Problems with Thunderbolt eGPU via USB 4. Frequently disconnects.
Problems with Thunderbolt eGPU via USB 4. Frequently disconnects.
Hi, I’m facing problems with my eGPU enclosure (Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box 550). It powers on when connected to my laptop, but the enclosure often disconnects or reconnects with the fan turning up and the front light flashing unpredictably. The disconnections happen randomly. I’m trying to link the eGPU via USB 4, but the laptop supports PCIe tunneling as per Windows USB 4 guidelines. I managed to run some games and a stress test for a few minutes before the issue appears, but it can occur anytime regardless of load. I’ve used two cables—Thunderbolt 3 with the enclosure and a Spigen USB 4 cable—and both caused problems. I also switched power supplies without success. Testing on another laptop with Thunderbolt support worked fine, allowing Furmark to run for about 20-30 minutes. I’m planning to buy various Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 cables to check if the issue is with those, but I’d appreciate any other suggestions.
Download the Lenovo system update. It scans for missing firmwares and BIOS updates, including Thunderbolt support. You might find success with these. I use Lenovo at work, and sometimes display drivers come pre-installed but fail. I usually reinstall them for better stability. The Lenovo system update seems like a straightforward option to try first. It often bundles software fixes for known issues in specific OS versions. Verify your power profile settings on the laptop—set it to 100% CPU when connected and when using battery. Make sure USB/Thunderbolt sleep is turned off in the power plan. Also, consider replacing the cable you’re using; a new one could resolve the problem.