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

I recently complained about this issue, but was able to resolve it by using new cables.  The problem lies with the use of any adapter with the cables.  So by using a USB-C to HDMI cable for one monitor and a USB-C to DVI cable for my second monitor, it works perfectly.  So now including my Surface Pro 7, I have 3 monitors to work with which is exactly what I was looking for.  All 3 monitors turn on as soon as I dock my Surface Pro 7 and turn it on.

Remember, don't use any adapters with your cables (Anker or whatever other brand).  Just use a single cables directly from the USB-C slot on the Dock 2 directly to whatever input your monitors may have - HDMI, DVI, USB-C, etc.

And there is no need to buy those $65 cables that Microsoft sells.  You can get good cables from Amazon for a fraction of that price.  Good luck!

Hello Nianton & all,

To date, i've had about 4 surface pro from several generations and they have always worked well with Gen 1 dock.   At home, i have  Gen 1 dock that  works fine with duo monitors via  mini display ports.  The USB-C on the Gen2 dock is what messes things up at the other home office.   What I'm doing now is to plug one monitor directly onto Surface pro's USB-C(that is always reliable), and  fuss with removing and reattaching  the connector cable on and off to get the 2nd monitor to wake up.   Wish Microsoft can fix the problem soon.    Very annoying!!!  

@Nianton, I will try your Project (Win-Key + P)  heck when I'm at the other home office next time.

Add another one to this list.  I have the EXACT same problem.

Surface Pro 7 (SP7)

2 external monitors: HP 27f & HP 27es

I have worked with MS Support and replaced the computer followed by the Surface Dock 2 (SD2).  This display problem has persisted since April 2020 when the purchase was made.

The current workaround is one monitor plugged into the SP7 USB-C and the other into the SD2.  If all three monitors don't fire up when the computer is turned on (typically the USB-c monitor fires up reliably), CTRL-START-SHFT-B (go figure) from anywhere between 1 and 10 times will bring up the SD2 monitor (all 3 are running).

Previously, with both monitors plugged into the SD2, the CTRL-START-SHFT-B sequence, between 1 and 30 times, would consistently bring all monitors up. 

Since there is a keyboard sequence to get all three working with a SP7 and SD2, this has to be a software problem.

Microsoft is apparently ignoring their software problem.

Looking forward to a report on a fix on this extremely frustrating issue, short of acquiring a different setup.

Take a look at Solution 6 (clearing the display cache) at
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/troubleshoot-connecting-surface-to-a-second-screen-bc8f5121-a4cb-cf0b-5770-2df7a66a3b28

Hi,

I recently purchased the Surface Dock 2 with my Surface Laptop 3 and same issues. Sometimes the second monitor does not come up. I have to powered cycle the Surface Dock 2 to get the second monitor to come up. Then sometime the Ethernet port is not recognize and again power cycling usually temporary fix the issue.

After some research I found this link below.

https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/U2419HC-daisy-chain-to-P2419HC-with-USB-type-C/td-p/7583379

Surface Laptop 3- > USB Type-c to Type-c  of P2419HC -> DP out -> U2419HC DP in

I no longer use the Surface Dock 2 - it's just not ready for commercial use. Using the setup from the link above works great.