Hey folks! I have an unusual issue and could really use your input. I'm running all my USB devices and two monitors through a Dell D6000 docking station connected via a single USB 3.0 port. My main monitor connects directly, but I switch between my personal and work computers with a push of a button. Recently, I've been experiencing disconnects with my USB devices and monitors during heavier workloads, like when I'm on a Discord call while using both monitors. I didn't have these issues when I was using Windows. Just to give you an idea of my setup, I have a mouse, keyboard, USB dongle for my headset, a USB microphone, webcam, and two monitors (one 1080p and one 2k). Right now, I'm using Pop!OS. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Check your docking station's power supply and compatibility with your devices. Make sure that the total power requirements for all connected devices don’t exceed what the dock can provide. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of not having enough power for everything you're running at once.
I have a similar setup with a Dell WD19 dock, and I face the same disconnects occasionally. I suspect it might be a quirk with the firmware and how it interacts with Linux. You might want to experiment with using the open Nvidia driver if you have an Nvidia GPU; it seemed to improve my situation a bit. It’s also worth noting that Windows handles these configurations differently.
Funny enough, I have a somewhat related issue. My USB WiFi stick drops connection under load, and I think it could be due to heat. Maybe that’s something to consider for your setup too? It’s weird, but the weather can affect performance as well!
Instead of relying solely on USB ports for your setup, have you thought about using KVM software? I control several machines with one keyboard and mouse through software like Barrier. It’s a great space saver and works across platforms, though it won’t give you separate displays per machine. Just an alternative to consider!
I did check the power requirements, and they’re all within limits. That’s why I’m turning to you all for help!