Lenovo docking station won't turn on monitors on boot

Question

I have a Lenovo X1 Extreme and Lenovo Thunderbolt docking station 40AN0230EU

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x/ThinkPad-X1-Extreme/p/22TP2TXX1E1

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd500252

When laptop is connected to the docking station it won't turn on the extra monitors on boot (which are connected directly to docking station).

I first need to open the laptop lid and log in and only then the extra monitors turn on.

This is a more technical question, but I hope someone could come to an idea what can I try to do so that the monitors turn on when the laptop boots to the login screen.

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Update: This seems only a problem under Ubuntu, windows users don't have any problems with this.

Answer 1

I assume the thunderbolt was authorized properly (if not, try doing so, for example http://juho.tykkala.fi/Lenovo-Thunderbolt-3-dock-Linux ) and your problem is that the monitor is not "recognized" on start up. Have you tried to change the monitor's settings from "auto" to the port hdmi/dp where the monitor is connected?

Another thing is how the nvidia driver is setup, for example - load the the kernel modules as early as possible: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/topic/1068925/linux/prime-render-offloading-not-working-on-my-arch-linux-on-a-lenovo-laptop-with-xfce-xorg/ ( search for MODULES= ).

Two years ago I had similar problem and back then the workaround I came with was (instructions are for Arch Linux, but it should be something similar):

Create monitor configuration for both internal (lcd panel) and external (monitor):

$ sudo vim /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-monitor.conf

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  "DP1"
    Option      "Primary" "true"
    Option  "PreferredMode" "3840x2160_60.00"
    Option  "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  "eDP1"
    Option      "LeftOf" "DP1"
    Option  "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Create an executable file, so xinit run it on startup:

$ sudo vim /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/90-display.sh

#!/bin/sh   
xrandr --output "eDP1" --off --output "DP1" --primary --auto
xrandr --output "eDP-1-1" --off --output "DP-1-1" --primary --auto

This will turn off the LCD panel. You can add explicit xrandr command to turn your external monitor "DP1" --on.

Let me know if you managed to solve your problem. Soon, I'll probably go though the same problem (X1 + 40AN0230EU + 4k monitor)