Microsoft wireless display adapter not connecting to Surface Pro 3

Anonymous
2014-11-17T20:04:52+00:00

I have a surface pro 3, all updates are complete, I have a new Microsoft wireless display adapter bought in the US, tried to use it on 2 different HDTV's today and I can't get the surface to connect to the adapter. I can see it paired, its on my surface as a device, I can see the adapter setup on the TV's HDMI channel, but when i try to connect the screen tries to connect, but then fails, no error not message, just says can not connect on the surface..

The name of the adapter on the TV and on the device list on the surface is MicrosoftDisplayAdapter_E8

I have tried it on a samsung and finlux TV, both only a few years old, and have powered USB so not sure what proble is

Surface | Accessories | Wireless display adapter

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Anonymous
2014-11-17T20:28:49+00:00

Found the issue in my firewall, just need to figure out now how to apply a rule

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Anonymous
2014-12-27T00:42:40+00:00

Here's how I fixed the problem without a system reset.

  1. Go into Device Manager and from View make sure show hidden devices s selected.
  2. There should now be an item that has an exclamation point. Remove it and all of the devices with the same name followed by #1 #2 etc if there are any.  I'm sorry that I didn't make a note of what it was and I can't remember. But if this is your problem, it will be there. Make sure to uninstall all of the same named devices.
  3. Restart. Do not rescan. I tried that and it didn't work. I had to restart to make it work.
  4. After a restart I slide in from the right side and selected Devices from Charms. I selected project and the Add a Wireless Display was back. I tapped it and it found the MS Wireless Display Adapter. I connected and it worked fine.

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Anonymous
2015-03-22T22:01:03+00:00

I'm sure this has been resolved already...however...I had the same issue with my Surface Pro 3 and would like to share what resolved the issue.  It seems this is an inherent Microsoft issue that haunts them since Windows 98.  I remember having graphic card issues back then and I quite simply deleted the graphics driver from the Device Manager.  That's right deleted - then reboot.

The MS Display Adapter works beautifully with my BlackBerry Z30...two clicks and I was connected.  Therefore, it's not the adapter.  The fix is the following with Surface Pro 3:

Search for Device Manager > Double click Display Adapters > Right click Intel HD Graphics Family > Click Unistall > Check "Delete driver software for this device" > Click Ok > Reboot > Once fully rebooted, follow instructions to install MS Display Adapter (open right charms > Devices > Project > MS Display Adapter...) then bingo! You are now connected.

Worked like a charm!  ;)

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Anonymous
2015-03-05T17:55:50+00:00

"If you have a firewall, temporarily disable it. If you have AVG, open the program and click on "Firewall". Click on "change" to the right of the "Firewall Mode, Automatic". Select the bottom button that says "Disable Firewall (not recommended)" and click "apply". (This made me nervous, but AVG assured me that my virus scan was still active, and said that I could reactivate my firewall when finished with my display). I attempted to pair the devices and the projector works PERFECTLY. I can't speak to other firewalls, but my hunch is that by temporarily disabling them, the devices should connect. Hopefully this information is helpful. Please let me know if this works for you!"

The info on conflicts with  firewalls and AV programs is including in the Wiki article on Trouble Shooting Miracast.http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows8_1-networking/trouble-shooting-miracast/51d24be3-8d15-4c29-8e13-767ec365fbd8

  • item #3.

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Anonymous
2015-01-30T11:32:37+00:00

I've had the same issue: MWDA was detected by SP3, but when I tried to connect, the SP3 screen flickered and connection was lost...

I was doing this as a non-admin... After I logged in as administrator it worked. Now it also works on my non-admin account. Might be a coincidence, but I'm glad it works now ;-)

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-02-18T18:57:47+00:00

    Hello all

    I'd like to consolidate the steps that have helped users so far.  I would also like to give a shout out to Barb and all of you who have continued to work through and present your results.

    If you cannot connect with either the SP3 or the phone, you should first try to reset the Microsoft Display Adapter as per the instructions on the bottom of the page at:

    http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/help/support/troubleshooting/adapters/common-issues

    after you reset it, and with your TV on the correct HDMI input, use your SP3 only for now. The reset button is next to the cord that comes out of the unit.

    I have to disable the firewall I have. I use AVG 2014 but I can't set up a rule so I have to disable it if I want to use the adapter

    In general the following items have been known to cause conflicts:

    1. VPN software from Cisco and others (Netgear ReadyCloud software also adds a hidden VPN device)
    2. group policy settings if you are on a domain
    3. firewall rules on a domain (you should not normally have to change the Windows firewall if you are a consumer not on a domain)
    4. third party anti virus and/or firewalls - recommend completely uninstalling these, restarting, and then checking to see if you can add a wireless display.
    5. Virtualization software like VirtualBox

    I took my Surface Pro 3 and the adapter to a Microsoft  store. They couldn't make it work either. They went to update and recovery and reinstalled windows. That fixed all the problems. I also could not display the on screen keyboard. also fixed. Be sure to backup before you do this. A list of files affected will be left on the desktop.

    I'm glad I found this thread.  In my case I had VirtualBox recently installed by a program called Andy (an Android emulator).  After I bit more research I found another site that pointed out the solution I needed.  It said to uncheck the Networking driver for VirtualBox in the properties of my network adapter.  Once I did that, I could again see the "Add a wireless display" option in the Devices-Project section of the Charms bar.

    I've written up a generic trouble shooting piece at http://digitalmediaphile.com/index.php/2014/12/27/trouble-shooting-miracast/

    Also, there is some evidence that having BlueStacks installed creates and issue but I don't have enough data to know for sure.

    I found that my wireless adapter setting that was labeled "NETGEAR Firewall Driver" as opposed to your "VirtualBox Bridged Networking Driver", however, I did have similar positive results in disabling this. Once I did that my first successful vision of "add wireless display." Hope this helps anyone else.

    He removed the Intel(R) HD Graphics display adapter, and rebooted.  He tried again, and it connected to their monitor at the store.

    He then went into Device Manager and removed the "Intel(R) HD Graphics Family" display adapter, and immediately rebooted the new Surface Pro 3 (that still had everything on it "mirrored" from my old Surface, so nothing else was removed), and it connected first try after reboot.

    I've had the same issue: MWDA was detected by SP3, but when I tried to connect, the SP3 screen flickered and connection was lost...

    I was doing this as a non-admin... After I logged in as administrator it worked. Now it also works on my non-admin account. Might be a coincidence, but I'm glad it works now ;-)

    I was having the same issue with connecting and went to Device Manger and just updated the Intel HD Graphics Family driver by right clicking on it and everything works fine now. Rebooted and connected to the display adaptor with no problems.

    Also

    If any of you are still experiencing this after the troubleshooting presented, have you made any changes to the Band setting for the Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller?

    Device Manager> Network adapters> Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller - right click/long press> properties> Advanced> Band

    What is selected here, and does your experience vary depending on what is set?

    Let us know what is happening. 

    Best regards

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