---
title: "Laptop Docking Station"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/10894836023/Laptop%20Docking%20Station"
format: markdown
---
A laptop docking station – also known as a dock – can be used to combine multiple cables into a single connection to your laptop. Docks range from simple USB hubs to large hubs that contain many different ports. 

> ✅ At UConn, standalone docking stations have been replaced by monitors with docking functionality built-in. If you plan on using a dock setup, ITS recommends using one of these monitors. To learn more, see [Connecting Dell Monitors to Computers](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/26013826103).

> ℹ️ This guide covers ThunderBolt docks. Both the laptop and dock must support the ThunderBolt protocol to benefit from this technology. Look for a **lightning bolt icon** on both the connector and laptop port to ensure the protocol is supported. If only one of the devices supports ThunderBolt, you will have varied results.

![image](media://ce79d11c-7e70-47ab-85fc-b3b75575dc78)

Your laptop dock may connect to your monitor(s), keyboard/mouse, ethernet, speakers, and USB flash drives while communicating with and charging your laptop using a single USB-C cable. 

Below is a diagram showing a conventional laptop-dock setup.

![image](media://f37304b1-6629-4e42-9036-7f57110155ad)

(See [Identifying Common Cables](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/IKB/pages/10894836055).)

## Troubleshooting

- If you are having trouble connecting your dock, if your monitors are not receiving an image, or if your laptop is not being charged, follow the steps below:
  - Double check that your dock has a lightning bolt icon as shown above.
  - Double check that your dock is connected to a laptop port that also has the lightning bolt icon.
  - If your laptop is not charging, ensure that your dock is plugged into a wall outlet. Otherwise, your laptop is using its own battery to power the dock.

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