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

Anonymous

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.

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

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:

Make and model of external displays
Make/model of adapters if present
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

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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.

0 comments

315 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-04-20T15:45:54+00:00

Still having no luck here. Using a VGA to MiniDP converter. Monitor sometimes shows up, and when it does, and I try to extend, it says display settings cannot be saved. Any thoughts? Anyone get this to work?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2016-04-20T15:28:43+00:00

After updating today things seem to be going well for me. Admittedly it's only been an hour or so, and attempts in the past have also seemed okay then crapped out later, but so far so good.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2016-04-20T15:24:36+00:00

I have had some success over the last two days where both my external monitors have remained functioning as expected and have not seen the video driver crash, or any other symptoms. I switched to 2 x USB to HDMI adapters to plug my external monitors into my Surface Dock. As recommended by a colleague I purchased StarTech USB32HDES Slim USB 3.0 to HDMI adapters. Not an inexpensive fix at $164.75 CDN from Newegg. The Slim adapters are apparently key. If you go this route make sure you download and install the latest adapter drivers from StarTech BEFORE plugging into you external monitors.

As I said two days of what I consider desirable behaviour. I have not had one day of success in the past several months, so this seems positive.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments