New Surface Dock Does Not Work via mini displayport to HDMI & DVI

Anonymous
2015-10-27T17:18:04+00:00

The specific device I am referring to, is the new Surface Dock for Surface Pro 3/4 and Surface Book. I have described the issue here on Reddit, and a number of others are also experiencing the same problem. Basically, the new dock doesn't work when the monitor is connected using mini displayport to HDMI. The monitor is detected correctly and the correct resolution is set, but the screen remains black. In my case, I randomly get some image on the monitor, but it's compressed to one side of the screen and garbled. The mini displayport to HDMI adapter works properly when connected directly to the Surface, so the adapter itself is fine. If I instead connect the mini displayport to VGA adapter to the dock, the monitor displays correctly. I have tried using a straight mini displayport to DVI cable and the issue remains. Additionally, I have connected a Surface Pro 3 to the dock and experience the same issue.

So to summarize, the dock does not function correctly when using a mini displayport to HDMI adapter to connect the monitor, but does work with a mini displayport to VGA adapter. This problem is repeatable using both a Surface Book and Surface Pro 3.

Surface | Accessories | Surface Dock

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Anonymous
2015-10-29T17:45:57+00:00

I purchased an active mDP to HDMI adapter from Amazon (Plugable is the brand) and so far the external monitor is working correctly through the dock.

Moderator Edit (11/3/2015):  If you are using a passive MDP to DVI adapter and experiencing difficulties, you may need to switch to using an active adapter.

If you switched from a passive to active adapter and continue to experience difficulties using Surface Dock to display to external monitors please consider making some changes to your cabling: different lengths, different quality, different adapters, etc.  If adjusting your cabling fails to resolve please consider sharing the following:

  1. Make and model of external displays
  2. Make/model of adapters if present
  3. Make/model of cables

For more troubleshooting info and steps to confirm your Dock is updated, please view our Troubleshoot Surface Dock article.

Thank you,

Josh

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Anonymous
2017-05-22T09:18:50+00:00

Hi,

 We suggest that you contact our Surface Answer Desk team for further assistance or visit the nearest Microsoft Store if you are in the US. In case you're offshore, contact our Global Customer Service team.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-20T00:11:35+00:00

    I also got the November Update 1511, and continue to have the issue with the Surface Dock, but direct connect continues to appear to work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-19T05:16:09+00:00

    Looks good, but just to confirm you are not using the dock for both monitors correct? Your connecting the 2nd external monitor to the 1st external monitor?

    Unfortunately for me I want to actually use the dock as intended and in the manner it was marketed to customers and connect two monitors to it, but that does not work and has not worked since I bought the surface book and dock. I actually have 3 docks (2 at home and 1 and work) and all 3 do not work and behave the same. Just getting one monitor to be detected and extend to it is hit or miss. I usually have to unplug the display port cable from the dock and plug it back in multiple times to get it to work correctly. My surface book itself works fine and I do not have nearly as many issues as others have reported. The dock though has never worked as I would expect it to even after today's 11/18 firmware update and the Windows 10 November update. I really-really hope MS acknowledges the issue soon and is working on a fix.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-19T05:07:01+00:00

    Mike--I've wondered the same thing--only the Intel HD 520 shows up under the monitor properties.  Is there a way to trigger which card?

    On the Mac there is a utility that you can run to switch cards (https://gfx.io) but I'm not aware of something similar for Windows.

    • Gerry

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