How to Find Docking Station in Device Manager Windows 10
Docking station issues on Windows 10 [EASY STEPS]
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Are you experiencing Windows 10 docking station issues on your computer after connecting your docking station or upgrading to Windows 10?
If this is your situation, this article may be of help as we will look at some of the most common issues and the corresponding quick fixes to help you resolve the issue.
Common problems users encounter include audio, screen resolution, monitor display, connection and charging, among others. While some issues can be specific, these are just the common ones experienced by most users and their solutions.
How can I fix Windows 10 docking station issues?
- External monitors not working
- Audio and sound problems while docked
- Charging issues while docked
- Trouble connecting to docking station
- Docking station not recognized
- Fix Surface Dock issues
1. External monitors not working
This problem manifests when you have external monitors connected to a docking station, a portable computer running Windows 10, or you've attached your computer to a docking station.
In this case, the computer won't detect the external monitors so they display a black screen instead.
Make sure the monitors are detected by using the keyboard shortcut Win+Ctrl+Shift+B, and then in Display settings, click Detect button.
Solutions:
- Change Lid close action to any setting other than 'Do nothing', but ensure the change doesn't affect your docking experience
- Upgrade to the latest Windows 10 version that doesn't have the issue.
Having trouble updating your Windows? Check out this guide that will help you solve them in no time.
Also, don't forget to check the cables. Sometimes, faulty or broken cables may trigger these problems. Replacing them should fix the issue.
Your laptop won't detect the second monitor? Count on us to solve the problem.
2. Audio and sound problems while docked
If you're not able to hear audio while you're docked, check first for the following:
- Check that the latest Windows updates are installed
- Check if your speaker cables are securely connected to audio jacks on the back of the docking station and to the speakers
- Check if speakers are plugged into an power outlet and turned on
Solutions
There are various solutions you can use to fix the audio issue including:
- Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer. Here's how to do this:
- Right click Start
- Select Control Panel
- Go to View by option on the top right corner
- Click the drop down arrow and select Large icons
- Click Troubleshooting
- Click Hardware and Sound
- Click Configure a Device
- Click Next to run the troubleshooter
You can't open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.
Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues that may be causing the drag and drop problem.
If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this complete guide.
If you still can't hear audio while docked, try the next solution.
- Update the latest USB and audio drivers for Windows 10 drivers
How to install drivers:
- Right click Start
- Select Device Manager
- Locate Sound, Video and game controllers
- Click to expand the list
- Right click on Sound card
- Click Uninstall
- Download the latest audio driver set up file from the manufacturer's website
- Install the audio driver
Did you know that the majority of Windows 10 users have outdated drivers? Be a step ahead using this guide.
- Switch audio playback between the docking station and your speakers
Here's how to do this:
- Select the search box in the taskbar
- Type Manage Audio in search results and select Manage Audio devices
- Do one of the following to choose which speakers play audio:
- To play through the audio port on the docking station, select Speakers Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device
- To play through your computer's speakers, select Speakers 2 – High Definition Audio device or Speakers Realtek High Definition Audio
- Select Set Default and then press OK
Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
Click here to download and start repairing.
Most user don't know what to do when the Windows search box goes missing. Read this article to learn how you can get it back in just a couple of steps.
Manage your audio settings with Realtek HD Audio Manager. Get it now and learn how to use it from this handy guide!
3. Charging issues while docked
If you're experiencing charging problems, or your computer/device isn't charging while docked, then you need to check for the following:
- Check if your computer or device is securely seated in the docking station with both sides fully inserted into the sides of your computer/device
- Check if the light on the docking station is on
- Check if the power cable is securely inserted into the charging port on the docking station
- Check if the power outlet works properly
- If using a power strip, check if it is turned on
- If you have other accessories that draw power from the docking station, unplug them and check if the charging starts. If it works, connect the accessories to a powered USB hub plugged into a power outlet, then plug the hub into the docking station or your device.
4. Trouble connecting to docking station
If this is your situation, make sure that:
- Your computer or device is seated properly in the docking station. If one side is tilted out, open the docking station then reseat your device and push the sides in again
- Both sides of the docking station are pulled out before you try to insert your device
- You remove any attached accessories that keep the docking station sides from connecting with your device
- You're using the correct docking station for your device
Looking for the best docking stations available for you laptop? Check out this list with our best picks.
5. Docking station not recognized
If your docking station is not recognized, you can connect to AC power while undocked then try a two button reset by pressing and holding the power button on your device for 30 seconds, then after it turns off, press and hold the volume-up button and power button simultaneously for at least 15 seconds.
When the screen flashes the Windows logo, continue holding the buttons down for at least 15 seconds, release and wait for 10 seconds, then press and release the power button again to turn your device back on.
Solutions
- Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by doing the following:
- Right click Start
- Select Control Panel
- Go to View by option on the top right corner
- Click the drop down arrow and select Large icons
- Click Troubleshooting
- Click View All
- Click Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
- Click Next to run the troubleshooter
Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues that may be causing the drag and drop problem.
The troubleshooter fails to load with an error? Follow this useful guide and fix it in just a couple of simple steps.
If this doesn't help, then try the next solution.
- Uninstall the drivers for USB host controller
Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall USB host controller from Device manager:
- Right click Start
- Select Device Manager
- Find Universal Serial Bus controllers
- Right click on every device under the USB controllers node
- Click Uninstall to remove them one at a time
- Restart the computer for Windows to re-install the generic drivers automatically
- Plug in the removable USB device and docking station to ensure the issue is resolved
Windows can't automatically find and download new drivers? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
Did this help? If not, try the next solution.
- Update graphics card drivers
In order to update your graphics card drivers, do the following:
- Right click Start
- Select Device Manager
- Click Display adapters to expand it
- Right click on the graphics card driver and choose Update driver software
If you don't have any driver updates available, right click on the graphics card driver and click Uninstall, then restart your computer.
Want the latest GPU drivers? Bookmark this page and always stay updated with the latest and greatest.
6. Fix Surface Dock issues
Now, if this problem affects your Surface Dock device, you can fix it by downloading the Surface Updater tool first. Oftentimes, you can quickly solve Surface Dock issues by simply installing the latest updates.
If the problem persists, you can follow the troubleshooting steps available in our fix guide or on Microsoft's support page.
Do any of these solutions work to fix your Windows 10 docking station issues? Let us know in the comments section below. Also, leave there any questions you may have and we'll surely check them out.
RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:
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- The 17 best docking stations for your Windows 10 laptop
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How to Find Docking Station in Device Manager Windows 10
Source: https://windowsreport.com/windows-10-docking-station-issues/