Surface Dock USB ports not working - Dock Updater repeatedly fails

Unsurprisingly, this did not work for me.

Sorry to hear that you weren't as lucky.  I was happy not to have to use the USB ports on the Surface Book anymore.

I was having the same problem as well and wanted to try everything.

The surface dock updater actually didn't recognize my dock at all so I was at a loss.

Reversing the connector actually worked for me (reproducible)!

When the connecter is connected to my surface Pro 4 with the cable pointing down, USB doesn't work (all other connections do).

When I reverse it (cable pointing up) USB immediately start working (keyboard and mouse in my case). 

The surface pro dock updater then also recognized the dock.

I am baffled, but at least my USB now works properly.

Surface Dock is an ABSOLUTE piece of JUNK!!!   I am now on the 3rd dock.  Only to know it has the same issue as the others.  HDMI, Ethernet, USB ports ALL drop 3-5 seconds and maintain that loop indefinitely.  I have applied every update, been on the phone support to no avail.  These guys actually tried to tell me they have not heard of this issue, if you can believe that!  I had to send the links to forums like this showing this has been an issue since 2016.

All USB, HDMI, Ethernet Cabling and devices are in 100% working order on ANY other type of connection.  Once the surface dock is connected, they all stop working.

Have applied ALL Windows updates and the surface dock updater, which took 4-7 different tries. The dock would not stay connected long enough to get through the firmware update.  Once it finally did, the HDMI and Ethernet have stayed connected, USB however, drops in same loop cycle.  I leave the Surface Laptop long enough to sleep, then come back, the dock does not work at all. I have to power cycle the dock, unplug all connections, then reconnect on power cycle.  MICROSOFT... IT IS A DOCKING STATION - HOW CAN YOU SCREW THIS UP, SERIOUSLY!!!!!!

I can guarantee if Mr. Gates was using this piece, the issue would have been resolved in a week.

Bottom line as a Surface laptop user, which I love the laptop, I am forced to buy a different brand or use the USB for a 3rd party dock, which is probably fine.  The current Microsoft dock is 100% unreliable and cannot be used.

100% agreed! The Surface is not usable without the dock, but taking into account the dock's quality, I won't be buying another Surface again.