Thunderbolt 4 Dock - Bridge Not Connected

Question

Level 1

20 points

Thunderbolt 4 Dock - Bridge Not Connected

I have an M4 Mac mini. I've purchased a UGREEN Revodok Thunderbolt 4 docking station to extend to a second display (1080p, nothing fancy) plus add a bunch of ports.

It's connected using the supplied Thunderbolt 4 cable. It seems to mount USB drives, SD Cards and the ethernet connection works. However, I can't get it to connect to a second display using the Display Port out. When I look at settings>network, it says "Thunderbolt Bridge Not Connected". So a couple questions:

What's the Thunderbolt Bridge? And
Is there something I need to do to make it connect?

My previous 2018 Mac mini could drive the second display from a USB-C port 🤬 Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Mac mini

Posted on Dec 3, 2024 02:17 PM

Reply

Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

88,960 points

Dec 3, 2024 05:07 PM in response to FenTiger

The Thunderbolt Bridge or lack of that connection, has nothing to do with connecting to external displays.

If you can not see the display connected to the Dock, then test it connected directly to the Mac mini.

FWIW the M4 Mac mini can also drive a second display from it's Thunderbolt/USB-C port.

see > Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

and > Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

For DisplayPort support thru the Dock, I suggest that you reach out to UGREEN.

https://www.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-revodok-max-213-docking-station?

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 4, 2024 05:50 AM in response to FenTiger

FenTiger wrote:

...

Is the "Bridge Not Connected" message an issue in any other way?

Ignore that. Reason is that a Thunderbolt port can be configured as a dedicated full high speed TCP/IP network connection between computers. So, it has no use when connecting to a dock or any other device.

If you were to enable it, you could not use the Thunderbolt ports for anything else.

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

88,960 points

Dec 4, 2024 08:30 AM in response to FenTiger

FenTiger wrote:

Thanks for the response.

You're welcome.

I've successfully connected the second display via an apple USB-C>HDMI dongle that I usually use with my work MacBook.

Then that is what you should do with the second display.

I don't want that as a permanent solution, as I'd lose one of a meagre number of TB4 ports.

Why not? You can always use the Dock for additional ports to connect external drives, other devices and for charging.

I'm trying to figure out whether it's the dock that's an issue or the mini. This is the 2nd dock I've had (the previous one was also screwing up network traffic). Looks like it's the dock.

I've ruled out the DP>HDMI lead as it works with a Windoze gaming PC.

If the dock works fine as a hub for other USB and Thunderbolt devices?

Then it would seems that there is a problem with passing video thru that dock.

Is the "Bridge Not Connected" message an issue in any other way?

+1 to woodmeister50's reply.

In conclusion, if that UGREEN Dock doesn't do what you want?

Then return it and go with one of the Mac tested OWC docks.

https://www.owc.com/solutions/connectivity?subcategory=thunderbolt-docks-hubs

Reply

Answer 4

FenTiger Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 4, 2024 01:05 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the response. I've successfully connected the second display via an apple USB-C>HDMI dongle that I usually use with my work MacBook. I don't want that as a permanent solution, as I'd lose one of a meagre number of TB4 ports.

I'm trying to figure out whether it's the dock that's an issue or the mini. This is the 2nd dock I've had (the previous one was also screwing up network traffic). Looks like it's the dock. I've ruled out the DP>HDMI lead as it works with a Windoze gaming PC.

Is the "Bridge Not Connected" message an issue in any other way?

Reply