B450 Gaming K4 USB-C 3.1 port issue

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   Hi everyone. First, thank you for such an active forum with a styling like a blast from the past  

My issue is the following:

I have a B450 Gaming K4 w/ an Ryzen 3600 for a few years now. Everything works flawless, except for the USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the back, which I never used until now.

Recently I got a Lenovo USB-C Dock Gen 2 (40AS) second hand for cheap, which works amazing with two of my laptops (Framework 13 w/ Intel Gen 11, Thinkpad X1 Gen11), connecting with Thunderbolt (USB Hub, Ethernet, Audio, Display without Problems).

To complete my hack-together KVM Switch I want to be able to connect the dock to my Desktop. Theoretically that should "just work". The dock seems to connect with USB 3.2 Gen2 (2x2? 2x1, idk). The advertised port on the Gaming K4 should be 3.1 Gen2 2x1 (which is the same as 3.2 Gen2 ... ya, USB is confusing ).

I tested both windows 10 and linux (Kernel 6.18), the result is the same: Only the USB Hub and Audio are recognized. No Ethernet is recognized. I do not expect Display Output to work, as the port is not advertised as DP-Alt Mode by ASRock, so no expectations there.

Unfortunately even the USB Hub functionality itself does not work without problems. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse connected to it, and both show massive lag spikes in use.

As the dock works w/o problems on both laptops, but not the mainboard, this is where I would suspect the problem.

I updated the BIOS to 10.43 but no prevail, no change. I've also not been able to find out what chipset ASRock uses for their USB port there, if there is any pcie lane sharing or whatelse going on maybe.

Any other tips I could try? Should there be any BIOS option to "active USB capabilities" that I could not find?

Thanks all in advance

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LeGreen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 hours 58 minutes ago Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote LeGreen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: B450 Gaming K4 USB-C 3.1 port issue Posted: 13 hours 21 minutes ago at 3:38am
	Hi everyone. First, thank you for such an active forum with a styling like a blast from the past My issue is the following: I have a B450 Gaming K4 w/ an Ryzen 3600 for a few years now. Everything works flawless, except for the USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the back, which I never used until now. Recently I got a Lenovo USB-C Dock Gen 2 (40AS) second hand for cheap, which works amazing with two of my laptops (Framework 13 w/ Intel Gen 11, Thinkpad X1 Gen11), connecting with Thunderbolt (USB Hub, Ethernet, Audio, Display without Problems). To complete my hack-together KVM Switch I want to be able to connect the dock to my Desktop. Theoretically that should "just work". The dock seems to connect with USB 3.2 Gen2 (2x2? 2x1, idk). The advertised port on the Gaming K4 should be 3.1 Gen2 2x1 (which is the same as 3.2 Gen2 ... ya, USB is confusing ). I tested both windows 10 and linux (Kernel 6.18), the result is the same: Only the USB Hub and Audio are recognized. No Ethernet is recognized. I do not expect Display Output to work, as the port is not advertised as DP-Alt Mode by ASRock, so no expectations there. Unfortunately even the USB Hub functionality itself does not work without problems. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse connected to it, and both show massive lag spikes in use. As the dock works w/o problems on both laptops, but not the mainboard, this is where I would suspect the problem. I updated the BIOS to 10.43 but no prevail, no change. I've also not been able to find out what chipset ASRock uses for their USB port there, if there is any pcie lane sharing or whatelse going on maybe. Any other tips I could try? Should there be any BIOS option to "active USB capabilities" that I could not find? Thanks all in advance

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 35033	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 hours 8 minutes ago at 4:51am
	An interesting issue. The 40AS dock is independently powered so it can't be a case of insufficient power through USB-C. The audio and hub working makes sense, these are very basic components. The latency on the input devices combined with the non-functional Ethernet has me suspicious of resource conflicts. A few quick things to troubleshoot: 1. Try with a different, short USB-C cabled. A lot of older gen USB-C ports don't like long cables, too much voltage drop and signal degradation. 2. If a shorter cable doesn't help, try a long one and move the dock as far from the system as possible to rule out signal interference from something inside the PC. 3. If you have not already, make sure you have disconnected all other USB devices from the system, this will rule out another device demanding a crucial resource that the dock needs. 4. Try a USB-C to USB-A cable and connect the dock to the USB 3.1 gen2 USB-A port and see if that makes a difference. 5. Try the USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and see if the Ethernet works on the slower ports. AFAIK ASRock uses Nuvoton Controllers for auxiliary USB ports (those not provided by the PCH). I suspect the USB-C and 3.1 gen2 both come from the auxiliary controller so it may be worth trying the 3.1 gen1 ports from the PCH. Hope this helps.


LeGreen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 hours 58 minutes ago Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote LeGreen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 hours 60 minutes ago at 5:59am
	Thx for your attention on this matter. 3. is ruled out already. 1. and 2. I would assert low probability (cable in use is already pretty short) but I can definitely try other, longer cables. I would still be really surprised, if interference would be the problem. What I think is more promising is trying the other ports/ lower speed ports! Now I need to organize an appropriate USB-A to C cable...