Apple Thunderbolt Display not Connecting to PowerExpand Elite

[bdphifer]

Trying to set up my new PowerExpand Elite. Wanted to connect my 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display to my 2020 MacBook Pro (Intel - Big Sur) and when I connect the Display to the Doc, using an Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 Connector, I get an error stating “Connect Accessory to a Thunderbolt Port on this Mac.” I have the Mac on the Power Thunderbolt slot and was trying to attach the display on the other thunderbolt slot, both on the back of the hub.

Is there a reason why this doesn’t work?

Thanks in advance!

[professor]

Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3

Implies your issue is the Thunderbolt 2 ? So you need a Thunderbolt 3 port on Mac to Thunderbolt 3 cable to hub, through another Thunderbolt 3 cable to the Thunderbolt 3 port on display?

The guru I see here on Mac and Thunderbolt is @dez_s

[ndalby]

@bdphifer Sounds like a compatibly issue of the adapter being used. I would suggest reaching out to support@anker.com with what you have tried and the spec of the cables / adapters being used so they can advise on any reported issues and possible workarounds known.

[bdphifer]

Thanks for responding!!

It turns out it seems the issue was with the cable I was using. When I bought the Display, the original Thunderbolt 2 cable was a bit frayed, so I didn’t use it. I used a ‘regular’ Thunderbolt 2 cable and an adapter to connect it directly to my MacBook.

For some reason, the PowerExpand Elite only wants to use the original cable (see picture to connect with the Display. I connected using that cable, and it works fine. I will do a temporary repair on the cable and will think about replacing it in the future.

Thanks again!

[ndalby]

Glad to hear your now working, Apple have some history with always favouring their own cables for compatibility.