Need help?Do you have a question about the Dell DA305 and is the answer not in the manual?
Overview of the adapter's front ports and integrated USB-C cable.
Overview of the adapter's back ports.
Connect an external display or projector to the adapter.
Connect an Ethernet cable for network or internet access.
Connect peripherals like keyboards, mice, and storage devices.
Details on supported video outputs and resolutions.
Information on USB port power output and connection recommendations.
Supported operating systems and operating temperature.
Details on limited warranty and return policies for Dell products.
Steps to find support and contact Dell for assistance.
The Dell 6-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter DA305 is a versatile accessory designed to expand the connectivity options of your PC, offering a comprehensive solution for various peripheral connections and display outputs. This multiport adapter is ideal for users who need to connect multiple devices to their USB-C or Thunderbolt-enabled laptops, especially those with limited native ports.
The DA305 serves as a central hub, allowing you to connect a wide array of peripherals and external displays through a single USB-C connection to your PC. It integrates six different ports into a compact and portable design, making it a convenient tool for both office and on-the-go use.
At its core, the adapter facilitates video output to external monitors or projectors. It supports a single display output at a time, offering options for HDMI, DisplayPort, or a multi-function DisplayPort (MFDP) USB-C connection. This allows you to extend your desktop or mirror your display, enhancing productivity for tasks that benefit from a larger screen or multiple screens (though only one external display is supported by the adapter itself). The video output capabilities are designed to handle high resolutions, ensuring crisp and clear visuals for presentations, media consumption, or detailed work.
Beyond video, the DA305 provides robust data connectivity. It includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) USB-A ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) USB-C port. These high-speed USB ports are crucial for connecting external storage devices like SSDs or HDDs, flash drives, keyboards, mice, and other USB peripherals, enabling fast data transfer and efficient workflow. The inclusion of both USB-A and USB-C data ports ensures compatibility with a broad range of modern and legacy devices.
For network connectivity, the adapter features a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port. This is particularly useful for laptops that lack a built-in Ethernet port, providing a stable and fast wired internet connection, which is often more reliable and secure than Wi-Fi, especially in corporate environments or for large file transfers.
A significant feature of the DA305 is its power delivery pass-through capability. When connected to a Thunderbolt or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) port on your PC, the adapter can pass through up to 90W of power. This means you can charge your laptop through the adapter while simultaneously using its other ports. Power can be supplied either by a USB-C power adapter or a USB-C monitor with power delivery functionality. This eliminates the need for a separate charger for your laptop, streamlining your setup and reducing cable clutter. The adapter intelligently manages power, reserving 15W for its own operation, so your system receives slightly less power than the input, which might result in slower charging or a charging message/icon on your PC.
The DA305 also supports Fast Role Swap (FRS) on its display and Ethernet ports. This feature ensures that if the USB-C power adapter or USB-C monitor providing power to the DA305 is disconnected, the adapter will instantly switch its power source to the connected PC without interrupting the functionality of the display or Ethernet connection. It's important to note that FRS is only functional if the connected PC also supports it, and the USB data ports do not support FRS.
The design of the DA305 emphasizes portability and ease of use. It features a unique retractable USB-C cable that wraps around the adapter's body. To use the adapter, you simply hold the bottom section and turn the top section to release the USB-C cable. This integrated cable design means you don't have to carry an extra cable, reducing the chances of misplacing it and keeping the adapter compact for travel.
Connecting the adapter is straightforward: plug its USB-C cable into your PC's Thunderbolt or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) port. Once connected, you can then attach your external display, Ethernet cable, and various USB peripherals to the available ports on the DA305. The adapter is designed for plug-and-play functionality, typically requiring no additional drivers for basic operation on supported operating systems like Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Ubuntu, and RHEL.
For optimal performance, especially with power delivery and display resolution, it's recommended to ensure your PC's BIOS, graphic drivers, audio drivers, and Thunderbolt firmware (if applicable) are up to date. This helps in resolving potential issues like video performance problems, monitor detection failures, or distorted displays.
When connecting power-hungry peripherals like external SSDs, HDDs, or optical drives, it's important to consider the power budget. If the DA305 is connected to a lower-wattage USB-C port on your PC without power delivery pass-through, or if you're connecting multiple high-power devices, it might be necessary to connect some peripherals directly to your PC or use the DA305 with a power delivery source to ensure stable operation and prevent "Power Surge" messages. The adapter's power distribution to downstream USB ports varies depending on whether it's connected to a 7.5W PC, a 15W PC, or a USB-C power adapter/monitor.
The DA305 is designed to support a single external display at any given time. If you connect multiple displays to its video output ports (HDMI, DisplayPort, MFDP USB-C), only one will be active. This is an important consideration for users who require a multi-monitor setup, as the adapter itself will not facilitate it.
The DA305 is a low-maintenance device. Its robust construction and integrated cable design contribute to its durability, making it suitable for regular travel and use.
To ensure continued optimal performance, keeping your PC's software up to date is the primary maintenance step. This includes updating the BIOS, graphic drivers, and any relevant firmware (like Thunderbolt firmware) for your computer. Dell provides support resources and drivers on its website, which should be checked periodically for updates specific to your system and the DA305. Firmware updates for the DA305 itself may also be available from Dell, and these should be applied when recommended to improve compatibility, performance, or address specific issues.
Troubleshooting common issues often involves simple checks:
The DA305 does not support certain advanced features like MAC address pass-through, Wake-On-LAN, or PXE boot. Users relying on these features for network management or remote deployment should be aware of this limitation.
In summary, the Dell 6-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter DA305 is a practical and efficient solution for expanding the connectivity of modern laptops, offering essential ports for display, data, network, and power delivery in a user-friendly and portable package. Regular software updates for your PC and occasional checks for DA305 firmware updates will help ensure its reliable operation.
General| Microphone in | No |
|---|---|
| USB 2.0 ports quantity | 0 |
| Connectivity technology | Wired |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-A ports quantity | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-C ports quantity | 1 |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN data rates | 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s |
| Product color | Silver |
| Brand compatibility | Dell |
| Maximum digital resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Power supply | 90 W |
| Power cable length | 0.12 m |
| Windows operating systems supported | Windows 10, Windows 10 Education, Windows 10 Education x64, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Home x64, Windows 10 IOT Core, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 10 x64, Windows 11 |
| Quantity per pack | 1 pc(s) |
| Harmonized System (HS) code | 84733020 |
Weight and Dimensions| Depth | 69.8 mm |
|---|---|
| Height | 24.5 mm |
| Weight | 83.9 g |
To Next Page
