Troubleshooting multiple monitors on a Surface Dock 2 (Surface Pro 7)

Anonymous
2020-08-24T04:46:23+00:00

I'm trying to connect a new Pro 7 to two external monitors (Acer) through the Surface Dock. I'm using two USB C to HDMI cables. 

The Surface can detect the monitors and assigns them numbers (2 and 3) but the screens remain black and no numbers (or other display) shows up.

If I disconnect one of the monitors, the other one immediately turns on. It's quite bizarre.

I have updated the driver, downloaded firmware updates, disconnected/reconnected everything, and generally done everything that it says on the support page. 

I would be grateful if someone could let me know what I need to do to fix this.

Surface | Accessories | Surface Dock

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-05T00:45:06+00:00

    I'm not sure if someone noticed or tried, TLDR past the first three pages, but the surface dock connector only works in one position connected to your device. When I initially bought my Surface Book 2 with the first 2nd gen surface dock, My external monitor was recognized in Windows 10, but it would never display an image until I turned the surface dock's connector in the direction that blocks the USB-C connector.

    Trust me I thought I was going crazy until I realized that was the only thing that I didn't try. Replacing monitor cables didn't do anything besides waste money. There's no Microsoft literature that I know of that will tell you this, either.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-04T14:00:02+00:00

    I found a solution (workaround?). The option of “extend to these displays” doesn’t show until I at at least one duplication of desktop in either of the two monitors. I have to do once or twice and then all of a sudden the option shows up. Once the option is there, my two monitors work perfect.

    No idea what is going on tbh but this is the only way it works for me.

    I have surface laptop 3 with dock 2; two acer monitors (same model), connected via HDMI with usb-c adaptor to the dock.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-04T13:49:01+00:00

    Just an update to say that I have applied all updates and this is still happening.

    Again, I upgraded to two (2) Dock 2's set up (home and work) with the expensive Microsoft adapters, and the glitching continues to happen in both places.  This is proving to be very challenging for working and I need to find a solution.  Never had this issue with the original dock.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-04-02T16:56:40+00:00

    I am having the same issue and I am @#!#! at the fact that Dock 2 is an expensive accessory and yet does not display to two monitors??!!

    I am reading correctly: Is this MS way to say that extending to two monitors ONLY works with their adapters?

    D.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-02-26T15:16:41+00:00

    I have the same issue. Surface Book 3 connecting to Dock 2, with HDMI cables going to two new monitors (HP and Asus) using the Microsoft USB-C adapters.

    After a certain period of time, one or both monitors inevitably glitch (or just go black), and I have to reboot in order to get things working again.

    Same setup at home and office, with same Surface Book being transferred and used in both locations. Same experience in both locations.

    Have been making continuous experimental changes trying to find solution (including purchasing 4 expensive Microsoft adapters) with no success.

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