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Thunderbolt 3 Dock - Displayport - Dell 4k Issue

Wuzakee

Wuzakee

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 15, 2017
4
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I've had issues with two different thunderbolt 3 docks connecting to a 27" Dell 4k monitor using a DisplayPort cable. The laptop recognizes it's hooked up to the monitor and displays it correctly at 60 hz in system report, but the monitor continuously flickers (portions of the screen quickly shift) and turns on and off (every few seconds at best, sometimes several times per second).

2017 MacBook Pro 15"
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Kensington Thunderbolt 3 Dock (bought it when I thought maybe the Belkin was at fault).
Dell 2715Q 27" 4K Monitor

I've tried with three different display port to display port cables. The third one, I ordered specifically to make sure it was VESA certified 1.2.

There is no problem using any of the DisplayPort cables from my PC or a Mini DisplayPort to display port cable with my earlier MacBook Pro. I can also use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable with no problem, both directly from the 2017 MacBook Pro or through either of the Thunderbolt 3 docks. I've also tried swapping around the Belkin and Kensington supplied Thunderbolt 3 cables.

Everything else with the docks works.

Unfortunately, I'm out of different cables/adaptors, and certainly no more 4k monitors to try out. Although it works, I don't want to tie up one of the dock's limited Thunderbolt 3 ports to go the USB-C to DisplayPort route.

Has any one had any similar issues? Appreciate any help.
 
I had the same thing happen.

I have the Dell 27" 4K display, recently got a 2017 15" MacBook Pro and the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock. When I connected the dock to the display via DisplayPort, it would either flicker or disconnect briefly every 15 seconds or so.

I just returned the Elgato dock, but now I'm seeing that the problem wasn't specific to this dock.



Wuzakee said:
I've had issues with two different thunderbolt 3 docks connecting to a 27" Dell 4k monitor using a DisplayPort cable. The laptop recognizes it's hooked up to the monitor and displays it correctly at 60 hz in system report, but the monitor continuously flickers (portions of the screen quickly shift) and turns on and off (every few seconds at best, sometimes several times per second).

2017 MacBook Pro 15"
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Kensington Thunderbolt 3 Dock (bought it when I thought maybe the Belkin was at fault).
Dell 2715Q 27" 4K Monitor

I've tried with three different display port to display port cables. The third one, I ordered specifically to make sure it was VESA certified 1.2.

There is no problem using any of the DisplayPort cables from my PC or a Mini DisplayPort to display port cable with my earlier MacBook Pro. I can also use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable with no problem, both directly from the 2017 MacBook Pro or through either of the Thunderbolt 3 docks. I've also tried swapping around the Belkin and Kensington supplied Thunderbolt 3 cables.

Everything else with the docks works.

Unfortunately, I'm out of different cables/adaptors, and certainly no more 4k monitors to try out. Although it works, I don't want to tie up one of the dock's limited Thunderbolt 3 ports to go the USB-C to DisplayPort route.

Has any one had any similar issues? Appreciate any help.
Click to expand...
 
Posts like these make me wonder if perhaps an eGPU setup would be a better solution? I have 2 P2415Q Dell monitors I'd like to connect to a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. (It hasn't arrived yet.) I'm currently using a 2013 15" MacBook Pro and it's working wonderfully.

At $300 for a dock that would theoretically support my 2 4K monitors, I wonder if spending a bit more on an eGPU setup would be better? All I really care about is the monitors and I've read that there are eGPU docks that charge the MacBook as well.

Thoughts?
 
For your setup, I'd go with an egpu that can supply power to your MacBook. You won't get the extra ports (USB A, Ethernet), but the egpu obviously has other advantages.


iregret said:
Posts like these make me wonder if perhaps an eGPU setup would be a better solution? I have 2 P2415Q Dell monitors I'd like to connect to a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. (It hasn't arrived yet.) I'm currently using a 2013 15" MacBook Pro and it's working wonderfully.

At $300 for a dock that would theoretically support my 2 4K monitors, I wonder if spending a bit more on an eGPU setup would be better? All I really care about is the monitors and I've read that there are eGPU docks that charge the MacBook as well.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
Anyone else with this monitor (2715Q) - can you confirm if your T3 dock using the DisplayPort cable works? For the record, the in-monitor MST option (off by default) remains off.

Kensington tech support suggested a PRAM and SMC reset.
Dell was useless, nonsensical script.
On hold with Belkin...

No longer have the Belkin (return period up), have a little more time with the Kensington.
[doublepost=1501000265][/doublepost]Belkin just said it sounded like it was defective. Here's a link to discussion about the same DisplayPort issue, using a Caldigit dock.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/macenterprise/9HQJrpuz0KA

Just seems odd, I haven't heard any problems with any of these docks either than with the DisplayPort.
 
I have the same problem on a Dell P2415Q with a CalDigit Lite. 30Hz/60Hz refresh rates, and even when forced to lower resolution. Works fine when connected directly via a TB3->DP cable (I get full 4k/60Hz, perfect performance). It seems like there is some defective chip/chipset that all these manufacturers use.
 
Thanks for posting the suggestions from Caldigit - good that they acknowledge something's up. I did order a short (less than 1 m) cable specifically for this, and it also does not work.

Quick summary, now that I've tried two different MacBook Pro's, 2 Dell monitors (a 27" 4k and a 32" 4k), many cables, a Kensington dock and two Belkins. I could never get a DisplayPort cable to work. A DisplayPort to mini-displayport cable "sort -of" worked. It connected, and everything looked great, but over the course of even 30 minutes it went down hill from flickering once every few minutes to every few seconds, and powering on and off the monitor. That happened from two different 2017 MacBook pro's.

In the end, only solution is to use up the only free thunderbolt-3 port with a usb-c to DisplayPort cable.

If I ever get enough motivation, I'd write to each of the dock manufacturers and hope someone gives a reply. There's no way that the techs that actually make the docks don't know exactly why this happens.
 
Greetings from Germany Folks!

I am encountering the same problem. Config:
- 2017 MBPro 13" with touch bar / 8GB RAM / running High Sierra 10.12.6
- Dell P2715Q bought late 2015
- Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock bought Sept 17

The Thunderbolt 3 dock is connected to the MBPro via the short USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 cable that came with the dock. Monitor connected to Belkin Dock via short (1meter) regular size dp to dp cable made by CROMO. Bought the cable because I got an advise from another blog that this might solve the problem.

As long as I run the monitor in 30Hz mode (MST set to secondary) all works fine. If I switch MST off, hence running the monitor at 60Hz with 3840x2160 resolution flickering would start. Initially maybe once every 5sec, intensifying to once every 2sec as time goes on.

I suspect all would work well if I connect the monitor directly to the other Thunderbolt 3 port on the MB Pro. But I bought the Belkin dock to avoid exactly that. I wanted to have a clean setup with only one cable running between the Belkin dock and the MBPro.

I would agree that the Belkin technicians must have come across this issue when engineering the unit. Hence they should have an answer.

Best Regards
Klaus
 
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OP:

Have you tried a -direct connection- from the MacBook to the display?
If so, does it work?

If it -does- work, the best advice I can give is, "forget the dock and go with what works for you".
Not much more that can be said.

Seems like thunderbolt "docking technology" isn't really all that it's cracked up to be...at least not yet. (sigh)
 
Hi all!

I stumpled across this thread in the search of a dock for my Macbook Pro 2017 to go along with my Dell P2415Q monitor.

From reading this thread I'm worried that no dock can actual get me 60hz, is that correct?
Currently Im getting 60hz just fine with a direct cable but since I'm tired of hooking up the power cable, monitor cable and usb hub cable everytime i "dock in", I'm looking for at dock with a single cable to solve my problem.

Does anyone know of dock that will support 60hz with my P2415Q and charge my macbook at the same time?
 
If you can live with losing one of the thunderbolt 3 ports from the dock (the one, other remaining port after you connect your laptop) then it will work fine, 4k 60hz, using a USB-C to DisplayPort (or DP mini).

As linked above (I think), one of the dock manufacturer's has a post about a few monitors, including a few Dells, that have issues using the preferred Displayport port from the dock. See if your 24" is included in that list.

For me, that included a Dell 27" and 32", no matter which dock I tried. I think I ended up trying three or four.

That said, the newer Dell 27" 4k, the one with thin bezels, did work as it should.





christofori said:
Hi all!

I stumpled across this thread in the search of a dock for my Macbook Pro 2017 to go along with my Dell P2415Q monitor.

From reading this thread I'm worried that no dock can actual get me 60hz, is that correct?
Currently Im getting 60hz just fine with a direct cable but since I'm tired of hooking up the power cable, monitor cable and usb hub cable everytime i "dock in", I'm looking for at dock with a single cable to solve my problem.

Does anyone know of dock that will support 60hz with my P2415Q and charge my macbook at the same time?
Click to expand...
 
Wuzakee said:
I've had issues with two different thunderbolt 3 docks connecting to a 27" Dell 4k monitor using a DisplayPort cable. The laptop recognizes it's hooked up to the monitor and displays it correctly at 60 hz in system report, but the monitor continuously flickers (portions of the screen quickly shift) and turns on and off (every few seconds at best, sometimes several times per second).

2017 MacBook Pro 15"
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Kensington Thunderbolt 3 Dock (bought it when I thought maybe the Belkin was at fault).
Dell 2715Q 27" 4K Monitor

I've tried with three different display port to display port cables. The third one, I ordered specifically to make sure it was VESA certified 1.2.

There is no problem using any of the DisplayPort cables from my PC or a Mini DisplayPort to display port cable with my earlier MacBook Pro. I can also use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable with no problem, both directly from the 2017 MacBook Pro or through either of the Thunderbolt 3 docks. I've also tried swapping around the Belkin and Kensington supplied Thunderbolt 3 cables.

Everything else with the docks works.

Unfortunately, I'm out of different cables/adaptors, and certainly no more 4k monitors to try out. Although it works, I don't want to tie up one of the dock's limited Thunderbolt 3 ports to go the USB-C to DisplayPort route.

Has any one had any similar issues? Appreciate any help.
Click to expand...

Get the Caldigit TS3 or TS3 plus dock. you won't have these issues with it. I run a U3415W which is almost 4k resolution on mine with no issues. I had the Elgato TB3 dock which is the same internals as the Belkin, and had issues with it. I also run a 2017 MBP 15" and it charges it great!

Also, a cable has a lot to do with it per Caldigit support. That maybe also why those other docks had issues due to poor quality cables.

oYPte7OHRhSwf6W4Y+ABUg.jpg

IMG_0078.jpg
[doublepost=1518315797][/doublepost]
dechols said:
I had the same thing happen.

I have the Dell 27" 4K display, recently got a 2017 15" MacBook Pro and the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock. When I connected the dock to the display via DisplayPort, it would either flicker or disconnect briefly every 15 seconds or so.

I just returned the Elgato dock, but now I'm seeing that the problem wasn't specific to this dock.
Click to expand...

That's because the Elgato, Belkin and Kensington all have the same internals, thats why they all look alike.
 
Last edited:
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christofori said:
Hi all!

I stumpled across this thread in the search of a dock for my Macbook Pro 2017 to go along with my Dell P2415Q monitor.

From reading this thread I'm worried that no dock can actual get me 60hz, is that correct?
Currently Im getting 60hz just fine with a direct cable but since I'm tired of hooking up the power cable, monitor cable and usb hub cable everytime i "dock in", I'm looking for at dock with a single cable to solve my problem.

Does anyone know of dock that will support 60hz with my P2415Q and charge my macbook at the same time?
Click to expand...

So I was running the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock with my MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar from last year and two Dell P2715Qs, one through a DP to mini-DP cable and another through a USB-C to DP cable, both at 4K 60Hz. Life was beautiful.

However after I upgraded the OS to High Sierra, one of the monitors is at 30Hz. If I unplug either monitor, the other one works solo at 60Hz. Not sure how to fix it.
 
I had this problem with a Dell p2415q and a MacPro 2013 years ago - there might be an older thread around here on the forum. Flickering picture at 4K 60Hz, perfect picture at 4k 30Hz. The monitor was directly hooked to the Mac. Interestingly enough the problem vanished by FORCING the mac to output the picture at 4K 50Hz. There is a utility for Mac who does that quite good. It was not a OS X issue - bootcamp Windows 10 had the same problem.

Interestingly enough with a Firmware Update of the MacPro the problem vanished. Lost the details of the whole thing since then....
 
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