Plugable USB C Laptop Docking Station UD-6950PDH User Manual

Introduction

The Plugable UD-6950PDH is a 14-in-1 USB-C docking station designed to expand the connectivity and display capabilities of your laptop. It supports dual 4K 60Hz monitors via HDMI or DisplayPort, provides up to 100W of power delivery to your host laptop, and offers a variety of USB ports, card readers, and Ethernet connectivity. This manual provides instructions for setting up, operating, and troubleshooting your docking station.

Setup

1. Physical Connections

Connect the docking station to your laptop, monitors, and peripherals as described below. Ensure all cables are securely inserted.

Figure 1: Overview of the 14-in-1 USB-C Docking Station ports. The front features USB-C (5Gbps), 3x USB (5Gbps), Micro SD/SD Card Reader, Audio In/Out, and a Power Button. The rear includes Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbps), 2x Displays (HDMI and DisplayPort options), 2x USB (5Gbps), Power Input, and a K-Lock Security slot.

• Connect to Host: Use the provided USB-C cable to connect the docking station to your laptop's USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt port. This connection also delivers up to 100W of charging power to your laptop.
• Connect Displays: Use HDMI or DisplayPort cables to connect your monitors to the corresponding ports on the rear of the docking station. The dock supports two 4K 60Hz displays.
• Connect Power: Plug the power adapter into the docking station's power input port and then into a wall outlet.
• Connect Peripherals: Connect your USB devices (keyboard, mouse, external drives) to the available USB 3.0 ports on the front and rear of the dock. Insert SD or MicroSD cards into the card readers as needed. Connect headphones or a microphone to the 3.5mm audio jacks. For a wired network connection, plug an Ethernet cable into the Gigabit Ethernet port.

2. Driver Installation (DisplayLink)

For full functionality, especially for extended desktop on macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS, the DisplayLink driver must be installed. This driver enables the docking station to support multiple external displays beyond the native capabilities of some host systems.

Figure 2: Instructions for downloading and installing the DisplayLink driver. Steps include visiting Plugable.com/displaylink, choosing the correct driver for your system (Windows, macOS, ChromeOS), installing the driver, and for macOS, adjusting Security & Privacy settings to allow Screen Recording permission for DisplayLink Manager.

1. Visit the official Plugable DisplayLink drivers page: plugable.com/displaylink.
2. Download the appropriate DisplayLink driver for your operating system (macOS 11+, Windows 10+, or ChromeOS 100+).
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
4. For macOS users: After installation, you may need to grant 'Screen Recording' permission to the DisplayLink Manager in your system's Security & Privacy settings. This is required for DisplayLink to function correctly and does not record or store any information.

Operating the Docking Station

1. Display Configuration

Once the DisplayLink driver is installed and the dock is connected, your operating system should detect the external monitors. You can then configure your display settings:

• Extended Desktop: Arrange your monitors to extend your desktop across multiple screens. This allows for increased workspace and multitasking.
• Mirror Mode: Duplicate your primary display onto the external monitors.
• Resolution: The dock supports resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160) at 60Hz on both external displays. Adjust resolution settings in your operating system's display preferences.

Figure 3: A laptop connected to the Plugable docking station, extending its display across two external 4K monitors, demonstrating dual display capability.

2. Power Delivery

The docking station provides up to 100W of power delivery to your connected host laptop, allowing you to charge your device while using the dock. This eliminates the need for a separate laptop charger.

Figure 4: A laptop connected to the docking station, receiving 100W fast charging. An on-screen graphic indicates the charging status and speed.

Features

The Plugable UD-6950PDH docking station offers a comprehensive set of ports to enhance your workstation:

• Host Interface: USB-C with Power Delivery and Alternate Mode video support.
• Display Outputs: 2x HDMI ports and 2x DisplayPort ports for connecting two screens up to 4K 60Hz. You can choose any combination of two ports (e.g., 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, or 1x HDMI + 1x DisplayPort).
• USB Ports:
  • 1x Front-facing USB-C (5Gbps)
  • 4x USB 3.0 (5Gbps) ports (3 front, 2 rear)
• Card Readers: SD and MicroSD card readers for convenient data transfer.
• Audio: 3.5mm headset jack for combined audio input/output.
• Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbps) port for a stable wired network connection.
• Power Delivery: Up to 100W charging for compatible host laptops.

Compatibility

The UD-6950PDH docking station is designed for broad compatibility with various operating systems and devices:

Figure 5: Compatibility details for the docking station, listing supported OS versions (macOS 11+, Windows 10+, ChromeOS 100+) and popular compatible systems like M1/M2/M3/M4 MacBooks, Dell Latitude, Lenovo Thinkpad, and Chromebooks.

• Operating Systems: Compatible with macOS 11 and newer, Windows 10 and newer, and ChromeOS 100 and newer.
• Host Connection: Requires a full-featured USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt 3/4 port on the host system.
• Mac Compatibility: Ideal for Apple Mac M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 MacBooks, including MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, to circumvent single external display limitations via DisplayLink technology.
• PC Compatibility: Supports Dell XPS, Latitude, Inspiron series; Microsoft Surface Pro/Go/Book/Laptop models; HP ProBook, EliteBook, Spectre x360 series; Lenovo ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and Yoga; LG Gram; and thousands of other laptops with compliant USB-C ports.
• Driver Requirement: DisplayLink driver installation is required on all supported operating systems for full functionality and dual display output.
• HDCP: HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Plugable UD-6950PDH docking station, consider the following common solutions:

• No Display Output:
  • Ensure the DisplayLink driver is correctly installed and updated for your operating system.
  • Verify that the docking station's host port (marked with a laptop symbol) is connected to your computer.
  • Check all display cables (HDMI/DisplayPort) for secure connections.
  • For macOS, confirm that 'Screen Recording' permission is granted to DisplayLink Manager in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Power Issues:
  • Ensure the power adapter is securely connected to both the dock and a working wall outlet. The power adapter is always necessary for the dock to function correctly, regardless of host-charging needs.
  • Verify your laptop's USB-C port supports power delivery for charging functionality.
• Peripheral Not Detected:
  • Try connecting the peripheral to a different USB port on the dock.
  • Ensure the peripheral's drivers are installed on your computer.
• Intermittent Connectivity:
  • Disconnect and reconnect all cables, starting with the power adapter, then the host cable, and finally peripherals.
  • Ensure you are using the included USB-C cable with the docking station, as some third-party cables may only support charging or lower USB speeds.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

Every Plugable product, including this docking station, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our North American-based support team. You can find contact information on the official Plugable website.