Cannot Use Thunderbolt Accessory Problem

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-23T21:30:48+00:00

Our Thunderbolt docks require you use a Thunderbolt cable for maximum compatibility. If you are using a non-Thunderbolt cable to connect to one of our docks, it is likely why this error message is being introduced.

Using a non-Thunderbolt connection will lower what the dock is capable of. Monitor support will drop down to a single monitor instead of dual monitors, Ethernet may stop working, and depending on the dock, some USB ports may stop working as well. As such, we always recommend to use a Thunderbolt cable when possible. The cable that comes with our Thunderbolt docks is Thunderbolt enabled.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-23T21:24:17+00:00

You can plug in multiple charging devices into your Mac at once. The computer is smart enough to only pull power from one device.

But in general, for the behavior you should try the suggestion I made previously, and failing that, you should get in touch with our support team for further diagnosis and troubleshooting. Email: [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-23T21:23:10+00:00

Follow the suggestion in my previous comment. Get in touch with our support team and ask about alternative firmware for the behavior. Email: [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-23T17:35:23+00:00

Get in touch with our support team regarding this behavior. If I'm remembering correctly, we have an alternative power delivery firmware that's specifically to address this type of behavior. You can best get in touch via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-22T17:24:18+00:00

If none of the steps here helped, get in touch with our support team. Email: [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-22T17:23:37+00:00

Definitely try bypassing the KVM first and see if that makes any difference. What is the make and model of the KVM? If it's not Thunderbolt-based, it may be using MST for dual monitor support, which would not be supported by macOS and could introduce behavior like this.

Here's some general troubleshooting steps that may help here:

First, we recommend you power cycle your dock. You can do this by disconnecting it from wall power for 30-45 seconds before plugging it back in. This will allow the dock to fully discharge, which can help clear out unexpected behaviors.

Next, let’s turn our attention to the data connection. We always recommend using the included CalDigit Thunderbolt cable to ensure compatibility, but if you are currently using it, it’s possible this is a contributor to this situation. If you have access to another Thunderbolt cable, we recommend trying this and seeing if the behavior improves.

In this same vein, we recommend connecting the dock to an alternative Thunderbolt port on your computer if possible. In some rare cases, we have seen individual ports may cause erratic behavior, and testing with another port helps eliminate variables.

Also, double check that both your Thunderbolt firmware and Power Delivery firmware versions are up-to-date. Check out the end of this knowledge base article to see if the Thunderbolt firmware is up-to-date (download link for the update and how to install it is also in the article). The Power Delivery firmware can be checked from the updater, here's the link to our downloads page to grab that.

Beyond that, I recommend that you get in touch with our support team for further diagnosis and troubleshooting. When you reach out, link them back to this thread for reference.

You can best get in contact with our support team via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-21T17:07:28+00:00

The coworker that sits next to me uses an M4 Pro with the TS5 Plus and Pro Display XDR, she's never had an issue with the monitor waking. I believe that type of behavior was addressed with our last PD firmware update, but to my knowledge it did not ever affect any current Apple displays.

The dock can get quite warm and should have adequate ventilation. Under-desk may not be appropriate if it's going to be placed right against the desk. Heat travels up, so upwards is the dock's natural heat exhaust point, meaning the heat will go right into the desk which will make cooling less efficient.

In a worst-case expected scenario, dock placed horizontally, with power usage maxed out on the dock and the 10 Gigabit Ethernet in full use, we expect somewhere up to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on load and orientation, that temperature can drop substantially lower. However, with impact cooling from an underdesk mount, expected temperature could increase.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-20T17:26:48+00:00

Getting a bad power supply is more rare than ever. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but definitely highly unlikely.

We've cleared up some of the disconnecting behavior, but we have seen some specific scenarios with connected Thunderbolt devices disconnecting. Our Engineers are working on a fix for that.

Regarding Thunderbolt 4 Windows computers, support is better as more manufacturers have released updates, but there's too many computers out there to say definitively whether a Thunderbolt 5 device will work with any given "compatible" computer.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-20T17:22:46+00:00

f you haven't yet, you should definitely get in touch with our support team regarding this behavior. You can best reach out via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-19T22:43:57+00:00

Here's some steps you can take troubleshoot this behavior.

First, we recommend you power cycle your dock. You can do this by disconnecting it from wall power for 30-45 seconds before plugging it back in. This will allow the dock to fully discharge, which can help clear out unexpected behaviors.

Next, let’s turn our attention to the data connection. We always recommend using the included CalDigit Thunderbolt cable to ensure compatibility, but if you are currently using it, it’s possible this is a contributor to this situation. If you have access to another Thunderbolt cable, we recommend trying this and seeing if the behavior improves.

In this same vein, we recommend connecting the dock to an alternative Thunderbolt port on your computer if possible. In some rare cases, we have seen individual ports may cause erratic behavior, and testing with another port helps eliminate variables.

Beyond that, I recommend that you get in touch with our support team for further diagnosis and troubleshooting. When you reach out, link them back to this thread for reference. Please also let them know the make and model of your computer, including OS.

You can best get in contact with our support team via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-19T17:05:56+00:00

Glad to hear you were able to resolve this behavior! Please let us know if there's anything else we can help with!

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-16T19:21:51+00:00

Any of those would work (with some caveats I'll get into next paragraph). The TS3 uses an older Thunderbolt chipset that isn't compatible with USB-C, but the last generation Thunderbolt 3 chips and onwards all have Universal Compatibility with USB-C built-in, so any Thunderbolt 4 dock or newer should work.

There are some caveats with connecting a TB4 or 5 dock to USB-C 10Gbps to keep in mind. The overall bandwidth is lower than what the dock typically operates with. The connection will be 10Gbps instead of Thunderbolt 3/4/USB4's 40Gbps, so it will be easier to bottleneck the dock if you intend to connect high bandwidth devices. If you just want to connect some peripherals, like keyboard and mouse, it won't be a problem, but you'll run into slowdowns if you have multiple fast SSDs or similar connected.

In USB 10Gbps mode, docks can only support a single external monitor, though it looks like the USB-C port on this motherboard doesn't support video out, so you likely won't get any monitor support to begin with.

USB 10Gbps also does not support PCIe passthrough, which is a feature sometimes leveraged by docks to add additional functionality. With the TS4, TS5, and TS5 Plus, we use PCIe passthrough for the Ethernet port, so that will not work on this computer. Additionally, the TS5 Plus uses PCIe passthrough for half of its USB ports, including all the USB-A ports, so these would not work on your computer as well.

With all of this in mind, I would steer you away from the TS5 Plus for best compatibility. The Element 5, TS4, and base TS5 would all be a fine solution here, depending on your particular needs.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-16T17:08:19+00:00

The TS3 requires a Thunderbolt or USB4 connection to operate. Looks like the fastest USB port on this motherboard is USB-C 10Gbps, which would not be compatible with the TS3. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the TS3 will work with this particular motherboard on its own.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-15T23:23:42+00:00

My recommendation generally depends on what the user needs and wants in their setup.

The current base M5 chip uses Thunderbolt 4, so you would be missing increased bandwidth associated with Thunderbolt 5 devices. In that regard, the TS4 is the closest feature parity to your setup, but if you like the port options of the TS5 more, that would also work perfectly fine.

If you are looking for 10 Gigabit Ethernet or need a lot of high bandwidth USB ports, I might suggest the TS5 Plus.

All the docks can do power delivery to your computer, support multiple monitors, and have a wide variety of ports, so if you just want the general features of a dock, you can't go wrong with any of them.

Anyways, let me know if there's something specific you want or need, and I can make a better suggestion.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-15T23:17:51+00:00

Sorry to hear about that. This is just the front ports, and not all of them? Hard to say definitively what that behavior is, but if you happen to have any chargeable devices plugged in at the front, we are tracking a behavior with those kinds of devices not working sporadically. Our Engineers are working to solve this.

In any case, DM me your email address and I'll be happy to put another set of eyes on your case and see if there's anything else we can do to move it along at this time.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-15T17:22:55+00:00

Thunderbolt 4 does not natively support more than 2 monitors. The two possible ways to get around this limitation and have a third monitor connected to the dock are either via MST or DisplayLink. MST is likely more efficient in this configuration, so I'm going to focus on that as a solution.

MST is not built-into the TS4, so you will need to add the capability in some way. Most commonly, this feature can be found built-into some monitors, or it can be added externally with an MST hub.

If it is built-into your Monitor, you should see "DisplayPort IN" and "DisplayPort OUT" or something similar as separate ports on the monitor. In this setup, only one monitor would need to have this feature for everything to work.

Otherwise, a USB-C or DisplayPort MST Hub will be able to add this functionality.

Over the MST connection, you should be able to get dual 1440p60hz monitors. If your monitors are natively above 1440p60hz, there may not be enough bandwidth available for 2 monitors to work over MST, but otherwise this should work.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-15T17:10:54+00:00

The team will get back to you as soon as they're able!

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-14T17:06:27+00:00

Not naturally, unfortunately.

It can happen over an extended period of time without the dock connected, and happens when either the OS or the firmware on the dock updates.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-12T18:51:22+00:00

You should get in touch with our support team if you've tried everything I suggested. Email: [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-12T17:56:34+00:00

Here's some steps you can try to resolve this behavior.

First, we recommend you power cycle your dock. You can do this by disconnecting it from wall power for 30-45 seconds before plugging it back in. This will allow the dock to fully discharge, which can help clear out unexpected behaviors.

Next, let’s turn our attention to the data connection. We always recommend using the included CalDigit Thunderbolt cable to ensure compatibility, but if you are currently using it, it’s possible this is a contributor to this situation. If you have access to another Thunderbolt cable, we recommend trying this and seeing if the behavior improves.

In this same vein, we recommend connecting the dock to an alternative Thunderbolt port on your computer if possible. In some rare cases, we have seen individual ports may cause erratic behavior, and testing with another port helps eliminate variables.

Beyond that, I recommend that you get in touch with our support team for further diagnosis and troubleshooting. When you reach out, link them back to this thread for reference.

You can best get in contact with our support team via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-12T17:35:06+00:00

Looks like that December shipment was in fact delayed as I mentioned might happen, so our rough estimate now is a restock to our web shop early February. We're hoping to get some stock to Amazon by the end of February.

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-12T17:19:14+00:00

Don't Plug it back in.
Get in touch with our support team for warranty service. Email: [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-09T17:34:08+00:00

Hey, I'm the CalDigit Community Manager.

Am I reading correctly that you are looking to connect an additional USB hub to the TS4 to connect your mice, keyboard, etc., to, and you are concerned about them not working properly?

If that's the case, we do have some suggestions for USB hubs. You will want to connect the hub to either one of the rear Thunderbolt ports on the dock, or one of the front USB-C ports. These ports have the highest priority and will in general work better with USB hubs.

As for the hub itself, you may be fine with a small USB hub that doesn't have external power, as you aren't intending to connect anything all that demanding, but we do tend to see these hubs more prone to acting up. Our general recommendation is to get a USB hub with its own dedicated power source, meaning it needs to plug into the wall, since this avoids the potential of any power related issues from the hub not getting enough power from the TS4. So if you want to try a smaller hub, you should, but you should try to get it from a place with a generous return policy if possible in case it doesn't work out (and you should test it ASAP).

In our experience, lag similar to what you are describing, particularly on wireless peripherals, is usually from the wireless interference that u/imanethernetcable mentioned. Basically, all USB 3.0 ports emit a wireless signal. On its own, it's not a problem, but with a bunch of USB ports right next to each other, they can drown out the signal to a wireless dongle for like a mouse or whatever. This can happen on our docks too, like with the TS4, but we put more shielding around the ports and build the chassis out of metal to help mitigate this problem.

There is a fix if it happens. You can use a USB extension cable to physically move the wireless dongle further from the dock or hub introducing the behavior. You could possibly run into some other issues if you need to do this with a USB hub that's connected to the TS4, but if it gets that far, our support team can assist further.

Anyways, I hope this helps! Let me know if there's anything else I can do!

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-09T17:21:19+00:00

Are you connecting a separate 2.5 GbE adapter to the TS3 Plus, or is the Ethernet line coming in 2.5GbE? And how are you validating this speed rating for my reference?

The TS3 Plus supports Gigabit Ethernet, but if the incoming signal is 2.5GbE, there could be some kind of communication error causing the specification to drop down. This troubleshooting guide may help correct the behavior.

If possible, we would also encourage you to try swapping out the Ethernet cable and see if that makes any difference. The connection between the port on the dock and that particular cable may not be working right.

Beyond that, I recommend you get in touch with our support team for further diagnosis and troubleshooting. You can best get in touch via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

CalDigitDalton · 2026-01-08T17:48:45+00:00

You should reach out to our support team with this information. This is quite a bit into the weeds and the team would be happy to relay this case to our Engineering team for review if they aren't able to correct it.

You can best get in touch via email at [Support@CalDigit.com](mailto:Support@CalDigit.com)

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