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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2014-12-06T11:36:32+00:00

    Hi Barb,

    It's great to find someone who might be able to help with this problem!  My wireless display adapter won't connect, similarly to others in this thread.

    I have tried all the things you have suggested to others, and still the connection never completes (see my earlier message in this thread).   I have Windows Firewall turned on, and Windows Defender working.  I have no USB devices plugged into the SP3, and the TV has only the adapter plugged into its USB port, for power.  From what someone else said, it sounds like it might be a firewall problem, but turning that off every time doesn't sound like a good idea.

    I took the SP3 and adapter back to the Microsoft store.  They couldn't get it to work, and what's more, my SP3 wouldn't connect to a TV with adapter that they use all the time to demo.  So that localizes the problem to my machine, but the technician couldn't solve the problem after much trying.

    I would be very grateful if you could make any suggestions!!

    Can you check Windows Update and verify that you have all updates and firmware updates installed?

    Did you reset the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter using the reset button on the adapter?

    Can you try plugging the adapters USB into AC power and not the TV? Almost any USB power adapter will work from another peripheral.

    Are you using it with or without the HDMI extension cable?

    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

    do you have anything/programs running in the background?

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