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August 12th, 2025 07:28
Pro 14 Premium PA14250, SD25TB4, Ethernet problems
We are running Dell Pro Premium 14 with the new smart docks SD25TB4 and the docking connection via Ethernet is faulty, sometimes missing on startup and sometimes switching off in the middle of a workday. Usually disconnecting and re-connecting the docking station helps to solve the problem. What makes me wonder is, that both the Laptop and the dock seem to use the same LAN-Chip Intel I226. However, our Dell were ordered without the RJ45, so there ist no connection on the Laptop itself. The difference with connections via older docks is that with the older docks via Realtek-chip the Chip shows up in the manager separately while with the SD25TB only one Intel I226 shows up. For me it seems as if the two I226-settings disturb each other.
What I have done so far, retrying after each step:
>> New drivers and BIOS for Laptop and docking (of course this is the first step)
>> Especially new ethernet drivers for onboard and docking (latter one working over PCIe via USB/Thunderbolt).
>> disable ethernet UEFI in BIOS of the Laptop.
>> re-checking with older docks WD19TB and WD22TB4 = ethernet works flawless (Realtek driver).
>> trying the tweaks mentioned in other forums to reduce the speed of the ethernet adapter in the settings from auto-negotiate to 1GBit/s or 100MBit/s.
So far no change in behaviour of the laptop, still dropping connections after some time (driver e2fnexpress shows loosing connections in the windows logs).
Any suggestions or reports of similar problems?
Florian
FloFel
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August 25th, 2025 20:04
I tried to initiate a second replacement of the SD25TB4 (the packaging was open when the first dock was delivered) via the customer portal, but this did not work. It took several days for the returns support contact to reject my request for a second dock replacement and refer me to technical support.
I have just seen that there is a firmware update version 01.01.05 (DellDockFirmwarePackage_WD19_WD22_HD22_WD25_SD25_01.01.05.exe). According to the description, the update includes ‘Improved the stability of the Thunderbolt, USB, DisplayPort, and Ethernet ports of the dock.’. A new Intel PICe Dock Ethernet Controller Driver was also available via Dell Command Update. I am now testing these to see if they resolve the issues.
FloFel
FloFel
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August 16th, 2025 18:52
Hello, I have a very similar problem with a Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250 and an SD25TB4 dock.
Since installing firmware 01.01.04.01 (DellDockFirmwarePackage_WD19_WD22_HD22_WD25_SD25_01.01.04.exe) on the SD25TB4, the Intel Ethernet adapter often appears as an unconnected (hidden) device in the Win11 device manager, while the Realtek Ethernet adapter appears as connected, and then vice versa. My specific problem is that I need the Intel Ethernet adapter because only then does the connection work via Intel AMT (e.g. via MeshCommander). The Intel adapter often does not get an IP address or is disabled as described above.
Unfortunately, i found no downgrade option on the SD24TB4 dock, so I could only reinstall the same update 01.01.04.01 using the /f switch (which took a very long time) and it did not improve the situation. Even a 30-second reset with the power and other connections disconnected (with the LED flashing three times after reconnecting the power) was unsuccessful. The Update on Disconnect (/f /uod) with the same version 01.01.04.01 also did not help. It is extremely frustrating, as I depend on stable docks.
But it seems to be clearly the firmware in my case. The same Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250 works perfectly on another SD25TB4 with the firmware versions shown (Current Version) in the screenshot.
FloFel
(edited)
Florian Eck
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August 18th, 2025 09:08
Thank you for your feedback and confirmation, that there are connection problems with the dock lan adapter. Did you open a case with DELL?
Kind regards, Florian
FloFel
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August 29th, 2025 10:49
So, the update fixed the problem with the Realtek network adapter, which was undesirable in my case. Now only the Intel Ethernet adapter, which is important to me, is available, but unfortunately these problems still exist: The laptop no longer receives a LAN connection when it reboots or when the USB-C TB4 cable is unplugged and plugged back in during operation.
I have now called technical support. The employee quickly confirmed that the problem was limited to the dock, as it does not occur with the second functioning dock. A replacement delivery has been initiated.
I also installed the firmware update package DellDockFirmwarePackage_WD19_WD22_HD22_WD25_SD25_01.01.05.exe on the functioning dock. Everything worked perfectly both before and after the update on the functioning dock.
Best regards
FloFel
(edited)
Florian Eck
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August 29th, 2025 16:08
@FloFel, the Driver and BIOS updates didn't make a difference with us. Especially after boot and login the Ethernet is disabled and I have to disconnect and reconnect the SD25TB4 to re-enable Ethernet. Afterwards usually the ethernet keeps working.
FE
Florian Eck
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September 9th, 2025 09:53
Since the driver updates didn't work out for us, our temporary workaround is that we connect LAN to a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter with Realtek-Chipset via USB-port on the docking station. The adapter costs 10 EUR and so far works flawlessly without disconnections. However we will look into the problem regularly to see if the Intel-drivers are updated.
Florian Eck