dock.

Why the Dock Works with Your Laptop:

Your laptop's USB-C port likely supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery, which is why the dock functions as expected when connected to it.

Solution Options:

To use the dock with your Dell OptiPlex 3060:

Install a USB-C PCIe Expansion Card (Recommended):

• Add a PCIe card to your Dell OptiPlex that includes a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery.
• Ensure the card supports video output if you plan to use the dock for connecting a display.

Use a Dock Compatible with USB-A Ports:

• If modifying your PC isn't an option, look for a docking station designed explicitly to work with USB-A ports. These docks typically use DisplayLink technology to support external displays but may have limited performance compared to USB-C docks.

Connect the 3rd Screen Directly:

• If adding a third screen is your primary goal, consider connecting it directly to your PC via a USB-to-HDMI or USB-to-DisplayPort adapter compatible with your USB-A ports.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

Irwin6

HP Support