Dell Docking Station Ports and Connections Setup
Topics
Making the Connections
Connect your powered-off laptop to the docking station with the usb c cable at the end of the dock. (images 1 and 2 below)
Dell Dock connection cable - 1
USB-C port on side of Dell laptop - 2
After connection, press the power button on the docking station (Image 3) to start the laptop. Starting in this sequence allows the laptop to "sense" that it is docked and check for any dock-connected external monitors.
Docking Station Power Button - 3
Many use wireless internet connections at home. If internet speed slows, or reliability is sporadic, the back of the docking station has an ethernet port for directly connecting an ethernet cable. When laptop is connected to the dock, plugging an active ethernet cable into the back ethernet port of the dock (labeled as port 9 above) temporarily disables the laptop's wireless connection; and sets the ethernet connection as the primary internet source.
Users without docking stations may want to consider ordering a USB-C Ethernet Adapter Dongle. Priced at about $40, these dongles permit modern laptops to connect to an active wired ethernet connection. In the image below, a Dell Ethernet Dongle is shown.
