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Thunderbolt Is Not Showing Attached Devices: 5 Ways to Fix It
Rest assured that these solutions have been tested by our experts
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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High transfer rates might make Thunderbolts an excellent option for transferring data, but setting one up can present challenges, like the Thunderbolt not showing attached devices.
Although this issue is irritating, there are several quick fixes that people who have previously dealt with it have proven to work.
In this post, we’ll examine all the potential fixes that can let yourPC detect the devices connected to itby a Thunderbolt cable.
How do I approve the attached Thunderbolt devices?
You may notice a popup asking you to verify therecently connected devicewhen you connect a Thunderbolt device for the first time to a Windows PC that supports Thunderbolt:New Thunderbolt devices have been attached, reads a dialog window.
What can I do if Thunderbolt is not showing attached devices?
1. Check the device
Verify that the device is on and that the cords are attached. Ensure the power cable is plugged in if the device needs one.
Then, check that the Thunderbolt port has been thoroughly cleaned and is not damaged.
2. Enable Thunderbolt’s new connection configuration
Suppose the Thunderbolt new configuration option is not enabled. In that case, BIOS won’t let any new connections through the Thunderbolt cable since BIOS is in charge of identifying any newly connected device or gadget to the motherboard or PC.
3. Update Windows
Windows may block Thunderbolt connections because of security concerns.
To protect your computer from threats, you must install security updates. However, it’s also essential to fix any bugs in the Windows security software that prevent safe transfers.
4. Update Thunderbolt firmware
The Thunderbolt ports on your computer might require updates to work correctly. A firmware update is all your device needs to do for effective data transfers.
For further information, click the website link for the computer manufacturer above. Please contact your computer’s manufacturer directly if they are not mentioned to acquire the most recent information.
5. Update your motherboard BIOS or UEFI
In certain cases, updating the BIOS is required to fix bugs, enhance stability or performance, or allow the motherboard to support a Thunderbolt cable or other equipment.
Your computer can become useless if the BIOS upgrade encounters a problem. It may not be able to boot at all if there is a power outage or if the computer shuts down while upgrading. Although unlikely, it is nonetheless possible.
Does Thunderbolt need software?
Although you had to install a software program for Thunderbolt to work correctly in the early days, practically all devices now come with it preinstalled.
However, you still won’t be able toutilize a Thunderbolt devicewithout this program. Even though this necessary software is preinstalled, you may need to update it frequently to keep Thunderbolt’s data transfer rates stable.
The maximum data transmission speed of a Thunderbolt 3 connection is 40 gigabytes per second, which is double the speed of a USB-C cable.
However, you must use a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt connector and not a USB-C connection to get these data transfer speeds.
Most current laptopsand motherboards feature a thunderbolt connector, although certain models can still not support Thunderbolt.
It is worth noting that these modern laptops may experience problems like Thunderbolt not showing associated devices, which may be resolved using the solutions mentioned above.
In the comment section below, let us know if you were able to fix Thunderbolt not showing attached devices issue.
Farhad Pashaei
As a technophile, Farhad has spent the last decade getting hands-on experience with a variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, and so on. When he isn’t writing, you can bet he’s devouring information on products making their market foray, demonstrating his unquenchable thirst for technology.
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