KVM switch

Anonymous
2024-11-19T10:13:38+00:00

I recently bought 2 monitors with integrated KVM switches. I plan on using it with a PC I built myself, and a Microsoft Surface Studio 2 I bought for school purposes. I have left monitor with a DP cable to the PC and my right monitor with both DP and USB to the PC. My mouse and keyboard are connected to the right monitor.

The problem is, when I connect my Surface to the monitor using a USB-C cable I had in my house and press the KVM button, the screen switches to like the "searching for input" mode, the mouse and keyboard restart and are usable on the Surface, but after a few seconds the monitor reverts back to the PC input, not having shown any video and the keyboard and mouse only worked for those few seconds. I tried both USB-C ports on my Surface.

Am I missing something? Or is my USB-C cable not "powerful" enough to transport all three K, V and M? Hopefully someone can help me out!

Surface | Surface Studio | USB-C

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-11-20T08:09:33+00:00

    Hi NathanNSC,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    It sounds like the USB-C cable you're using might not support the required specifications for proper video, data, and power transfer, which are necessary for the KVM functionality.

    • USB-C Cable Compatibility: Cable Type: Not all USB-C cables support video output or data transfer for peripherals like keyboards and mice. Ensure your USB-C cable is rated for DisplayPort Alt Mode and supports USB data for KVM functionality. For optimal performance with Surface products, using USB4/Thunderbolt™ 4 certified cables is advised.
    • Test Each Input Separately: Try connecting the Surface to the USB-C input without involving the KVM switch to see if it can output video properly. If it works, the KVM switch might not handle the input properly.
    • Resolution and Refresh Rate Settings: Sometimes, the Surface might default to a resolution or refresh rate that the monitor can't handle. You can try connecting directly to the monitor first to set a compatible resolution. Once set, reconnect via USB-C and see if it helps.

    If after trying these steps you're still experiencing issues, consider reaching out to the manufacturer of your KVM switch/monitors for more specialized assistance. It could be that there’s an inherent compatibility issue among the devices involved.

    Your Sincerely

    Hahn. W - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-20T13:48:52+00:00

    Thank you for your advice! I ordered a USB4 cable and it should arrive tomorrow. Hope that it works!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-11-20T15:10:16+00:00

    Hi Nathan,

    When you say this: "the screen switches to like the "searching for input" mode, the mouse and keyboard restart and are usable on the Surface, but after a few seconds the monitor reverts back to the PC input,"

    Are you then also pressing the Windows key + P to select how you would like to project to your monitor when it is "searching for input"?

    More at Connect Surface to an external display - Microsoft Support

    Hope this helps,

    Greg

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