AMD-based laptop not charging when using certain USB-C docks

Framework Laptop 16 Linux
1

Which Linux distro are you using?
Happens on a fedora 40 and also latest Ubuntu

Which release version?
Latest, updated last Saturday 21-09-2024

Which kernel are you using?
Linux fedora 6.10.10-200.fc40.x86_64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Sep 12 18:26:09 UTC 2024 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Which BIOS version are you using?

$ sudo dmidecode | grep -A3 'Vendor:\|Product:' && sudo lshw -C cpu | grep -A3 'product:\|vendor:' 
	Vendor: INSYDE Corp.
	Version: 03.03
	Release Date: 03/27/2024
	Address: 0xE0000
       product: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics
       vendor: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD]
       physical id: 4
       bus info: cpu@0
       version: 25.116.1

Which Framework Laptop 16 model are you using? (AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 7040 Series)
AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics
64GB RAM (Corsair out of the top of my head?)
2TB Sandisk Corp WD Black SN770

At the office, we have several USB-C docks and several Framework laptops. Some people do use the framework 13 intel edition (13th gen) and they can just sit anywhere, plug in a single USB-C cable from the dock and use screens + charge their laptop at the same time.

However, the AMD ones won’t charge via PD using the dock. I’m using the correct ports on the 16 (port 1 / port 4 and on the AMD 13 it will be port 1 / port 3) and if I connect the charger directly it will charge without issues on both ports.

There is however a single model that will charge the laptop: namely the Dell WD22TB4 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, however using the cheaper ones (such as HyperDrive units) it won’t do screen + charging at the same time.

Is this normal, a limitation of the AMD chipset maybe or perhaps something that will be fixed in a future BIOS release? I know there are two standard of USB-C hubs but I don’t know the inner workings of this, maybe it is due to this? I did search about this on the forums but haven’t been able to find much more information on the topic.

Any information on this will be appreciated.

1 Like
2

I have the same issue with certain chargers. My workaround is to connect it when it’s off, make sure it’s charging and turn it on. Then it will continue charging

3

It is probably related to this USB-C PD firmware issue that prohibits iPhone charging: USB C is not compatible with iPhone 15 / Pro / Pro Max - #85 by James3

I think Frameworks needs to contact their USB-C PD firmware programmer for a refund and hire someone more competent to rewrite the code. :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

4

That’s a bit extreme ain’t it?

I’m just asking so that I can know better which docks to buy and which ones to avoid, or perhaps even come up with a solution which would be the best case scenario.

Anyway, if there is anything I can do to help debug this, let me know!

5

Same issue there with a Framework 16 (AMD Ryzen 7040) and a USB-C dock I just received supposed to support PD pass-through (Targus DOCK412-A)…
I would also be interested in a fix or a way to assist !