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
    2016-03-13T20:15:03+00:00

    I've been having the same display problems as described here.  Sometimes I can get both external (identical Samsung S27C390) working, sometimes only one, and sometimes neither.  Even after getting lucky enough to boot to both monitors, if the SB goes to sleep it's random whether the monitors will work or not.

    MS sent me a new dock, same problem.

    Many hours on a chat and many hours on a live call result in the same performance.  MS is always polite, and despite the problems I LOVE my Surface Book, but I'd really like to stop wasting my billable time on this IT issue that should not be an issue.

    Please Microsoft, RESOLVE THIS ISSUE!!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T18:11:15+00:00

    My issues are with external hdmi monitors. I can get it to work, but upon idle it looses connection forcing multiple reboots.  I've also tried the beta build and updated video drivers to no avail.  Frustrating to say the least.

    Same problem here. I've resorted to setting "When plugged in" to "Never" in both "Screen" and "Sleep" and use a 3D Text Screen Saver (it does the best at reducing light on the display). Annoying but at least I don't have the hassles associated with getting my two monitors up again. Love the Surface Book but the dock is a POS.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T17:04:44+00:00

    I bet! Sorry to hear your frustrations, I hope Microsoft addresses this soon. I do know that some monitors aren't supported.  As for me, I'm using a mini-DisplayPort connection to dock, then dock power up to my SB or SP4, not having any issues, but I do not have same config as you do.  If you've tried with a different (new) dock, I would presume it is not going to work with the monitors you are using. Any one else have any troubleshooting steps?

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