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Undersized Power Adapter Error When Computer is Connected to a Certain Docking Stations

Summary: This article provides information about an "Undersized Power Adapter" alert with TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking stations.

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

Undersized Power Adapter

You may get an error when you attach your computer to a TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking station.
The error is "undersized power adapter is attached" even though the computer is supported on the TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking stations with the correct AC Adapter connected (Figure 1).
Alert! You have attached an undersized 60W power adapter to your system error
Figure 1

Note: This error may appear after updating the docking station firmware on the Dell Precision 7530 or 7730, but this is normal. To stop the error, disconnect the docking station and AC adapter from the Dell Precision 7530 or 7730.

Then connect the AC adapter first and then the TB18DC docking station. The message should not reappear unless another firmware update is done to the docking station.

Cause

No cause information

Resolution

Note: Verify that you are using the correct AC adapter for the computer.

This is the expected behavior if the following procedure is not followed in sequence.

  1. Power the TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking station on.
  2. Power the computer on.
  3. Connect the computer to the TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking station.

The TB16, TB18DC, WD15, WD19, or WD19S docking stations require at least 10 seconds to initialize. When the above steps are followed, the proper communication between the computer and the dock station can be established.

Affected Products

Dell Dock WD15, Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB16, Dell Precision Dual USB-C Thunderbolt Dock - TB18DC, Dell Dock WD19, Dell Performance Dock - WD19DC, Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS, Dell Dock – WD19S, Dell Thunderbolt Dock - WD19TB , Dell Thunderbolt Dock – WD19TBS, Precision 7530, Precision 7730 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000134196
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 06 Nov 2024
Version:  7
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