Microsoft has published a new support document warning users about a mysterious bug affecting Windows 10, which causes devices connected to a Thunderbolt Dock to malfunction when resuming from sleep mode .
The new document, titled 'Devices connected through a Thunderbolt Dock stop working after the computer resumes from the S5 power state', details the symptoms and a solution to the bug affecting Windows 10 from version 1709 to version 1909.
According to Microsoft, there is a 5% failure rate for Windows 10 PCs connected to the Thunderbolt Dock after entering "S5" Soft Off mode.
The S5 is in a sleep mode state that implies a complete shutdown. However, in reality, the device is not turned off.
The error is most often found on a computer that has Fast Startup enabled and is connected to multiple components, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a USB connected to a Thunderbolt Dock port, which, in turn, is connected to the computer.
When the device is restored from S5, users may find that attached devices stop working even if they are in the “Device Manager” list.
Please note that the functionality of the devices cannot be restored by reconnecting the Thunderbolt Dock. Instead, you must restart the computer.
Specifically, Microsoft recommends:
- Connect the Thunderbolt Dock to the computer. This will list the devices connected to the Thunderbolt Dock.
- Press the power button to put the system into Soft Off (S5). Then turn off the display and uninstall the Thunderbolt Dock.
- Wait until the S5 process is complete, connect the Thunderbolt Dock, and then wait five seconds for it to go to sleep.
- Turn on the computer. Then check if the mouse, keyboard, and USB are working.
Microsoft has not provided an explanation for the cause of the error and we will probably never know the cause of this particular malfunction,
