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How to Use and Troubleshoot Dell USB Dock D3100

Summary: Learn how to setup, use, and troubleshoot Dell USB Dock D3100. Find information about drivers, setting up multiple monitors and steps to resolve common issues.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

D3100 Dell USB Dock Product Shot

Quick Links

Getting Started with your Dell USB Dock D3100 Dell USB Dock D3100 Setup, Specifications and Service Manual Dell Drivers & Downloads Warranty and Support Services

Dell USB Dock D3100 links all your electronic devices to your laptop using a single cable that supports USB 3.0. Connecting to the docking station, you gain access to all your devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, stereo speakers, external hard drive, and large-screen displays. This is without having to plug each one into the laptop.

Dell USB Dock D3100 works with DisplayLink technology that enables docking features over USB. The universal docking solution enables multiple displays, audio, Ethernet, and other USB devices to be connected to PCs through USB.

Cause

Not Applicable.

Resolution

For help with specifications, setup, connecting an external monitor, troubleshooting common issues, so forth, see the appropriate expanding section below.

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Computer Connectivity
  • USB 3 .0 Type-A
Video ports
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 2 x HDMI
Audio ports
  • 1 x audio line-out (rear)
  • 1 x headphone or microphone combo (front)
Network ports
  • 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
USB ports
  • 3 x USB 3.0 (front)
  • 2 x USB 2.0 (rear)

Minimum System Requirements for Productivity and Web Usage
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 2+GHz/Intel Core M/AMD Trinity or better
  • Memory: 4 GB Video Card: Intel HD 4000, ATI Radeon HD7xxx, NVidia GeForce 5xxM or better, with drivers released for the Windows version.
  • USB: USB 2.0 but USB 3.0 recommended
Minimum Requirements for Full-Screen Video Playback
  • Processor: Intel SkyLake i3 or Intel Core i7 2+GHz/AMD Richland A10-575x/AMD Kaveri A10-7400P or better
  • Memory: 8 GB Video Card: Intel HD 4000, ATI Radeon HD 8650, NVidia GeForce 7xxM or better, with drivers released for the Windows version.
  • USB: USB 3.0
  • Disk: 7200 RPM or SSD
The computer can decode 4K video in the GPU, if playing UHD content (4K).
Operating system
  • Windows 10, 8 or 8.1 and 7

Front view
Figure 1: Dell USB Dock D3100 front ports

1 Audio Combo 2 2 x USB 3.0 Connectors
3 USB 3.0 PowerShare Connector 4 Power LED

 

Back view
Figure 2: Dell USB Dock D3100 rear ports

1 Power AC Connector 2 USB In - Connects Dock to Primary System
3 DisplayPort Connector 4 2 x HDMI Connector
5 Ethernet Connector (RJ45) 6 USB 2.0 PowerShare and USB 2.0 Connector
7 Audio Line Out Connector    

 

Dell USB Dock D3100 works with DisplayLink technology that enables docking features over USB. The universal docking solution enables multiple displays, audio, Ethernet, and other USB devices to be connected to PCs through USB.

Note: For optimal performance, Dell Technologies recommends updating the BIOS and Chipset driver on your computer before installing the DisplayLink driver for the docking station.
  1. Download and install the latest DisplayLink driver from Dell Drivers & Downloads page
  2. Follow the screen instructions until the installation is complete
  3. Restart the computer
  4. Connect all the devices to the docking station
  5. Connect the docking station to your computer
Note: Latest DisplayLink drivers for supported operating systems can also be found at displaylink.com/downloads. External Link

Microsoft Windows operating system includes the VGA graphics drivers only. For optimum graphics performance, it is recommended that Dell graphics drivers applicable for your computer be installed from Dell Drivers & Downloads website under the "Video" section.

Connect the monitor to the docking station using the HDMI/DisplayPort cable provided with the monitor. Dell USB Dock D3100 supports up to three displays when connected to your computer using the USB 3.0 cable. 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 Setup Multiple Monitors or How to Troubleshoot Multiple Monitor Issues

Display resolution table

Number of video ports connected DisplayPort HDMI 1 HDMI 2
Single display 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz Not connected Not connected
Single display Not connected 2560 x 1440 @ 50 Hz Not connected
Single display Not connected Not connected 2560 x 1440 @ 50 Hz
Dual display 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz 2560 x 1440 @ 50 Hz Not connected
Dual display 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz Not connected 2560 x 1440 @ 50 Hz
Dual display Not connected 2048 x 1152 @ 60 Hz 2048 x 1152 @ 60 Hz
Triple display 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz 2048 x 1152 @ 60 Hz 2048 x 1152 @ 60 Hz

Symptom Possible Solution
There is no video on the monitor that is attached to the dock.
  • Check the video connection cables
  • Unplug the power, wait 10 seconds, and then reconnect
The video on the attached monitor is distorted or corrupted.
  • Check video connection cables
  • Check the video resolution under Control Panel\Display\Change Display Setting
The video on the attached monitor is not displaying in extended mode.
  • Press Windows logo key and P
  • Switch the display mode
The audio jacks are not functioning.
  • Right-click the Sound icon on the System Tray
  • Select Playback devices
  • Right-click and check both Show Disconnected Devices and Show Disabled Devices
  • Right-click USB Audio device and select Set as default
USB ports are not functioning on the dock.
  • Unplug from the power, wait 10 seconds, and then reconnect
  • Download and install the latest USB 3.0 host controller from Dell Drivers & Downloads page
External USB 3.0 Media Card Reader is not detected.
  • Unplug from the power, wait 10 seconds, and then reconnect
  • Update to the latest USB 3.0 host controller driver
HDCP content is not able to display on the attached monitor.
  • HDCP content support is not available
DisplayLink Driver is not able to install. You can download the latest DisplayLink driver from:
Laptop failed to boot with dock connected
  • Remove all USB devices that are connected to the dock
  • Power on the laptop
Some unqualified boot devices may cause a lockup during boot.
Laptop failed to wake up from Ethernet port
  • Check the settings under BIOS Items to ensure laptop supports wake-up-from-Ethernet port function
No video on the monitors that are attached to High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or DisplayPort (DP) port on the dock
  • If your monitor is connected to the dock, the video output on your computer may be disabled. You can enable the video output under Control Panel\Display\Change Display Setting
  • Check the resolution settings on your computer. Your monitor may support higher resolutions than what the dock can support. See the Display Resolution Table in the User Guide of your dock for more information about maximum resolution capacity
  • Ensure the video cable (HDMI or DisplayPort) is connected properly to the monitor and the dock. Ensure to select the correct video source on your monitor (see your monitors documentation for more information about changing the video source)
  • If only one monitor is shown, and the other monitor is not. Download the latest driver from the DisplayLink website to install or Connect to Windows Update with dock (by using Wi-Fi or Ethernet port of the laptop)
  • Try with a different monitor and Laptop that is known to be good, if possible

Affected Products

Dell USB3.0 dock D3100
Article Properties
Article Number: 000132115
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 11 Nov 2022
Version:  6
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