Framework 16 (7040) won’t wake external displays from closed‑lid when docked (Dell SD25TB4, 4 monitors)

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Environment

  • Laptop: Framework 16 (Ryzen 7040)

  • OS: Windows 11 Pro (version 25H2)

  • Dock: Dell SD25TB4 (Thunderbolt 4)

  • Displays: 4x external monitors

Expected behavior
This setup worked fine with our previous Dell Precision laptops: I could plug into the dock in the morning with the lid closed and, after ~30 seconds, the monitors would wake and I could log in from the external keyboard/mouse.

Actual behavior
With the Framework 16, if I plug into the dock with the lid closed, nothing happens—no displays, no input response. Spamming keys/mouse on my external peripherals does nothing. The only way to get the external monitors to light is to open the lid until the Windows pre‑login screen appears, then close the lid. After that, everything works properly on the dock and all four monitors.

Repro steps

  1. System is asleep or off‑dock; lid closed.

  2. Plug the laptop into the Dell SD25TB4 dock that has my 4 monitors + peripherals.

  3. Wait 30–60 seconds.

  4. Result: nothing wakes—no displays, keyboard/mouse don’t wake the system.

  5. Open lid → once Windows pre‑login screen shows, close lid → now the external monitors come up and work normally.

What I’ve already tried

  • Waited 30–60 seconds after attaching the dock while lid is closed — no wake.

  • Pressed keys/moved mouse on external peripherals — no wake.

  • Undocked and used it as a normal laptop, then closed the lid for ~1 minute, connected to the dock — same behavior.

  • Confirmed that on Dell Precision laptops with the same dock/cables/monitors, the system wakes and shows displays from lid closed within ~30 seconds — works as expected there.

  • Changed behavior of what happens when lid is closed while plugged in to NOTHING - Same Behavior

  • Current workaround: open the lid until Windows pre‑login shows, then close the lid — external monitors light up and everything works.