Bonelk docking station compatibility

[simi11]

Has anyone managed to successfully use a Bonelk docking station with an HP laptop? I just purchased a new HP laptop and planned to run it with my brand new docking station, but the laptop doesn't recognise the monitors plugged into it (though it recognises all other connections). I have a Dell laptop and it has no issues identifying the monitors. HP support has told me I need to replace my brand new docking station with an HP one, which seems excessive and expensive. (The laptop recognises the monitors if they are plugged in directly.)

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@simi11, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

Bonelk docking stations can be finicky with some HP laptops, especially depending on the model, USB-C port capability, and DisplayLink driver support. Let's break down the possible reasons and how to troubleshoot:

Likely Causes

1. USB-C Port Limitations on HP Laptop
   • Not all HP USB-C ports support video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode). Some are data-only or charging-only.
   • You mentioned external monitors work when connected directly—was that via HDMI or USB-C to HDMI? That matters.
2. Missing DisplayLink Drivers
   • Many Bonelk docks (especially multi-monitor ones) use DisplayLink technology, which requires a separate driver to handle video output.
   • Dell systems often have this pre-installed; HP may not.
3. Power Delivery/Port Conflicts
   • Some HP laptops are particular about USB-C power+data over the same port, or may need BIOS updates to fully support docking stations.

Solutions to Try

1. Install DisplayLink Drivers
   Download the latest from DisplayLink.com. Install it, reboot, and test again.
2. Check HP Laptop Port Capabilities
   • Look up your exact model number (e.g., HP Pavilion 15-eh3000) and confirm whether your USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.
   • You can also check using tools like USB Device Tree Viewer.
3. Try Different USB-C Ports
   • Some HP laptops have one port for data and another for video+charging. Try all ports.
4. Update BIOS & Graphics Drivers
   • Go to HP Support Assistant or HP's driver page, and install all firmware updates, especially BIOS and GPU drivers (Intel/AMD).
5. Check Dock Power
   • Ensure the Bonelk dock is plugged into its own power adapter if it has one. Underpowered docks often fail to initialize displays.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[simi11]

Thanks so much for this as it was super helpful. Unfortunately, it seems my new laptop only has 1 USB C port, and it does not support Thunderbolt. So, I made a mistake purchasing this laptop as this was the main reason I wanted a new one! I thought I had covered all the bases before purchasing, but I was wrong. Sadly, I will have to make do with physically plugging a monitor in every time I need to use it, rather than enjoying multiple monitors as I had originally planned.