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

2015-10-31T19:42:55+00:00

UPDATE

So I thought it was working, when I rebooted started having the same issue again!!!

So now I basically have to redo the steps I listed every time I turn off the surface.

MICROSOFT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

How does a Surface Pro 3 not work with your new Surface Dock??? Did you not test multiple monitors... ridiculous.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-11-01T06:57:07+00:00

Where am I going wrong? I have the equipment in the title. Using DP 1.2 cables to mini-display on the dock. I can get each one to work, but not at the same time. Please let me know this is a known issue with the new dock and there will be a quick fix soon? =)

They said it specifically supports two 4K monitors in the presentation from Microsoft. I have recently seen other posts with the same exact issue, so I sincerely hope MS has a firmware fix for this as soon as possible?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-11-01T15:56:35+00:00

I got it to work with 2 monitors briefly - each was a DVI --> HDMI. Works for a little while and then try to close the lid and it reverts back to not working again. I gave up. I may go to the MS Store today and will report back.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments