15 R2, can’t output video via Thunderbolt 3

Question

Hi. I’m having an issue that the Alienware 15 R2 (late 2015) laptop cannot output the display to external monitor thru USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort cable connection. I’ve installed the lasted driver from Nvidia but still don’t see anything on the monitor, it says there is no signal. Besides, I connected with the same monitor and cable to my dell XPS 13, and it works flawlessly. Hence, there must be something wrong with the Alienware 15. Does anyone have any idea?

thanks,

jphughan · Answer

@TamFaker  I would also recommend updating your Intel Graphics driver.  On the Alienware systems I've read about here, the USB-C/TB3 video output has been wired to the Intel GPU, with the NVIDIA GPU only active when needed as a render-only device, using a technology called NVIDIA Optimus.  As a result, the Intel driver might come into play here.

A51-06 · Answer

Hi There @TamFaker,

Sorry your Question hasn’t Been answered.

Have you tried Updating the Drivers I will be Providing to you Shortly?

Here they are:

TI ThunderBolt Power Delivery Firmware Update Utility:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=3vv5w&oscode=wt64a&productcode=alienware-15-r2

Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=tbt79&oscode=wt64a&productcode=alienware-15-r2

Alienware 15 R2 and 17 R2 System BIOS:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=577c6&oscode=wt64a&productcode=alienware-15-r2

Let me Know if this Works.

A51-06 · Answer

Sadly, Nvidia Optimus is Permanently stuck on this particular laptop because the cooling system isn’t great enough to have the GPU as the Primary Display controller.

Also because the way the Motherboard is designed, It only allows the CPU integrated graphics to be used as the Primary display controller.

I have the old Alienware 15 R1 with the 4710HQ and the 980M.

Alienware

15 R2, can’t output video via Thunderbolt 3

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