Working as Designed.


This is an Industrial limitation by Intel. The TB16 and TB18DC Thunderbolt docks contain 2 Thunderbolt controllers (Intel Alpine Ridge) and due to the security design it takes 10~15 seconds for the operating system to initialize the controllers. Depending on the quantities and type devices which are connected to TB16 dock, the delay to initializing all the devices may further increase.


Work-around/Solution

You can follow either workaround listed below to enable Thunderbolt Boot Support or set Security Level to "Security level – No security" in BIOS Setup to avoid the extra delay time.


Workaround 1:

  1. Reboot the system.
  2. Enter BIOS Setup by pressing F2 at early power-on or F12 then select "Enter BIOS Setup".
  3. Select System Configuration.
  4. Selection "USB/Thunderbolt Configuration".
  5. Check "Enable Thunderbolt Boot Support".
  6. Select Apply then Exit.

NOTE: Devices on TB16 or TB18DC will be automatically connected in OS if Thunderbolt Boot Support is enabled in BIOS Setup even though the Security Level is NOT setup to "Security level - NO Security". You won’t have a chance to approve or disapprove thunderbolt device connect 


Workaround 2:

  1. Reboot the system
  2. Enter BIOS Setup by pressing F2 at early power-on or F12 then select "Enter BIOS Setup".
  3. Select System Configuration
  4. Selection "USB/Thunderbolt Configuration"
  5. Set Security Level to "Security level – No Security".

Note: By default the Security level default setting in BIOS is "Security level – User Authorization". With Security level set to "Security level – User Authorization", users will be prompted to approve or disapprove a Thunderbolt device connection in OS like below page. Select "Connect Only Once" or "Always Connect" if you wish to connect your devices to your system.


Figure 1. - Thunderbolt Option selection in the BIOS


You will NOT be prompted to approve or disapprove a Thunderbolt device connection in OS. You will not be prompted to approve or disapprove a Thunderbolt device connection configured in this manner:

  • "Enable Thunderbolt Boot Support" is checked, or
  • Security level is set to "Security level- No Security", or

Security level is set to "Security level- DP only"