Does 2017 HP Spectre X360 USB-C port work with HP Thunderbolt docking station?

[smithsum]

Hello,

I have an HP Spectre X360 15-ap012dx (Energy Star) I got back in 2017 running on Windows 10 64-bit version. It has an i7 processor, integrated graphics, and 16 GB in RAM. There is a USB-C  port on the laptop that I have been trying for a year to use with my HP Thunderbolt 120W G2 Docking Station. The computer does not recognize any device connected to it through the USB-C port and the port appears to be dead ever since I first tried to use it as far back as 2-3 years ago. 

I've tried to awaken the USB-C port with the 30 second reset technique (Shutdown, unplug, hold Start button of computer for 30 seconds, plug in laptop, press Start button) but that's not worked. I updated today to BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. F.22, 12/21/2019 and also uninstalled/reinstalled the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0). I'm not showing a USB Root Hub for USB-C. Should I?

I'd like some understanding as to what the possible issue is. I read somewhere that HP shipped the earlier Spectres with broken USB-C ports - is that true and will HP fix this issue? 

In summary:

1. Does anyone know if this USB-C port is faulty or ever worked on the earlier Spectres?

2. Can the HP Thunderbolt Dock work with any USB-C, e.g. does it matter if the USB-C port is PD or alt-mode?

3. Assuming USB-C is dead/unusable, how do I get this model of Spectre to work with the HP Thunderbolt docking station? The laptop has three power-enabled USB 3.x ports, mini displayport, HDMI, SD card reader, and of course the AC plug.

Thanks in advance!

[banhien]

@smithsum 

Its specs

         https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c04956734

It has 4 USB 3.0 (1 Type-C) . This Type-C port is just 1 USB 3.0 port with different shape. It is NOT a true USB-C port therefore it can't be a Thunderbolt™  port. Nothing can make it work on a Thunderbolt™  dock.

Regards.