How to Check the Firmware Version of a Dell USB-C or Thunderbolt Dock

Why know the firmware on a wired USB Type-C or Thunderbolt dock?

There are several reasons to want to know the particular firmware version on a particular device such as a wired dock. These range from:

• Confirming the device is running on the latest and best instruction sets possible.
• Troubleshooting an issue with the device.
• Making sure that an older version of the firmware is not installed on a computer than is already installed.

Firmware is data that is stored on a device's read-only memory (ROM) that consists of programs that developers write to make devices work. Without firmware, most of the devices in use daily would not be able to work. Firmware is the software responsible for allowing our hardware devices to communicate with each other and do what they are supposed to do. Many of the devices that are in use today require that sometimes the manufacturer makes improvements to the programs that run the device (firmware). These improvements are released as firmware updates.

How to check the firmware on a wired USB-C or Thunderbolt dock

Connect the wired dock to a compatible laptop and follow the steps below:

1. Open a browser and go to the Dell Support site to download the latest firmware update (if available) for the wired dock:

   1. Go to Browse all products > Electronics and Accessories > PC and Tablet Accessories.

   2. Select your dock from the list.

   3. Select Drivers & Downloads from the menu down the left side of the page.

   4. Ensure that the correct Operating System is set to match that on the laptop.

   5. Click the Category drop-down box and select Docks/Stands.

   6. Select Dell Wired Dock/Docking Monitor Stand (DS1000) firmware update utility from the list and follow the on-screen instructions to download it to your C:/> drive.

2. Open an elevated Command Prompt.

   1. Click the Windows Start icon on your desktop and type Command Prompt.

   2. Right click the Command Prompt icon that appears and select Run as Administrator from the menu.

3. Take it back to a C:\ prompt by running the following command:

    

   C:\>Windows\system32>CD\

    

4. Run the following command:

    

   C:\>delldockingstationfwUp_1.0.4_IE_03222018 /componentsvers

    

   Where 1.0.4_IE_0322018 is the current version of the downloaded firmware update

5. A message opens with the installed firmware. This example is for the WD15 dock, and the message lists the following firmware:

   Wired Dock EC ... 01.00.00.10
   
   Wired Dock USB PD ... 01.01.08
   
   Cable USB PD ... 00.03.12
   
   Multi Stream Transport (MST) Hub #1 ... 03.10.00.02

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