Applies to: CalDigit TS4 with Windows laptops; exact host and monitor certification must come from the relevant suppliers.
What the product specification establishes
CalDigit documents different host compatibility conditions and display capabilities for its TS4. Its Thunderbolt display figures depend on the computer, and its 98 W host-charging specification is a ceiling rather than a measured value for your laptop. CalDigit: TS4 specifications and host requirements
Use the laptop’s exact machine type to find its own port specification. “USB-C”, “USB4” and “Thunderbolt” are useful evidence only when read with the functions and limitations attached to that specific port.
Build a four-line requirement record
| Requirement | Write this before connecting |
|---|---|
| Host link | Exact port capability and the cable supplied for the TS4 host connection. |
| Displays | Independent display count, each resolution and each refresh rate. |
| Power | Original laptop charger requirement and whether USB-C charging is supported. |
| Work peripherals | Required Ethernet, camera, storage and any IT restrictions. |
A maximum display mode in a laptop brochure is not a guarantee for two screens behind one dock. Treat the combined arrangement as a separate check.
A test that isolates the failure
- Connect the powered TS4 using its intended host cable. Leave nonessential peripherals disconnected.
- Test one display at a mode explicitly supported by both display and host.
- Add the second on a supported TS4 output; use Windows display settings to extend the desktop.
- If the combination fails, test each output independently without changing the monitor’s target mode.
- Add the camera, Ethernet and storage individually after video works. Record which addition changes the result.
Interpret partial success
Charging without video points you toward the host’s video capability and connection path; it does not prove that the dock is defective. Microsoft’s USB-C guide explains this feature mismatch. Microsoft: USB-C troubleshooting in Windows
If the dock works until a demanding application runs, compare battery behavior with the original charger. If only a meeting camera fails, follow the camera diagnostic. Avoid replacing the entire desk on the strength of one failed accessory test.
Sources & scope
These instructions combine published references with our proposed diagnostic sequence. This setup has not been physically tested by Connect Your Dock. Manufacturer documents can change; use the exact model and scope linked below.
How we assess evidence