Article Number: 000131784
How to Use and Troubleshoot Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S
Summary: Learn how to setup, use, and troubleshoot Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S. Find information about drivers, setting up multiple monitors and troubleshooting steps to resolve common issues. ...
Article Content
Symptoms
Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S link all your electronic devices to your laptop using a single USB Type-C (USB-C) cable. Connecting a supported laptop to the docking station, gives access to all your devices without having to plug each device to the laptop. (For example: The mouse, keyboard, stereo speakers, external hard drive, and large-screen monitors.)
NOTE: Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S are compatible with Dell laptops that has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C alternate mode or Thunderbolt 3. Learn how to identify if the USB-C port on your laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C.
Cause
No cause information is available.
Resolution
For help with specifications, setup, connecting an external monitor, troubleshooting common issues, and so on see an expanding section below.
| Laptop connectivity | USB-C (with DisplayPort over USB-C) |
|---|---|
| Video ports |
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| Audio ports (WD19 only) |
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| Network ports |
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| USB ports |
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| Power or DC-in |
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| Power Delivery to a laptop | Dell laptops
|
Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S are compatible with Dell laptops that has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C alternate mode or Thunderbolt 3. Before using the docking station, ensure that your laptop has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C.
Figure 1: Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S Front Ports
| 1. | USB-C 3.1 Gen1 |
|---|---|
| 2. | USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| 3. | Headphone and Microphone Combo (WD19 only) |
Figure 2: Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S Rear Ports
| 1. | Audio line-out (WD19 only) |
|---|---|
| 2. | DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 3. | DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 4. | HDMI 2.0 |
| 5. | USB-C 3.1 Gen1 with DP 1.4 |
| 6. | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| 7. | Gigabit Ethernet |
| 8. | AC power |
NOTE: The Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S does not function on a device with any USB-C port. Verify that your laptop supports DisplayPort over USB-C protocol.
NOTE: The power button on the docking station is designed to replicate the power button of the laptop. Connecting the Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S to supported Dell laptops, gives a second power button. The power button works like the power button on the laptop. You can use it to turn on, sleep, or force shut down the laptop. The power button is not functional if connected to unsupported Dell laptops or non-Dell laptops.
Dell Technologies recommends resetting the docking station, updating Windows, and updating the drivers for the computer and the docking station when troubleshooting a docking station problem.
NOTE: Your computer must be connected to the docking station before installing the driver updates.
Dock Reset Procedure:
- Remove the dock USB-C or Thunderbolt cable from the computer.
- Unplug AC power from the WD19 series dock.
- Drain any remaining power to the dock by holding the power button for 30 seconds.
- Plug AC power into the dock.
- The dock LED on the power button should blink three (3) times.
- Plug the dock USB-C or Thunderbolt cable back to the computer.
Windows Operating System and Dell driver updates:
- Run Windows Update to ensure that the operating system is up to date.
- Run SupportAssist (all models), or Dell Command Update (Precision, XPS, and Latitude) or Dell Update (Vostro, Inspiron, and G-Series) to update the computer BIOS and Drivers for both the computer and dock. Drivers can also be manually downloaded and installed from the Dell Support website.
- The dock must be connected to the computer during the update process to detect and install the dock firmware.
- Power cycle the dock once the firmware has been updated. (See instructions for the reset procedure above)
- Test the Docking Station to see if the issues are resolved.
| Dock Drivers and Firmware | Notes |
|---|---|
| Realtek USB Audio | Not used by WD19S, WD19TBS, or WD19DCS |
| Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver | |
| Dell Dock WD19 Series Firmware Update Utility | |
| System Drivers and Firmware | |
| Intel Thunderbolt Controller Firmware Update Utility |
|
| Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver |
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| Intel UHD Graphics Driver | Required even if the computer has a discrete graphics card. |
| BIOS | |
| Windows Operating System Updates | Run Windows Update |
Download and install the Dell Docking Station WD19 or WD19S drivers
- Browse to the Dell Drivers & Downloads page.
- Select the Operating System that is installed on the laptop.
- Download and install the latest drivers for the docking station.
NOTE: Download and install all available docking station drivers except the firmware update utility.
- Restart the computer.
- After the driver update process is complete, connect the AC adapter to the Dell WD19 or WD19S docking station.
- Attach the USB-C cable to the computer.
- Connect your devices such as monitor, keyboard, mouse, external hard drive to the docking station one at a time.
NOTE: To learn more about installing device drivers, see the Dell Knowledge Base article: How to download and install a device driver?
NOTE: Drivers for third-party devices such as keyboard, mouse, printers, must be installed if required. See the device manufacturer's website for more information.
See the Driver Installation Guide for Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S.
Microsoft Windows operating system includes the VGA graphics drivers only. It is recommended that the latest Dell graphics drivers applicable for your laptop should be installed for optimum graphics performance. The latest driver is available from the Dell Drivers & Downloads website, and it is listed under the "Video" section.
NOTE:
- For Nvidia Discrete Graphics solutions on the Latitude E-Family and Mobile Dell Precision laptops:
- First, install the Intel Media Adapter Graphics Driver applicable to your laptop.
- Second, install the Nvidia Discrete Graphics Driver applicable to your laptop.
- For AMD Discrete Graphics solutions on the Latitude E-Family and Mobile Dell Precision laptops:
- First, install the Intel Media Adapter Graphics driver applicable to your laptop.
- Second, install the AMD Discrete Graphics driver applicable to your laptop.
Before connecting the docking station to your laptop and connecting a monitor and other devices, ensure to install all the required drivers.
Connect the monitor to the docking station using the DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB-C cable provided with the monitor. The docking station supports up to four monitors* (available on select Dell laptops only) connected simultaneously. See the Display Resolution Table below for more details about the supported resolution when connecting multiple monitors to the docking station.
To learn more about setting up and troubleshooting issues with multiple monitor setups, see these Dell knowledge base articles: How to Set up Multiple Monitors or How to Troubleshoot Multiple Monitor Issues
Display resolution table
External monitors require a certain amount of bandwidth to work properly. Monitors with higher resolution require more bandwidth.
- HBR2 is DP 1.2 (5.4 Gbps maximum link rate per lane). With DP overhead, the effective data rate is 4.3 Gbps per lane.
- HBR3 is DP 1.4 (8.1 Gbps maximum link rate per lane). With DP overhead, the effective data rate is 6.5 Gbps per lane.
| Resolution | Minimum bandwidth required |
|---|---|
| 1 x FHD (1920 x 1080) @ 60 Hz | 3.2 Gbps |
| 1 x QHD (2560 x 1440) @ 60 Hz | 5.6 Gbps |
| 1 x 4k (3840 x 2160) @ 30 Hz | 6.2 Gbps |
| 1 x 4k (3840 x 2160) @ 60 Hz | 12.5 Gbps |
Display resolution table for non-Thunderbolt laptops
| DisplayPort available bandwidth | Single Display (maximum resolution) | Dual Display (maximum resolution) | Triple Display (maximum resolution) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBR2 (HBR2 x2 lanes - 8.6 Gbps) |
|
|
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| HBR3 ** (HBR3 x2 lanes - 12.9 Gbps) |
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|
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NOTE: Linux operating system is unable to physically turn off integrated display. The external display numbers are one less than the display numbers listed in the above tables.
If the Display Port Data Rate is HBR2 then the maximum resolution that Linux supports is 8192 x 8192 (counted with integrated display plus external display).
If the Display Port Data Rate is HBR2 then the maximum resolution that Linux supports is 8192 x 8192 (counted with integrated display plus external display).
NOTE: **Configuration that is supported with AMD and Nvidia in discrete-only mode or special-graphics mode. These modes are listed in the BIOS for the Dell Precision mobile workstations 7540 and 7740. They require disabling switchable graphics for discrete-only mode or enabling special-graphics mode when Switchable is enabled. If the laptop does not have these options in the BIOS, then four monitors are not supported.
NOTE: HDMI and Multi-Function DisplayPort (MFDP) Type-C ports on the back of all docks in the WD19 family are switch. HDMI and MFDP Type-C cannot support dual monitors simultaneously. Only one of these ports can be used as a display device at a time.
NOTE: If higher resolution monitors are used, the Graphics driver makes a judgment that is based on monitor specifications and display configurations. Some resolutions may not be supported, and so it is removed from the Intel Graphics Media Control Panel.
Resolution support is also dependent on the monitor’s Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) resolution.
Resolution support is also dependent on the monitor’s Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) resolution.
| Symptom | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| The docking station does not turn on. |
|
| No video on the monitors that are attached to the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), mini-DisplayPort (mDP) port, or DisplayPort (DP) port on the docking station |
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| The video on the attached monitor is distorted or flickering. |
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| The video on the attached monitor is not displaying as an Extended Monitor. |
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| The audio connector is not functioning or there is a lag in the audio. (WD19 only) |
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| The USB ports are not functioning on the docking station. |
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| The HDCP content is not displayed on the attached monitor. |
NOTE: The monitor or display connected to the docking station must support HDCP 2.2.
|
| The LAN port is not functioning. |
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| Cable LED is not ON after it is connected to your host. |
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| A USB port has no function in a pre-OS environment. | If your BIOS has a USB Configuration page, ensure that the following options are checked:
|
| PXE boot on dock does not function. | If your BIOS has an integrated NIC page, select Enabled w/PXE. If your BIOS Setup on your laptop has a USB Configuration page, ensure that the following options are checked:
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| USB Boot does not function. | If your BIOS has a USB Configuration page, ensure that the following options are checked:
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| AC Adapter is displayed as "Not Installed" in the Battery Information page of the Dell BIOS Setup when the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable is connected. |
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| Peripherals connected to the docking station do not work in a pre-OS environment. | If the BIOS Setup on your laptop has a USB Configuration page, check the following option to enable docking station function in a pre-OS environment:
|
| The alert message "You have attached an undersized power adapter to your computer" is displayed when the docking station is connected to your laptop. |
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| Undersized power adapter warning message that is displayed and cable LED are off. |
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| No external display, and the USB or data and cable LED is off. |
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| When the laptop or dock is moved, the cable LED turns off. |
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| Troubleshooting multiple monitor issues |
|
Additional Information
Frequently asked questions
Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S are compatible with Dell laptops that has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C alternate mode. The WD19 and WD19S docking stations are also compatible with laptops that have a Thunderbolt 3 port.
NOTE: To learn more about what type of USB-C port is available on your laptop, see the User Guide of the laptop.
USB-C also known as USB Type-C, is an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and turn on a single cable. USB-C is a common type of connector. Different protocols can be implemented. (For example: USB 2.0, 3.0, alternate modes like USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort over USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.) For more information, see: Guide to USB Type-C
DisplayPort over USB-C enables the delivery of full DisplayPort AV performance. (Driving monitor resolutions of 4 K and beyond.) It is SuperSpeed USB 3.1 data and up to 100 W of power with the convenience of reversible plug orientation and cable direction. DisplayPort is the first AV protocol to be carried over USB-C.
To easily identify if the USB-C port supports DisplayPort over USB-C, look for the DisplayPort icon next to the USB-C port.
Before using the docking station, ensure that your laptop has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB-C designed to support the docking station.
On non-Dell laptops, you may notice limited functionality.
Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S provide power to the laptop over USB-C cable in the following scenarios:
For Dell laptops
- Up to 90 W with Dell laptops, when the docking station is connected to a 130 W power supply.
- Up to 130 W with Dell laptops, when the docking station is connected to a 180 W power supply.
For non-Dell laptops
- Up to 90 W with non-Dell laptops and power supply
- Temperature triggers the fan. The dock fan does not rotate until the dock is hot enough to trigger a thermal threshold.
- Conversely, if your dock is not cool enough, the fan does not stop even when you disconnect the dock from the laptop.
- When you hear a loud fan noise, it is warning you that the dock is in some kind of a hot condition. For example, the vent in the dock may be blocked or the dock is working in a high working-temperature environment (> 35C). Eliminate these abnormal conditions from the dock. If you do not eliminate the abnormal condition, in a worst-case situation, the dock shuts down through the overtemperature protection mechanism. Once this happens, unplug the Type-C cable from the laptop and remove the dock’s power. Then, plug in the dock power to recover the dock back online.
- This is a normal condition. The first time plugging in of the dock’s AC adapter triggers the fan to rotate, but it turns off soon.
- The dock fan is designed with two different rotating speeds. The dock works on low fan speed. If you put the dock in a heavy loading or a high working-temperature environment, the dock fan may have a chance to work at a high speed. But, this is normal and the fan works at a low/high speed depending on the work loading.
- The Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S can charge your mobile or power bank even without being connected to the laptop. Ensure that your dock is connected to external power. The dock fan rotates automatically if the dock gets too warm. This is a normal working condition.
- When a new device is plugged in, the USB hub driver notifies the Plug and Play manager that a new device was detected. The plug and play manager queries the hub driver for all the device's hardware IDs and then notifies the Windows operating system that a new device must be installed. In this scenario, you see a hardware installation window.
- Step 1: The New Device is Identified
- Identifiers for USB Devices
- Dell docking station WD19 and WD19S are designed to operate on AC power only, and it does not support power coming from the laptop. (Powered by the USB-C port of the laptop.) A power loss event makes all devices on the dock fail to work. Even when you restore the AC power, the dock may still not function properly because the dock must negotiate a proper power contract with the USB-C port of the laptop and establish a laptop EC-dock-EC connection.
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Videos
Helpful videos
Using Your Dell Docking Station WD19 and WD19S
Duration: 03:02
Closed captions: English only
Article Properties
Affected Product
Dell Dock WD19, Dell Dock – WD19S
Last Published Date
04 Oct 2023
Version
14
Article Type
Solution