HP Thunderbolt 3 Dock woes and how to make it work on my Spectre X360 (15-CH011DX)

[AODfan]

First, I want to say I do not guarantee this will work with your laptop, but just saying this is what I did and discovered on getting it to work well on my laptop....with that said.

I have had an HP Spectre X360 laptop for over a year and got tired of plugging everything into the sides of it and wanted a docking station with one plugin the side and charges as well.

HP will tell you cannot be done, that the 15-CH011DX cannot charge via Thunderbolt, but that is a lie! It can and I am doing it right now.

Looking at the prices of what was out there, they are pretty expensive. I wanted a cheaper solution. Enter the HP Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station...

This thing has a history of being horrible and notorious for failing. I saw them on eBay for $20 apiece and figured what the heck, I will try to figure it, as I had read from other posts that it can work on a Spectre X360.

The first order of business, get the docking station, it doesn't matter what version the dock is, it's the same with whatever charger size charger you get. Part# HSTNN-CX01

Next, get a 150W (775626-003) or 200W (835888-001) charger, just do it, the 90W doesn't work I spent hours on trying, just get the 150W at least and save yourself a headache (I got the 150w).

Next, get a 100W capable Thunderbolt cable. I bought the NekTeck one here, but any would probably do.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HDZ69N

Next, get a Display port to HDMI (There is no HDMI out on the dock!). Cheapest I found was here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4K-Display-Port-DP-to-HDMI-Cable-60Hz-2160P-25-92Gbps-HDR-Audio-Video-Adapt...

Hook everything up, then plug it in, Windows will start to install all the drivers (mostly) and your screen will flicker and such. Once done you will now have a Thunderbolt icon in the system tray. Right click on it and select About.

Verify that the versions are the same here.

Next, right click on the Thunderbolt icon again, this time select Approve Attached Devices, then Port1. You will get a pop-up, make sure the "HP Inc., HP Thunderbolt 3Dock" is set to 'Always Connect'

Any remaining drivers or functionality should start.

Now, update the firmware to the latest (sp96414), make sure to install the ASMedia driver (sp79018), reboot.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-zbook-dock-with-thunderbolt-3/11122586/model/982...

SIDE NOTE: The button on the front WILL NOT work or light up, it is only for the supported devices that communicates to the BIOS.

Sometimes, I get an issue with the keyboard or mouse (or any USB device) freak out while on the HUB. I have found the below to help remedy it, it is kind of a pain, but when you are only using one cord for everything and saving bank on top of it, it's not a bad trade off:

1. Shutdown the PC.

2. Unplug the docking station.

3. Wait a couple minutes

4. Boot up the laptop still with the docking station unplugged.

5. After boot up (give it about 30-45 secs), plug the docking stations back in.

6. Tada!

For some reason, the dock can freak out and get an odd interferance, mouse/keyboard flicker, and a wireless headset sounds like a robot.

Note:

When you install the ASMedia driver, it is odd, the power outlet it appears to like better is the far right one, even though the AC adapter is supposed to go in the one to the left. There appears to change where the voltage that comes out, but with the Thunderbolt cable still sends back to the laptop and charges it properly.

Saying so, with the ASMedia driver installed I get no more than 12.5-7ish V in the correct location, but in the left I get anywhere from 13.08-13.21 V, handling everything I have connected to the dock while charging.

Without the ASMedia driver, the opposite is true (so it seems).

With all this said, I am sitting here with my 15" Spectre X360 docked with the HP Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station, with a 32" Sharp 1080P monitor, gaming mouse & keyboard (RGB), ethernet, Razor Kraken TE, and a separate USB 2.0 HUB with two thumb drives and USB fan connecter to the cooling pad, and playing games with the MX150 kicking into high gear.

Hopefully, this helps out others looking for a cheap and decent docking station solution for their Spectre X360.

[praveen196]

@AODfan Welcome to HP Community!

I understand that you are looking for the docking station for HP Spectre.

Do not worry. I will try to fix the issue.

                PFB the Docking station/ port replicator compatible chart for Spectre notebook (USB –C type connector)

You could purchase the part from HP, use the HP Parts surfer to identify the part: http://partsurfer.hp.com/search.aspx

And order it via the HP Parts store: https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/CountryChoice.aspx?mscssid=&ccode=ZZ&lcode=ZZ 

Or alternatively, Contact HP for setting up an order/service via phone support   

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[zeeeva]

Good Evening Praveen196,

I bought an HP Spectre x360 15t (5KC45AV) and an HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G2 (2UK37UT#ABA) and have a very difficult time getting the laptop to connect to the dock and dual monitors. I have two other computers that are roughly 2 years old that connect right up with no issues. Can you advise on what might be the problem, when it works it's great but the frustration when it doesn't is making me regret my purchase.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. 

[praveen196]

@zeeeva

I understand your concerns.

In that case, please perform the thunderbolt test and check.

1. Power off the PC and make sure that it is completely powered off.

2. Press the power button and the moment you press the power button immediately start tapping F2 key, you should see the system diagnostics screen.

3. Look for the component test, under that all the hardware will be listed, please choose Thunderbolt and initiate the quick test.

Note: If it fails it will generate a 24 digits alphanumeric failure id, please capture that.

Have a nice day!!