ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 & Workstation Dock User Guide

Brand: Lenovo

Product Type: Docking Station

Chapter 1: About the Dock

Product Description

The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 and ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock are portable expansion modules designed to connect your computer to a local area network (LAN) and multiple devices, such as headsets, monitors, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices.

For a list of compatible computers, visit http://www.lenovo.com/support/docks and select the appropriate entry for the dock.

Operating System Requirements

The docks are supported on the following operating systems:

Microsoft® Windows® 7
Microsoft Windows 10

In the Box

For ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2:

Dock
135 W power adapter and power cord
Thunderbolt 3 cable
Documentation

For ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock:

Dock
230-watt or 170-watt power adapter and power cord
65-watt power adapter and power cord
Thunderbolt 3 workstation cable
Documentation

If any item is missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase. Retain proof of purchase and packing material for potential warranty service.

Dock Controls, Connectors, and Indicators

Dock Controls and Connectors (Diagram 1 - Page 6)

The dock features several controls and connectors:

1 Indicator in ThinkPad logo: The indicator is solid when the dock is connected to AC power.
2 Audio connector: Connect headphones or a headset with a 3.5-mm (0.14-inch), 4-pole plug.
3 USB-C connector (Thunderbolt 3 compatible): Use this connector for high-speed data transfer (supported by Thunderbolt 3 technology), charging your device, or connecting to an external display.
- Note: This connector does not support external display if your computer does not have a Thunderbolt 3 compatible USB-C connector.
- Note: Do not connect your computer to this connector.
4 USB 3.1 connector Gen 2: Used for connecting USB-compatible devices such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB storage device, or USB printer, offering greater data transfer rates.

Dock Controls and Connectors (Diagram 2 - Page 7)

The rear and front of the dock feature additional controls and connectors:

1 Security-lock slot: Allows you to secure your dock to a desk, table, or other fixture using a compatible security cable lock.
2 Power button with indicator:
- When the dock is connected to AC power only (not the computer), pressing this button turns the dock on or off.
- When the dock is connected to both AC power and the computer, this button functions as the computer's power button.
The indicator in the power button shows the status of the dock and computer:
- Off: The dock is off, the computer is off, or the computer is in hibernation mode.
- White: The computer is on.
- White and blinking slowly: The computer is in sleep mode.
- Amber: The dock is on.
3 USB 3.1 connector Gen 2: Connect USB-compatible devices. For optimal data transfer, connect USB 3.1 devices to a USB 3.1 connector rather than a USB 2.0 connector. It is recommended to connect wireless keyboard or mouse receivers to this connector.
4 Always On USB 3.1 connector Gen 2: Connect USB-compatible devices or charge mobile digital devices and smartphones when the dock is connected to AC power.
5 Ethernet connector: Connect the dock to a local area network (LAN).
6 DisplayPort connectors: Connect high-performance monitors, direct-drive monitors, or other devices that use a DisplayPort connector.
7 HDMI connectors: The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector is a digital audio and video interface, enabling connection to compatible digital audio devices or video monitors, such as an HDTV.
9 AC power connector: Connect the AC power adapter.
10 Thunderbolt 3 workstation connector: Connect the dock to your computer using the Thunderbolt 3 workstation cable.

Statement on USB Transfer Rate

The actual transfer rate using the various USB connectors on this device may vary and be slower than the listed data rate due to factors like host and peripheral processing capability, file attributes, system configuration, and operating environments.

USB Device	Data Rate (Gbit/s)
3.1 Gen 2	10

Chapter 2: Set up the Dock

Connect the Dock to Your Computer

Note: Ensure you use the AC power adapter, power cord, and cables provided with the dock.

ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 Setup

Follow these steps to connect the ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2:

Connect one end of the Thunderbolt 3 cable to the dock.
Connect the other end of the Thunderbolt 3 cable to the computer.
Connect the power cord to the AC power adapter.
Connect the 135-watt AC power adapter to the power connector on the dock.
Connect the power cord to an electrical outlet.

ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock Setup

Follow these steps to connect the ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock:

Connect one end of the Thunderbolt 3 workstation cable to the dock.
Connect the other end of the Thunderbolt 3 workstation cable to the computer.
Connect the power cords to the AC power adapters.
Connect the 230-watt or 170-watt AC power adapter to the power connector labeled 4a and the 65-watt adapter to connector labeled 4b.
Connect the power cords to electrical outlets.

Enable the Dock

To enable the dock when connected to the computer for the first time, perform one of the following:

Confirm the change when prompted, if you have administrator privileges.
Enter the ThinkPad Setup program (BIOS), navigate to the Config menu, select Thunderbolt(TM) 3, then Security level, and finally choose No Security.

Install the Device Driver

The device driver is preinstalled on compatible Lenovo computers, making the dock ready for use after connecting it to an AC power source and your computer. You can also download the latest device driver from the Lenovo website:

Go to http://www.lenovo.com/support/docks.
Select the entry for the dock.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the device driver.

Chapter 3: Use the Dock

Use the Audio Connector

After setup, the audio connector on the dock is enabled, while the one on the computer is disabled by default. To change default audio settings:

Right-click the speaker icon in the Windows notification area.
Click "Playback devices". The Sound window will display.
In the Playback tab, select an audio line-out device and click "Set Default".
In the Recording tab, select an audio line-in device and click "Set Default".
Click OK.

Note: You may need to restart applications using audio devices for changes to take effect.

Use the Ethernet Connector

To use the Ethernet connector, connect the dock to a 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or 1000 Mbps network using an Ethernet cable. The connector has two network status indicators: a solid green light indicates a connection to a LAN, while a blinking yellow light indicates data transmission.

The following functions are available when the dock is connected to a LAN:

Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE): This technology allows computers to start from a server, enhancing manageability.
MAC Address Pass Through: After enabling this function, the dock's MAC address matches your computer's MAC address.
Wake on LAN or Wake on LAN from Dock: Network administrators can remotely power on computers using these features. This enables remote operations like data transfer, software updates, and UEFI BIOS flash updates outside of normal working hours, minimizing disruption and LAN traffic, thereby saving time and increasing productivity.

Note: To use the Wake on LAN from Dock feature to wake the computer from hibernation or turn it on, ensure the dock is connected to the computer's USB-C connector.

To enable Wake on LAN features via your computer's BIOS:

Restart the computer. When the logo screen appears, press F1 to enter the ThinkPad Setup program.
Select Config → Network. The Network submenu will display.
Select the desired option for the Wake on LAN feature.
Press F10 to save settings and exit.

Use the Video Output Connectors

The dock supports up to two external displays via its video output connectors. External displays will only activate once your computer enters the Windows operating system. Avoid using the DisplayPort and HDMI connectors simultaneously, as only the monitor connected to the DisplayPort will be active in that scenario.

Diagram Visual Description (Page 12): The diagram shows various video output ports (DisplayPort, HDMI) and a visual representation of display connection status: a checkmark [✔] indicates a successful connection, while a cross mark [✖] indicates a problem or unsupported configuration.

Maximum Resolutions

The maximum resolutions for external displays may vary depending on the computer.

ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2:

Maximum Resolution	Computer Requirement
Up to 3840 x 2160 pixels / 60 Hz	With a USB-C connector (Thunderbolt 3 compatible)
Up to 3840 x 2160 pixels / 30 Hz	With a USB-C connector

ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock:

Up to 3840 x 2160 pixels / 60 Hz

For the latest maximum display matrix, visit http://www.lenovo.com/support/docks and select the dock entry.

Configure the External Displays

You can configure external displays connected to your dock to suit your needs:

Choose a display mode: extend, mirror, or single-display mode.
Rotate the external displays.
Set the resolution.
Set the color quality.

To configure external displays:

Right-click on the desktop and select "Screen resolution" (Windows 7) or "Display settings" (Windows 10).
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the configuration.

For more information, refer to the Windows help information.

Chapter 4: Troubleshooting

General Issues

The dock does not work after connecting to a computer with the provided Thunderbolt 3 cable.
- Ensure the dock is properly powered by its adapter. It requires an external power adapter for operation, not solely power from the Thunderbolt 3 connector.
- Verify that the dock's device driver is installed correctly. If not, install it and restart the computer.
- Confirm that the USB-C connector on your computer is functioning correctly.
2.4 GHz wireless keyboard or mouse function is interrupted, the mouse pointer lags or does not move, or characters are lost during keyboard input.
- Ensure the 2.4 GHz wireless device receiver is connected to a front USB 3.0 connector on the dock.
The charging speed for a connected device (e.g., mobile phone) is slow.
- The charging speed may improve if you connect your device to the "Always On USB 3.1 connector Gen 2".
- Disconnecting the dock from the computer might also improve charging speed.
Mobile devices connected to the Always On USB 3.1 connector Gen 2 cannot be charged.
It is recommended to disconnect the dock from the computer when charging mobile devices.
The mouse and keyboard cannot wake up the computer when connected to the Always On USB 3.1 connector Gen 2.
Connect your mouse or keyboard to another USB connector on the dock.
The computer cannot be charged after connecting it to the dock.
Ensure the dock is connected to AC power using the power adapter that was shipped with the dock.

Video Output Issues

The external monitor display is blank.
- Ensure no more than three external displays are connected to the dock.
- Verify that the computer connected to the dock is running correctly and is not in standby or hibernation mode. External monitor displays are always blank in these modes.
- Ensure the device driver is installed according to the installation instructions.
- Confirm the following components are securely connected:
  - Your computer and the dock
  - The dock and the electrical outlet
  - The dock and external displays
If the problem persists, disconnect all cables from the dock, uninstall the device driver, reinstall the driver, and reconnect all cables. Refer to Chapter 2, "Set up the Dock," on page 5.
Cannot play back videos on the external monitor but can play them back on the computer screen.
Some computers do not support the Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP), preventing playback of protected videos on the external monitor connected to the dock. To play back videos, connect the external monitor to the VGA or DisplayPort connector on your computer and configure display settings as preferred. See "Configure the external displays" on page 8.
Images on the external monitor flutter.
Check the display resolution of the external displays and ensure it is supported by the dock.
The computer can play back Web flashes, but playback stops when dragging the window to the external monitor and maximizing it.
Update your Adobe Flash Player program to the latest version.

Audio Issues

By default, the audio connector on the computer is disabled. To enable the computer's audio connector, refer to "Use the video output connectors" on page 8 for more information.

Appendix A: Accessibility Information

Documentation in Accessible Formats

Lenovo provides electronic documentation in accessible formats, such as properly tagged PDF files or HyperText Markup Language (HTML) files. This documentation is developed to ensure visually impaired users can read it via a screen reader. Each image includes adequate alternative text to explain its content for screen reader users.

To open and view PDF files, your computer must have the Adobe Reader program installed. The Adobe Reader program is available for download at: http://www.adobe.com.

Appendix B: Trademarks

LENOVO, LENOVO logo, THINKPAD, and THINKPAD logo are trademarks of Lenovo.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

DisplayPort is a trademark of the Video Electronics Standards Association.

The terms HDMI and HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries.

USB-C is a trademark of USB Implementers Forum.

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