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: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-22T01:43:27+00:00

    I have found that when I reinstall the latest Intel display driver from the MS Surface Book driver page, I can get all of my monitors to work again. I have two docks each with 2 monitors and over time, it seems that the Book/Dock gets confused and eventually only some/none of the monitors will work. A reinstall will make the dock re-recognize the monitors again until it doesn't a few days/weeks later and I restart the procedure.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-22T05:29:10+00:00

    Like many here: I have problem with monitors attached to Surface dock (on SB). Like your workaround of re-installing drivers ......

    I find that mine works every time (and behaves) AFTER a full power shutdown AND if I delay turning on the monitors until after I have reached the desktop on the SBook .... PROVIDED that I don't leave PC alone and it goes into power saving modes (even though I set sleep = NEVER). If I get a power saving mode then I have to do a full power shutdown and power up when all is again fine.

    Inconvenient but it works for me and may be simpler than re-installing drivers - give it a try...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-22T19:55:50+00:00

    Where is the Surface Book Driver download page?  I found the .zip (688.5mb) and the .msi (392.6) file but not separate driver files.  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49497 this is where I got the 2 large files.  Is there another place to get those?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments