USB-device problems on left USB-C port/controller (XPS13 9300)

For cable networking, I've been trying using a gigabit ethernet USB-A Network adapter, together with the USB-C -> USB-A adapter provided by Dell. I'll call this combo the "NIC" below.

PROBLEM
I have been experiencing massive problems with the NIC in the left USB-C port.
Sometime it works for a short while, but with bad speed, packet drops, high cpu usage. Device disconnecting every 3-5 mins - disappearing from Device Manager.

TROUBLESHOOTING
First thought I had a bad ethernet adapter, so I tried several different brands that all work flawless on other computers. The problem remained. Device Manager reports "USB device not recognized" and sometimes "Unknown USB device (device descriptor request failed). I tried alot of things including changing drivers for ethernet adapter and usb-controllers, changing device configuration of them, removing energy saving options, changing wol-settings, wake on magic package, wake on link change, selective suspend etc.
Finally I simply removed the NIC from the left USB-C port (Device Manager reported "USB Malfunction (Port Reset Failed)) and moved it to the right USB-C port, and now it has have worked flawless for days, both ethernet adapters tried. Great speed. No problems at all.

Tried moving it back to left port, and all problems occured immediately again.

So what's wrong with the left USB-C port? Anyone experienced any similar? or problems with external harddrives or other equip?

(XPS13, 9300, Bios 1.0.11)

Responses(3)

F

fkubrick

20 Posts

0

July 1st, 2020 04:00

I would expect it to be the same issue as described here:

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-13-9300-BIOS-1-0-10-USB-Type-C-to-DP-adapters-no-longer-work/td-p/7575174/highlight/false

As it seems to be stemming from an upgrade of the PowerDistribution firmware that happened post 1.0.7. Some people in this thread report that it doesn't affect left/right ports equally.

Dell support says an update is planned but no ETA. I encourage you to contact Dell support.

T

TommyW_SE

17 Posts

0

July 7th, 2020 23:00

Thank you, I will get i touch with the support. Would like to add to this thread that I also discovered that USB-memory sticks and external hard drives suffer the same problem, but for the opposite port. Getting alot of random problems when using them in the right USB-port, but works flawless in the left. So summary: Left USB port: Network USB-adapter malfunction. Right USB-port: USB-memorys and Ext.harddrives malfunction.

P

pointo1d

3 Posts

0

December 2nd, 2020 16:00

Yep - but not networking in my case (using wifi), but had an external monitor and a USB KB & mouse via both Thunderbolt & bespoke USB C hubs - frequent freezing when connected to the LH port which all but disappeared when connected on the other side (RH port) - /var/log/syslog had blocks of entries of the following form for each "freeze" ....

Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132226]: thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event25".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132230]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "snd-usb-audio".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132234]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "uvcvideo".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132238]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132242]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "uvcvideo".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132246]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132250]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
Dec 3 00:03:40 davep-XPS-13-9300 /usr/lib/gdm3/gdm-x-session[1132254]: thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".

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