My Horrible Dell Performance Dock WD19DC Extravaganza

Precision 5530 with WD19DC.

Honestly, I would have not even thought if something could mess things up like this! I used to use a cheap USB-C to dual DP dongle for two monitors (1080p) and the HDMI port for the third monitor (WACOM One). No issues. Now when I use WD19DC, I get the image on Wacom and one of the DP monitors, but the other DP is limited to 640x480. The interesting part is that the useless brick also messes up my normal HDMI port. Meaning, if I remove my HDMI cable off the WD19DC and push it into the laptop's HDMI, still I get two 1080p monitors and one 640x480!!! So this is not about the USB-C bandwidth. This is genuinely messing up with my system. I have updated all drivers (intel and NVidia, plus the brick's firmware) and yet, nothing! Can anyone tell me why I spent $200 just to get an ethernet port and lose one of my monitors instead?

@MMH  The fact that the 640x480 persists even when you move the third display to your system's built-in HDMI port is indeed strange.  The Intel GPU controls all outputs on that system, so you shouldn't have to worry about the NVIDIA GPU drivers for this, but if you haven't already, try completely uninstalling the Intel Graphics drivers before reinstalling them.  I've seen that fix issues similar but not identical to this.

And out of curiosity, does this happen if you start with the HDMI-based Wacom display connected to the built-in HDMI output in the first place, rather than starting with it on the dock and then moving it?  You do in fact have a bandwidth issue in that you can't run triple 1080p from that system through that dock.  The Precision 5530 is a DisplayPort 1.2/HBR2 system, and the WD19DC is not a Thunderbolt dock.  It's a USB-C dock.  So you'll have enough bandwidth for dual displays up to 1920x1200 (assuming the standard 60 Hz), but definitely not triple 1080p.  I realize that doesn't explain why the Wacom display stays broken after you move it off the dock, but there's no point having it there in the first place -- unless maybe you also use that dock with another system too?

But if the Precision 5530 is the only system you're using with the WD19DC, then you would have been better off with either the WD19 or WD19TB.  The WD19DC only works in dual connector mode with Precision 7000 Series systems as of this writing.  Even if you had another system with dual USB-C connectors like a Precision 5550, it would operate in single connector mode.  And in that mode, it operates just like the regular and less expensive WD19 USB-C dock, NOT the WD19TB Thunderbolt 3 dock, which with your system would allow triple displays up to 1440p each.  So you could have either saved money and achieved the same functionality by going with the WD19, or gotten better functionality with the WD19TB.

@jphughan Thanks for the advice! I did uninstall the drivers and reinstalled them. After installing Intel graphics driver and restart I could get three extended external monitors using the DPs on my WD19DC and the HDMI on the laptop itselt. The HDMI on WD19DC is still 640x480 which I believe is due to my machine's USB-C bandwidth as you suggested.

I did not have a choice in selecting WD19DC since my workplace wouldn't pay for it and I didn't want to spend too much on that either (what can I say, I am cheap!) so I found a second hand DC for 200 Australian dollars ($140ish). There is not much information around but everywhere I looked they said you can just ignore the second USB-C and it will work like a WD19. Anyhow, happy for the moment, although I have to push USB-C AND HDMI cables in when docking. Hopefully in next laptop sweep in the company I can get a better one with thunderbolt. 

Thank you very much for the help.

@MMH  Happy to help. I’m surprised cost was an issue though. My recollection is that the WD19DC(S) and WD19TB(S) are similarly priced, in fact I seem to remember the latter being LESS expensive, so that would seem to have been a win-win. But if you bought used then I guess it depends on what was available. Anyhow, yes you can use the DC in single connector mode, but then it does work like a regular WD19, and in that mode with that system you’ll be limited to dual 1920x1200 displays, so the setup you’ve got now is the best available option. Enjoy!

The weird thing about the problems I've had with my dock on the 7730 is that the problems never carry over to the computer itself. I seriously think it's a dock software problem. 

Thanks Buddy!

@Mastergeko4 Stating the obvious, if you want to use the warranty you sould contact Dell's support first and establish the defect with your device first. If your brick is defective, then they should give you a replacement. If it is not defective and just doesn't work with your laptop, then it must be confirmed that your laptop is also OK and the model is listed in the compatiblity list. I would then ask for a refund or a device that actually works for you.

Sorry, I am not an expert in docking bricks and can't help more but that is the normal procedure for claiming warranty on anything, including wheelbarrows (those ones I know better )   

@MMH​ the replacements don't work either.