Audio static

Thunderbolt TBT4-UDZ
1

Have a dell XPS 14 (9440) connected to a TBT4-UDZ dock. I have two monitors and an external hard drive connected.

I have a pair of desktop speakers with a standard audio plug. If I plug directly into the laptop audio port I have no static issues. If I plug into the dock’s audio port there is a constant static when speakers are turned up to mid or high volume.

Not sure what to do. I’d prefer not having to plug audio cable into the laptop. Any ideas??

2

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Plugable support! Sorry to hear about this issue. I’d be more than happy to assist you.

To begin I have a few questions:

  1. I am not certain if you have any to test with, but I would be curious if you also notice the same kind of static through a headset/headphones when connected to the dock audio output, or if you only notice the problem through the speakers specifically. If unable to test this I of course do understand.

  2. Can you please let me know the brand and specific model number of (or a direct web link to) the speakers you are using? I ask because I would like to review the speaker’s specifications online.

  3. Has the audio static behavior been present since you first received the docking station? Or is this new behavior that only started occurring recently?

  4. When you are adjusting the volume, do you do this via the laptop in the OS software volume control? Or are you adjusting a physical volume knob on the speakers?

Please don’t hesitate to let us know of other questions.

Thanks again for contacting Plugable support and best wishes!

Joshua Henry

Senior Engineer | Product Owner
Plugable Technologies