TB3 external nvme ssd enclosure freezes computer

Hello, first post here. I'm new to Win11, just updated last week from 10 pro. My problem is whenever I plug in TB3 cable attached to my highpoint nvme ssd enclosure, the computer locks up and becomes unresponsive. When I unplug cable, it comes back to life. On the previous Win 10pro build, everything worked fine. I updated with all extrenal devices unplugged as per upgrade info. So I have a caldigit TB3 dock inbetween the computer and nvme enclosure. When enclosure is unplugged from dock, all is well and everything shows up in TB utility. The problem is when I plug in the nvme enclosure, it freezes. When I unplug it, back to normal. This is unacceptable as I have many games on nvme enclosure and need them. Before I roll back to Win 10pro is there any advice on things to try to fix this in Win 11. I like the interface and I would rather make this work. Thanks in advance!- Paul

Welcome to Eleven Forums, psideburns.

It is a shame to hear this is happening on your Win 11, especially as you report it was working well on windows 10.

To help us assist you, can you confirm if the issue occurs :

1) when the NVMe device is plugged in at cold boot, or
2) when it is plugged in when the OS is running?

I suppose that Caldigit support puts you off with something like "Windows 11 is unsupported until it is released".

Right?

iko22 said:

Welcome to Eleven Forums, psideburns.

It is a shame to hear this is happening on your Win 11, especially as you report it was working well on windows 10.

To help us assist you, can you confirm if the issue occurs :

1) when the NVMe device is plugged in at cold boot, or
2) when it is plugged in when the OS is running?

Click to expand...

Yes of course. It happens only when OS is running that I can observe system lockup and with unplugging, immeadiate restore of control to system. Almost like a screenshot mode that unfreezes when you unplug it. On system startup it fails and freezes during the circular dots indicator of windowsstart screen, never progresses during boot process. It fails at that point and needs a force power to restart if nvme is unplugged of course. You know, its funny but I tried to upgrtade the first time with every device plugged in had same startup effect. Then I read the reccomendations to unplug devices and it went thru at that point. I didnt make the connection until just now...

bobkn said:

I suppose that Caldigit support puts you off with something like "Windows 11 is unsupported until it is released".

Right?

Click to expand...

Well yes, but there is no operational problem with just the caldigit dock connected thru TB3 cable with win11. System functions normally, only when I plug in the external nvme enclosure from Highpoint- RocketStor 6661A- basically an external PCIE x3 nvme drive which connects with TB3 cable. Thats when the system locks up. Definately a problem with Win11 as this very setup worked flawlessly with Win10 pro. Hope I dont have to downgrade as I have over 7TB of games I dont want to have to reinstall. Particularily with Epic Game launcher as there is no workaround to get library noticed if you install new OS. Its a flaw with them as Ive researched a fix to no avail online...

psideburns said:

Well yes, but there is no operational problem with just the caldigit dock connected thru TB3 cable with win11. System functions normally, only when I plug in the external nvme enclosure from Highpoint- RocketStor 6661A- basically an external PCIE x3 nvme drive which connects with TB3 cable. Thats when the system locks up. Definately a problem with Win11 as this very setup worked flawlessly with Win10 pro. Hope I dont have to downgrade as I have over 7TB of games I dont want to have to reinstall. Particularily with Epic Game launcher as there is no workaround to get library noticed if you install new OS. Its a flaw with them as Ive researched a fix to no avail online...

Click to expand...

I spent alot of time and money to get fast large nvme external storage just for gaming and digital photography.

psideburns said:

Well yes, but there is no operational problem with just the caldigit dock connected thru TB3 cable with win11. System functions normally, only when I plug in the external nvme enclosure from Highpoint- RocketStor 6661A- basically an external PCIE x3 nvme drive which connects with TB3 cable. Thats when the system locks up. Definately a problem with Win11 as this very setup worked flawlessly with Win10 pro. Hope I dont have to downgrade as I have over 7TB of games I dont want to have to reinstall. Particularily with Epic Game launcher as there is no workaround to get library noticed if you install new OS. Its a flaw with them as Ive researched a fix to no avail online...

Click to expand...

Here is a screenshot of the windows thunderbolt utility running and reading the dock normally in Win11 as proof it functions.

Can you directly connect the drive to the PC?

(I'm rather hazy on the compatibility between USB-C and Thunderbolt devices.)

bobkn said:

Can you directly connect the drive to the PC?

(I'm rather hazy on the compatibility between USB-C and Thunderbolt devices.)

Click to expand...

I will try that when I get home tonight. Any other thoughts?
Has anyone heard of any incompatablity between TB3 external enclosure or ssd hard drives by way of TB3 and Win11?

Only thing I can think of is that Windows might have replaced a dedicated USB 3 driver for your system with a generic one from Windows Update. Might be something to take a look at.

psideburns said:

Yes of course. It happens only when OS is running that I can observe system lockup and with unplugging, immeadiate restore of control to system. Almost like a screenshot mode that unfreezes when you unplug it. On system startup it fails and freezes during the circular dots indicator of windowsstart screen, never progresses during boot process. It fails at that point and needs a force power to restart if nvme is unplugged of course. You know, its funny but I tried to upgrtade the first time with every device plugged in had same startup effect. Then I read the reccomendations to unplug devices and it went thru at that point. I didnt make the connection until just now...

Click to expand...

psideburns said:

Well yes, but there is no operational problem with just the caldigit dock connected thru TB3 cable with win11. System functions normally, only when I plug in the external nvme enclosure from Highpoint- RocketStor 6661A- basically an external PCIE x3 nvme drive which connects with TB3 cable. Thats when the system locks up. Definately a problem with Win11 as this very setup worked flawlessly with Win10 pro. Hope I dont have to downgrade as I have over 7TB of games I dont want to have to reinstall. Particularily with Epic Game launcher as there is no workaround to get library noticed if you install new OS. Its a flaw with them as Ive researched a fix to no avail online...

Click to expand...

Had you checked the CalDigit website for a firmware update for your device?

Other thing is the NVMe drive formatted to contain any system files?

And finally, do you have Fast Startup enabled on Windows 11?

iko22 said:

Had you checked the CalDigit website for a firmware update for your device?

Other thing is the NVMe drive formatted to contain any system files?

And finally, do you have Fast Startup enabled on Windows 11?

Click to expand...

Yes just updated firmware on caldigit to v44, nvme drives were formatted to contain any file type, they work flawlessly with 10pro and finally, fast startup was checked. I just unchecked it...
Also I ran the thunderbolt driver also again and updated thunderbolt control center from MS store. It registers caldigit...

See if there is any improvement in stability with fast startup switched off.

iko22 said:

See if there is any improvement in stability with fast startup switched off.

Click to expand...

I will do that tonight, life gave me some reasons to not mess with this problem for a few days but I am back on it. Thnk you for all advice sos far. More to come tonight!

try plug direct to the MB I had one the other day using enclosure after direct it worked fine

I have this problem on an Asrock Deskmini 310 running pre-release build 22458. I also have a similar problem with a built in card reader on a Samsung Book 12. A Gigabyte Brix N4000 is the only Windows 11 one that can mount these devices correctly.

Where did you fund the TB Control Center app on the MS Store? I can't locate it? Also, what driver version are you using for TB? Thanks.

This thread has drifted slightly off topic but the problem reported by the original poster has been fixed in a later release of Windows 11

OK, but other problems with the TB driver under Windows 11 remain:

I am using Intel driver version 1.41.1193.0 and while I can get the drive to install, Device Manager shows "Device not started (nhi)" in the events log. I also have the issue of my monitor (connected via TB cable) blinks off and on continuously after the PC wakes from sleep. Only a reboot stops this.

roadster said:

This thread has drifted slightly off topic but the problem reported by the original poster has been fixed in a later release of Windows 11

Click to expand...

And where is this solution- as to this day it still locks up my machine when I plug in the enclosure. I currently have latest version of win11 installed and still same problem.