Problems with Spectre 13 laptop connected to Elite TB3 Dock and HP USB-C hub

[dwpman]

I have had several crashes and Blue screens, and recently had to do a system reset on my HP Spectre 13. I have contacted HP support on my Support account and although they have been helpful, all they could suggest was to reset my laptop...it cost me a day to get everything back working and re-install all my programs!

But I think I have found the problem...I have a HP Elite Thunderbolt 3 Dock and an HP USB-C Multiport hub...the problems with my Spectre started after I connected the USB-C hub to the TB3 Dock...I did it to give myself more expansion options....BUT...the 2 do NOT play well together! Once I had worked this out, I disconnected the USB-C hub and just connected all external devices to the TB3 Dock and everything works fine. Perhaps HP should investigate this issue and warn customers against using both the TB3 Dock and the USB-C hub together.

Anyone else had similar issues?

[banhien]

@dwpman 

Are they COMPATIBLE hardware and software (firmware) wise ? Did you check compatible before buying them ?

Regards.

[dwpman]

I did not check compatibility before I purchased the USB-C hub...to be honest, I wouldn't know how to check whether two items of hardware are compatible. I just assumed that if both are from HP, they would work together. Or, at the very least, I would expect a note of warning from HP that they might NOT be  compatible.

[banhien]

@dwpman 

Each product, vendors should list a compatibility list or table. For example the  HP Thunderbolt 3 dock has a list

     Compatible with HP ProBook x360 11 G1 EE; HP Elite X2 1012 G2; HP EliteBook x360; HP Elite x2 1012 G1 Tablet; HP EliteBook Folio G1

Source:   https://store.hp.com/in-en/default/hp-elite-90w-thunderbolt-3-dock-1dt93aa.html

Spectre machines are NOT on the list.

Regards.

[dwpman]

Thanks. I understand the compatibility list, and you are right, the Spectre laptops are not on that list. However, my Spectre 13 x360 has been connected to a HP Elite Thunderbolt 3 Docking station for the last 3 years without a hitch. It is only since I bought the HP USB-C hub  two months ago, that my problems began. 

I experimented last night. I disconnected everything from the TB3 Dock and set up the Spectre with the USB-C hub only, which is compatible with Spectre laptops according to HP. The Spectre started ok, but when I clicked to open File Explorer it would not open. That was one of the initial problems I had earlier and I see it as a signal that other issues are there in the background. At that stage, I did not proceed further because I did not want to experience further crashes and problems. I disconnected the USB-C hub and reconnected everything to the Elite TB3 Dock and everything works fine.

I can't explain why the TB3 Dock works when it is supposed to be incompatible and the USB-C hub doesn't when it is supposed to be compatible....but that is the situation I find myself in.

regards

David