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Dell Computers with USB Type-C Ports and Thunderbolt 3 Compatibility

Summary: Learn why some Dell computers with USB Type-C ports do not support Thunderbolt 3 devices. Find out which models have Thunderbolt 3 capability and get guidance on system requirements and BIOS settings. ...

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

Dell Computer Does Not Work With a Thunderbolt 3 Device

You may encounter an issue where a Dell computer with a USB Type-C port does not support a connection to a Thunderbolt 3 device (such as a Dell Thunderbolt Dock (TB16). This is a result of either:

  • The system does not meet the hardware requirements for Thunderbolt 3.
  • The system can but was not ordered with an OPTIONAL Thunderbolt 3 controller.

Cause

Note: If the system was not ordered with the Thunderbolt 3 options, it cannot be added later.

Resolution

Ensure That Your System is Equipped With a Thunderbolt 3 Controller

While many Dell systems are equipped with a USB Type-C port, many of these systems do not have the optional Thunderbolt 3 controller. These systems have the USB Type-C port which can be used with Thunderbolt 3 on systems that are so equipped, but USB Type-C is the default port (Without Thunderbolt) for several systems.

Types of USB Type-C ports:

  • Power or Charge Battery
  • Data use only (select systems only)
  • Display Port over USB
  • Thunderbolt 3 device support (Optional on many systems, Standard on select systems)

These systems have USB Type-C but DO NOT HAVE Thunderbolt 3 capability:

  • Latitude 5175 2-in-1
  • Latitude 5179 2-in-1
  • Latitude 5280
  • Latitude 5290
  • Latitude 5480 (U or H processor and Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) integrated graphics)
  • Latitude 5580 (U or H processor and Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) integrated graphics)
  • Latitude 5490
  • Latitude 5590
  • Latitude 5285
  • Latitude 5289

Display Port over USB Type-C ONLY:

  • Vostro 13-5390
  • Vostro 13-5391
  • Vostro 14-5490
  • Vostro 15-5590
  • Vostro 15-5581

Here is an example of a USB Type-C system order SKU: 338-BKXK Intel HD Graphics 620 with DisplayPort over USB Type-C with Core i5 vPro

These systems are compatible with the Dell USB Type-C Dock (WD15)

Systems that have optional Thunderbolt 3 capability have a USB Thunderbolt configuration option listed in the BIOS regardless of having a Thunderbolt 3 option installed.

If the system DOES NOT have Thunderbolt 3 capability, the thunderbolt options are disabled and cannot be selected in the BIOS.

Dell Computer BIOS with No Thunderbolt Capability Example

These systems can be configured at the time of purchase with optional Thunderbolt 3 capability:

  • Latitude 5480 (H series processor with Discrete Graphics)
  • Latitude 5491
  • Latitude 5580 (H series processor with Discrete Graphics)
  • Latitude 5591
  • Latitude 7280 with vPro
  • Latitude 7380 with vPro
  • Latitude 7480 with vPro
  • Latitude 7290
  • Latitude 7390
  • Latitude 7490
  • Latitude 5570 (H series processor with Discrete Graphics)
  • Latitude 7275
  • Latitude 7370
  • Precision 3510
  • Precision 7510
  • Precision 7710
  • Precision 3520
  • Precision 3530
  • Precision 7520
  • Precision 7720
  • XPS 12 9250

Thunderbolt 3 is standard on the following systems:

  • Precision 5510
  • Precision 5520
  • Precision 5530
  • Precision 7530
  • Precision 7730
  • Vostro 15-7590
  • XPS 13 9365 2-in-1
  • XPS 13 9350
  • XPS 13 9360
  • XPS 15 9550
  • XPS 15 9560
  • XPS 13 9370
  • XPS 15 9570
  • XPS 9575 2-in-1

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The following are examples of Thunderbolt, USB Type-C, ports, and cables.

Thunderbolt Port Thunderbolt Port
USB Type-C Port USB Type-C Port
Thunderbolt Cable Thunderbolt Cable
USB Type-C Cable USB Type-C Cable

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Additional Information on TB16 Docking Stations:

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Out of Warranty Support Icon Out of warranty? No problem. Browse to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

Note: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China personal computer customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Affected Products

Latitude 5280/5288, Latitude 5290, Latitude 7280, Latitude 7290, Latitude 7370, Latitude 7390, Latitude 5480/5488, Latitude 5490, Latitude 5491, Latitude 7480, Latitude 7490, Latitude 5580, Latitude 5590, Latitude 5591, Latitude 5175 2-in-1 , Latitude 5179 2-in-1, Latitude 7275, Latitude E5570, Precision 3530, Precision 5520, Precision 7520, Precision 7530, Precision 7720, Precision 7730, Precision 3510, Precision 5510, Precision 7510, Precision 7710, XPS 12 9250, XPS 13 9350 (End of Life), XPS 13 9365 2-in-1, XPS 13 9370, XPS 15 9550, XPS 15 9560, XPS 15 9570, XPS 15 9575 2-in-1 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000130984
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 21 Aug 2024
Version:  9
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