Thunderbolt 4 Not Working on Alienware M18 R1

[invader]

Kernel: 6.8.0-52-generic
Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS
Hardware Model: Alienware M18 R1

The firmware is up to date in the firmware updater.

I want to use my new LaCie SSD Pro5 with the Thunderbolt 4 port on my Alienware M18 R1 laptop. The LaCie SSD Pro5 works perfectly with the same OS and same kernel on my Dell Latitude 9330 laptop, but on the Alienware M18 R1, it doesn't work. How is that possible?

The BIOS settings for Thunderbolt are identical on both laptops.

The SSD does not appear in Disks or under 'Settings > Privacy & Security > Thunderbolt' on the Alienware laptop.

When using the USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port on the Alienware, the SSD works, but much slower than with Thunderbolt 4.

I’m posting the information that ChatGPT asked for. Unfortunately, ChatGPT couldn't help me either.

If anyone could help me, I would be really grateful. I've searched extensively online but haven't found anything that helps.

```bash
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$ ls /sys/bus/thunderbolt/devices/
0-0 domain0
```

```bash
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$ boltctl list
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$
```

```bash
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$ sudo dmesg | grep -i thunderbolt
[sudo] password for yourusername:
[ 1.160772] ACPI: bus type thunderbolt registered
[ 5.841549] Modules linked in: usbhid r8152(+) mii hid_sensor_custom hid_sensor_hub intel_ishtp_hid hid_multitouch hid_generic crct10dif_pclmul crc32_pclmul polyval_clmulni polyval_generic ghash_clmulni_intel nvme intel_lpss_pci i2c_hid_acpi r8169 rtsx_pci_sdmmc ucsi_acpi sha256_ssse3 nvme_core intel_lpss intel_ish_ipc video xhci_pci typec_ucsi i2c_hid sha1_ssse3 psmouse realtek thunderbolt nvme_auth rtsx_pci idma64 intel_ishtp xhci_pci_renesas typec hid wmi pinctrl_alderlake aesni_intel crypto_simd cryptd
```

```bash
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$ lspci | grep -i thunderbolt
02:00.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 Bridge [Maple Ridge 4C 2020] (rev 02)
03:00.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 Bridge [Maple Ridge 4C 2020] (rev 02)
03:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 Bridge [Maple Ridge 4C 2020] (rev 02)
03:02.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 Bridge [Maple Ridge 4C 2020] (rev 02)
03:03.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 Bridge [Maple Ridge 4C 2020] (rev 02)
04:00.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 NHI [Maple Ridge 4C 2020]
38:00.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Thunderbolt 4 USB Controller [Maple Ridge 4C 2020]
```

And the following happens when I connect the SSD:

```bash
yourusername@yourusername-Alienware-m18-R1:~$ sudo dmesg -w
[ 4026.974282] usb 1-2: new full-speed USB device number 20 using xhci_hcd
[ 4027.103041] usb 1-2: New USB device found, idVendor=059f, idProduct=1130, bcdDevice= 0.01
[ 4027.103045] usb 1-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[ 4027.103046] usb 1-2: Product: Rugged SSD PRO5
[ 4027.103048] usb 1-2: Manufacturer: LaCie
[ 4027.103049] usb 1-2: SerialNumber: [REDACTED]
```

[Fikri_Intel]

Hi invader,

Thank you for contacting Intel.

We appreciate you reaching out to us regarding the reported issue. To further assist, kindly share with us more info below:

1- Is the issue related to the Thunderbolt 4 docking device?

2- What is the SSD model used?

3- Please confirm with us if the issue is related to RST/VRoC.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Fikri O.

[invader]

1. Yes

2. LACIE Rugged SSD Pro5

3. It is probably a driver issue and since Intel as far as I know makes the drivers for Thunderbolt 4 in the Linux Kernel I thought it would be a good idea to post it here. My Firmware Drivers are according to the Firmware Updater in Ubuntu all up-to-date.

[Simon-Intel]

Hi invader,

Thank you for your response.

As your issue related to Thunderbolt 4 Not Working on Alienware M18 R1. I kindly request you to contact OEM/Alienware for further support.

Best regards,

Simon

Intel Customer Support Technician

[invader]

Dell does not provide support for Ubuntu unfortunately

[Simon-Intel]

Hi Invader,

Thank you for reaching out. For any OS-related issues, we recommend contacting the OS support team directly. They will be better equipped to assist you.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Simon

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Fikri_Intel]

Hi invader,

Good day to you.

We kindly request that you reach out to Dell's support team or LaCie SSD Pro5 for further assistance regarding the Thunderbolt 4 port issue on the Alienware M18 R1.

Additionally, if the issue is related to driver compatibility, we recommend engaging the OS support team to verify and troubleshoot further.

We will be closing this forum case from our end. If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Regards,

FIkri O.