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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

315 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-04-19T22:29:23+00:00

    I haven't posted here in a while but I FINALLY got both monitors working through the dock.  I finally followed Michael_RB's advice to reinstall the Intel video driver.  When I tried several times in the past, the install process said I already had the most current driver.

    However, I FORCED the new driver I downloaded in the .zip file to install and now both monitors are working.  It's been a little over a week and they've continued to work. 

    HOWEVER, there are occasions when one or both don't come on--reattaching the tablet to the keyboard that's already attached to the dock, or coming out of sleep.  But I've been able to get both monitors back on sometimes through disconnecting one or both mini DP cables from the dock and reattaching them one at a time.  Sometimes through a restart.

    I'm going to follow Michael_RB's advice and force the reinstall of the Intel video driver again if the monitors fail.

    I'm one happy camper for the time being.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-04-19T03:19:59+00:00

    I am using a MDP to DP cable to connect to a 4k Dell P2415Q and a MDP to DVI cable to connect to a 1920x1200 HP ZR24w.

    Yes, both external monitors via the dock and the Surface Book screen will work at the same time. However, I typically shut the SB and its screen will turn off while the others stay on.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-18T23:32:07+00:00

    Michael - What display adaptors (MDP to HDMI or DVI?)  and monitors are you using?  Are you also displaying the Surface screen at the same time?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments