WD19 fan failure with Vostro 15 5570

Question

hi,

I've bought a new vostro 5570 about a month ago, is has windows 10 with all the updated drivers (BIOS included).

About a week ago i've also bought a brand new WD19 docking station that waorked perfectly at the beginning but the suddenly it started to show an error message each time i restarts my laptop:

"Your dock fan has failed. You may experience reduced performance until your dock is serviced."

The funnt fact is that the dock seems to work perfectly and the fan also seems to work.

Any suggestions of what can i do to fix it?

Photo 4-6-20, 6 29 30 AM.jpg

DELL-Nat M · Answer

If you’ve recently encountered this issue, Dell strongly recommends performing Dock reset followed by updating your Windows Operating System and Dell drivers.

Dock Reset Procedure:

Remove the dock USB-C or Thunderbolt cable from the computer.
Unplug AC power from the dock.
Drain any remaining power to the dock by holding the power button for 30 seconds.
Plug AC power into the dock.
The dock LED on the power button should blink three (3) times.
Plug the dock USB-C or Thunderbolt cable back to the computer.

Windows Operating System and Dell driver updates:

Run Windows Update to ensure that the operating system is up to date.
Run SupportAssist (all models), or Dell Command | Update (Precision, XPS, and Latitude) or Dell Update (Vostro, Inspiron, and G-Series) to update the computer BIOS and Drivers for both the computer and dock. Drivers can also be manually downloaded and installed. These computer BIOS (the computer reboots when running the BIOS update), drivers, and the drivers for the dock can be downloaded from the Dell Support Website. (The USB Audio jack driver only applies to docks with 3.5 mm jacks.)
Update the dock firmware
- The dock must be connected to the computer during the update process to detect and install the dock firmware.
- Power cycle the dock once the firmware has been updated.
Completely turn off the computer, then turn the computer on (do not skip this step, this is essential to apply the changes)
Test the Docking Station to see if the issues are resolved.

If the error still exists, you might consider replacing the dock.

If you still need assistance, please contact support by clicking the ‘Get Help Now’ button located at the bottom right corner of the page. The button is marked with a help icon for easy recognition as per the picture below:

Soeft · Answer

Yep, the same effect on my Win10. Any idea how to fix this?

ManfredL · Answer

Same problem here with Dell Precision 5540 on WD19TB Thunderbold Dock. I'm running Windows 10, too.

It worked nicely from about Dec 2019 and the message started to appear in about April 2020. Here, too, it shows the message despite the very noticeable fact the fan of the docking station is running. Quite annoying.

mollyhs · Answer

Same issue. Exact same warning message. We have a Vostro 5490, a WD19, and after a Dell update, received this message. Called Dell to discuss, and even though this docking station has been working beautifully for 6 months, they said that docking station is not compatible with this laptop. Back when we bought the laptop, we struggled to find a decent docking station that would charge the laptop too. Couldn't find an official one, but needed this docking station for another laptop, so tried it on the Vostro first, and it worked great.

Very disappointed with Dell and hope the step up and undo whatever update it was that causes this warning message. If any of you have conquered it, please let us all know how.

Mitch96 · Answer

I have a Latitude 5400 with WD19 docking station and have had the same error now since 2 days ago on booting up the device. I found a user guide for the docking station and it says this:

"Why do the peripheral devices, which are connected to the dock station, become unresponsive after recovering from a power
loss?

Our Dell dock is designed to operate on AC power only and it does not support system power source back (powered by system
Type-C port). A power loss event will make all devices on the dock fail to work. Even when you restore the AC power, the dock
may still not function properly because the dock still needs to negotiate proper power contract with the system's Type-C port and
establish a system EC-to-dock-EC connection"

There was a loss of power in my office last week, the error message did not start straight away after this but perhaps this caused the issue. Please suggest a fix for this Dell.

MarkMessinger · Answer

I too am experiencing this message, for the WD19TB dock attached to my XPS13 9300. All diagnostics indicate there's no actual problem. Laptop BIOS is up to date and the latest firmware update has been applied to the dock.

So, no solution yet, 4 months after the first message in this thread was posted.

jocee2323 · Answer

I am having this issue now. Dell PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

24-Eleven · Answer

OK. My last attempt to post this reply failed with a big red error!

I have the same problem with the WD19 Docking station and my XPS13 9300. In spite of the BIOS error message, I do hear the fan from time to time - so it does appear to be working.

I also have an issue with the usb devices plugged in to the WD19. Occasionally, the repeatedly connect and disconnect in an endless loop until I get annoyed with them and just unplug them.

So, I have a docking station that prevents my laptop from booting up and does not support USB devices in a reliable way.

So not really a docking station then is it?

I am not sure why Dell have not recognised or responded to these issues - I will have to call them during their opening hours.

MarcialZO · Answer

Solved once if... I have the same problem with an XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 and a WD19TB station.
Screen Photo  Dock Fan PhotoI have resolved the message once:
1. Unplugging the doc fan with the usb-c of the laptop.
2. I have restarted the computer without the cable connected, of course without the error message ;-)
3. Then I turned off and plugged in the usb-c cable from the doc fan to the laptop. When I turned on, I no longer got the message.
USB-C

After a while it comes out again. I am trying to learn the pattern of this annoying and unsolved problem. Dell, solve it please!

lawyrup · Answer

Same exact issue here, right down the the USB disconnect/reconnect issue.

What I can say is that I have a 2nd identical dock at work and don't have an issue. This points the problem to a dock issue rather than software/firmware or the laptop itself.

knaumov · Answer

I have the same error displayed today on my Precision 5540.

I've followed the instruction to disconnect the dock from power and the laptop for several minutes. The dock's fan then started briefly for a self-check after connecting it to power and went off as usual. No error displayed for now. I'll keep an eye on it.

Vostro

WD19 fan failure with Vostro 15 5570

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