Thunderbolt 4 Only Will Not Recognize eGPU

[ACAdkison]

The Omen laptop has a discrete 4080 GPU. But, due to heating and other issues under load, I prefer to use an eGPU.

The laptop is currently hooked to an Anker 778 TB4 hub and works flawlessly. The TB Control Center "sees" it and lists it as ANKER 778 12-in-1 Docking Station TB4. Every port and every device connected to the Anker hub works. At present, I am using it to send the video to my monitors via HDMI (1) and DisplayPort (1). 

However, I purchased a Sonnet Breakaway Box 850 T5 and after a week of troubleshooting with Sonnet, I returned it. The HP refuses to recognize it and Sonnet has no workaround for HP's configuration issues. The Thunderbolt Control Center doesn't even recognize a TB4 device attached. If I plug the Anker back in, it's picked up instantly.

I purchased a Peladin TB 4 eGPU setup and connected it to the laptop. THE EXACT SAME REACTION. The fans on the GPU spin up, but there is no activity on the laptop, it does not show up in Device Manager, and the Omen Gaming Hub Overlay will not allow switching, because it says there is no device. I've tried this with the discrete GPU enabled and disabled. The results are the same. The Thunderbolt Control Center doesn't "see" it either.

Note: both eGPU enclosures have additional ports (Ethernet, USB, etc.) None of them communicate with the laptop. It is as if the laptop recognizes the attached device, then immediately shuts down or blocks any signals to/from the device.

All BIOS and drivers are updated. The Windows Build is 26200. Nothing in the BIOS or Omen Gaming Hub allows access to anything Thunderbolt related.

Please advise.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @ACAdkison,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP OMEN laptop detects and works perfectly with a Thunderbolt 4 dock, but will not recognize any Thunderbolt eGPU enclosure at all, even though the enclosures power on. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Confirm HP’s Thunderbolt eGPU support limitation
Many HP OMEN laptops do not support external GPUs, even with Thunderbolt 4 hardware.
HP restricts PCIe tunneling for eGPU use at the firmware level, while allowing docks and displays.

Understand why docks work but eGPUs do not
Thunderbolt docks mainly use USB, DisplayPort, and networking tunneling.
eGPUs require PCIe tunneling, which can be disabled independently by the system firmware.

Check Thunderbolt security level behavior
Open Thunderbolt Control Center when a dock is connected and note the security level.
On many HP systems, PCIe authorization for eGPU devices is blocked even though the port is TB4-certified.

Verify BIOS options are truly unavailable
Enter BIOS using Esc > F10 and check all menus.
On HP consumer and gaming systems, Thunderbolt PCIe / External GPU options are intentionally hidden and cannot be enabled.

Test with discrete GPU enabled (expected behavior)
HP OMEN systems with high-end discrete GPUs (like RTX 4080) often disable eGPU enumeration entirely.
Disabling the internal GPU in Windows does not change this because the block is in firmware.

Confirm Windows and drivers are not the cause
Since the Thunderbolt Control Center does not see the eGPU at all, this rules out Windows, NVIDIA, and driver issues.
Device Manager will not show anything if PCIe tunneling is blocked upstream.

Note the identical behavior across two eGPU enclosures
The fact that two different eGPU brands behave the same confirms this is not a Sonnet or Peladin issue.
This strongly points to HP platform restrictions rather than faulty hardware.

Understand Omen Gaming Hub limitations
Omen Gaming Hub can only switch GPUs if the system firmware exposes an external GPU device.
Since the firmware blocks enumeration, the app correctly reports “no device.”

Why Thunderbolt 4 certification is misleading here
Thunderbolt 4 certification does not guarantee eGPU support.
OEMs are allowed to restrict PCIe tunneling while still meeting TB4 dock and display requirements.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[ACAdkison]

"I understand your HP OMEN laptop detects and works perfectly with a Thunderbolt 4 dock, but will not recognize any Thunderbolt eGPU enclosure at all, even though the enclosures power on. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Confirm HP’s Thunderbolt eGPU support limitation.
Many HP OMEN laptops do not support external GPUs, even with Thunderbolt 4 hardware.
HP restricts PCIe tunneling for eGPU use at the firmware level, while allowing docks and displays."

Not sure how any of this helps solve the problem. It sounds like an AI response OR an HP employee trying to defend their moronic implementation of Thunderbolt 4.

"Understand why docks work but eGPUs do not Thunderbolt docks mainly use USB, DisplayPort, and networking tunneling. eGPUs require PCIe tunneling, which can be disabled independently by the system firmware.

It appears HP did in fact disable PCIe tunneling."

While this is their right to do, it would make sense if they PUBLISHED THIS INFORMATION BEFORE WE GAVE THEM $2500.

It wasn't all that long ago that HP sold the OMEN by HP GA1-1000 Accelerator. So they know full well what people use Thunderbolt for and why we would, wrongly, assume they still support the technology.

"Check Thunderbolt security level behavior
Open Thunderbolt Control Center when a dock is connected and note the security level.
On many HP systems, PCIe authorization for eGPU devices is blocked even though the port is TB4-certified."

Why do I care about any of that? I spent over two weeks troubleshooting what turned out to be something done by HP on purpose, and purchased two separate eGPUs thinking the first one was defective. Only when I installed the 2nd one did I realize it was intentional on HP's part, not faulty hardware from two completely different vendors.

"Verify BIOS options are truly unavailable"

It's in my original post.

"Enter BIOS using Esc > F10 and check all menus."
It's in my original post.

"On HP consumer and gaming systems, Thunderbolt PCIe / External GPU options are intentionally hidden and cannot be enabled."
Yes, I said that.

"Test with discrete GPU enabled (expected behavior)
HP OMEN systems with high-end discrete GPUs (like RTX 4080) often disable eGPU enumeration entirely.
Disabling the internal GPU in Windows does not change this because the block is in firmware."

I've tested the system with TWO DIFFERENT eGPUs with every possible permutation of CPUs on, off, disabled, uninstalled, etc.

"Confirm Windows and drivers are not the cause
Since the Thunderbolt Control Center does not see the eGPU at all, this rules out Windows, NVIDIA, and driver issues.
Device Manager will not show anything if PCIe tunneling is blocked upstream."

Thanks for the lesson I didn't ask for.

"Note the identical behavior across two eGPU enclosures
The fact that two different eGPU brands behave the same confirms this is not a Sonnet or Peladin issue.
This strongly points to HP platform restrictions rather than faulty hardware."

I think I said this.

"Understand Omen Gaming Hub limitations
Omen Gaming Hub can only switch GPUs if the system firmware exposes an external GPU device.
Since the firmware blocks enumeration, the app correctly reports 'no device.'"

It's nice to understand HOW HP prevented me from using one the main features of my laptop. (TB4 and an eGPU would, normally, allow a user to get some additional life from a laptop once the dedicated and discrete GPUs become outdated. Yes, there is a performance hit, but for many users that's a better alternative than a new PC.

"Why Thunderbolt 4 certification is misleading here
Thunderbolt 4 certification does not guarantee eGPU support.
OEMs are allowed to restrict PCIe tunneling while still meeting TB4 dock and display requirements."

Again, thanks for the HP propaganda I didn't ask for. As I mentioned, HP used to sell eGPUs. They know exactly what people are trying to do and used to market to that audience. It is one thing to pull out of that market, but another thing entirely for them to sabotage the very technology they once embraced.
Worse, as already stated, there is NOWHERE on any HP site where HP makes it clear that eGPUs are locked out of Omen-class laptops. Ironically, the highest end gaming laptop HP sells is crippled before you ever open the packaging.

"I hope this helps."
It doesn't, it only confirms what I already figured out. Why you are defending HP's secret is unfathomable.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @ACAdkison,

Thank you for taking the time to respond so candidly. I want to start by acknowledging your frustration. Given the time, cost, and effort you invested, your reaction is completely understandable. You didn’t miss anything in your testing, and you weren’t troubleshooting incorrectly.

You are correct on the technical conclusion

You already reached the right diagnosis on your own:

Thunderbolt 4 is functioning correctly

The port supports docks, displays, and USB

 PCIe tunneling required for eGPU enumeration is firmware-blocked

This block is intentional and platform-level

 It cannot be overridden by BIOS, Windows, drivers, or software

Two different eGPU enclosures failing identically confirms this beyond doubt

There is no fix available to enable eGPU support on this OMEN platform.

I want to be very clear:
There is no hidden setting, workaround, firmware update, or supported method that will make an eGPU work on this model.

This was not meant to “defend” HP

The earlier reply was intended to explain why the behavior occurs, not to justify it. However, I hear you clearly: you did not need an explanation, you needed transparency before purchase, and HP did not provide it.

You are also absolutely right that:

HP previously sold the OMEN GA1 eGPU Accelerator

HP knows exactly what customers associate Thunderbolt with

Thunderbolt 4 branding strongly implies capabilities that are silently restricted

That criticism is valid.

We understand how important it is to have your device functioning properly, and we're here to assist you.​

To ensure your device receives the appropriate care, we recommend visiting an authorized HP service center. Our certified technicians can provide a thorough diagnosis and offer the best solutions to address the issue.​

You can locate the nearest HP service center using our Service Center Locator:​

🔗 HP Service Center Locator

If you need further assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.​

Best Regards,