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
    2015-11-19T04:38:40+00:00

    I just got my two Dell P2715Q 4K monitors delivered thanks to Amazon and have them both working successfully on my Surface Book.  I have the primary display connected to the Dock via the included display port(DP) cable and the secondary monitor is connected to the first monitor.  From within the monitor settings I have the primary monitor set to MST - Primary and then on the second monitor, it is set to MST - Secondary.

    The monitors are both running at 3840 x 2160 30Hz, and the pictures of both a stunning.  I would much prefer to see them driven both at 60Hz, but when I look at the display settings the monitors are only using the embedded Intel 520 video card instead of the dedicated GPU.  It would be nice if Microsoft updated the Surface Book with a settings or toggle that allowed you to select which video card you were using by default. 

    Here is how I have it set up now....

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-18T22:38:49+00:00

    Just installed system firmware update 11/18/2015 and cumulative update for win10 ver 1511, can confirm that my issues have not been resolved by either of these.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-18T21:11:08+00:00

    Having the same issue but I will add some and probably make this even more confusing and frustrating.

    Using two BenQ GL2460 1080p monitors, generic HDMI cables and generic mini-display to HDMI adapters. Only had one adapter for the last few days so wasn't aware of any issue until I connected the second monitor this morning. Initially worked fine, but couple hours into the day, both displays went black. The display settings on my surface book showed the two additional displays but they were greyed out and could not adjust anything. I rebooted, tried one at a time, etc. Early this afternoon I went to the Microsoft Store and explained everything...took my surface book and connected to one of their docks, added one monitor and it worked perfectly, added the second and it worked perfectly. ****?!?!?! Tried the two generic adapters I had on their dock and neither worked. So, I bought two Microsoft adapters (at $40 each) thinking this will solve the problem....but of course it did not...only one at a time will work. Cannot explain why it worked at the store and not at my desk... 

    Now, I remember running across a short thread somewhere about one HDMI and one DVI monitor working...so I gave that a shot. One monitor is running on HDMI, second monitor is running on DVI (using generic HDMI adapter and Apple DVI adapter) and it works...with a catch....if I disconnect the dock or reboot connected to the dock, the monitors won't work until I unplug them from the dock and plug them back in, one at a time. Needless to say, I will be back at the Microsoft store tonight to return the two adapters...

    Hopefully Microsoft can figure this out but certainly not going to hold my breath!!

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