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
    2016-02-09T11:18:36+00:00

    I'm an IT specialist and I have a client who just spent a lot of money on brand new Surface 4's and these docking stations for everyone in the office, with the intention of being able to work with their dual external screens. I've just informed them that we got gamed by Microsoft and that until this mysterious and rumored firmware update arrives, they basically just bought everyone 230€ paperweights for their desks.

    This is a call out to Microsoft to get this issue solved rapidly. I've just read through this thread, the reddit thread, and several blogs on this subject. This whole story boils down to Microsoft selling a very dysfunctional little black brick for a very high price.

    Come on guys!!!! Seriously?!? What news? Timing? Will this ever get fixed or do we just take all these back to the store and demand a refund?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-09T11:53:03+00:00

    Perhaps this is a good alternative?

    Surface Pro 4 dock by eTauro.

    Anyone tried this yet?

    http://www.etauro.com/etauro\_dp/en/productdisplay/ducge4-package-ac-adapter-incleded

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-09T14:08:36+00:00

    Hi,

    Have you tried to reinstall the drivers that handle the Surface Dock?

    Open Device Manager -> Expand Firmware -> Right-click on System Aggregator Firmware and press uninstall -> Do not tick the box to uninstall the driver software -> Restart Surface Book

    Kind regards

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