Surface Book 2: External Monitor Flickering

Anonymous
2018-06-21T02:17:54+00:00

I bought a Surface Book 2 last month.  Yesterday, I started using it with an external monitor (connected to the SB through a HDMI to USB-C adapter). 

The external monitor flickers and disconnects once every 2 minutes, and then returns, only to flicker/disconnect again, repeatedly.  This makes working with an external monitor unbearable.

I see that many people have asked similar question re. the SB, but I could not find a reliable and actionable solution.

Can you please help me?

Thank you.

Surface | Surface Book | Display and screen

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-06-25T01:40:32+00:00

    This is actually a common problem with USB-C. It's not just the Surface Book. If you search online you will find the same problem in the forums of all the PC manufactures. USB-C is just a ****technology.

    I would suggest that you use a Surface Dock with a surface active mini display port to HDMI adapter for each monitor you use. If you are only using one monitor and it has a display port connection you can also use a mini display port to display port cable.

    You can also read my previous posts regarding external monitors with the Surface Book.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-07-18T12:44:49+00:00

    Thank you, Martin.

    Regarding what you said in your reply: "If you are only using one monitor and it has a display port connection you can also use a mini display port to display port cable."

    Yes, my Dell external monitor has a Display Port connection. But the SB 2 does not have a Mini Display Port connection, right?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-18T12:55:41+00:00

    The mini display port would be if you had a Surface dock. If you insist on using the USB-C connection you can get a USB-C to display port cable.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-07-29T20:39:20+00:00

    Hi Marby,

    After having completed downloading and installing the firmware from this link (latest firmware update), the problem was solved for three weeks. 

    However, last week the problem came back and the external monitor keeps getting disconnected every 2 minutes.

    Do you know of a solution to this?  

    Is there a newer version of the firmware you can link me to?

    Thank you.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-08-31T09:48:24+00:00

    Hi there

    I have the exact same issue.

    Screens is flicking when using external screens - connected via dock as well as connected directly to the book via miniDP.

    I have tried: 

    Reinstall windows 10

    Other monitors - Philips, Dell, ASUS, HP monitors.

    New cables

    Other adapters (miniDP to DP)

    New firmware

    New drivers

    Talked to Microsoft support witch agreed to exchange the product, but after 3 week I got the same book back with the note that they have found a scratch, so they would not do the exchange anyway. (this problem has existed always, from the product was brand new, so it have nothing to do with that scratch) 

    PLEASE help, this is annoying as hell. 

    Kind regards 

    Christian - the frustrated IT guy

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