Surface Pro 3 dock not detecting external monitor

Anonymous
2014-08-13T15:12:33+00:00

I have a new surface pro 3 and I purchased two docking stations. 1 for the office and one for home. Neither docking stations allows the pro3 to detect a monitor that is plugged into it.   I can plug the monitor directly into the pro3 and it detects if fine both at home and at the office.   I can tell you that its a serious interruption professionally, and personally and does not bode well for MS's desires to serve the business community.   What I need is a solution.

Surface | Accessories | Surface Dock

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Anonymous
2015-10-25T14:03:15+00:00

I have a new surface pro 3 and I purchased two docking stations. 1 for the office and one for home. Neither docking stations allows the pro3 to detect a monitor that is plugged into it.   I can plug the monitor directly into the pro3 and it detects if fine both at home and at the office.   I can tell you that its a serious interruption professionally, and personally and does not bode well for MS's desires to serve the business community.   What I need is a solution.

hey guys

I had exact same issue and I did this and the issue magically solved!!

a two button restart:

  • Power off the Surface Pro
  • Hold Volume Up and the Power button for 10 seconds
  • Release buttons
  • Wait 5-10 seconds
  • Power on the Surface

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Anonymous
2014-08-13T23:38:43+00:00

Hi will-eman,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Community! Sorry to know that your Docking Stations are not detecting your external displays. I can certainly understand why this is an inconvenience, especially when, as you mention, it is used in a business environment and for professional purposes. I’d like to help and hopefully provide the best possible solution!

Please try the following:

  • With the Surface and external display connected to the Docking Station, unplug the Docking Station from the power outlet, leave it unplugged for 30 seconds to a minute, then plug it back and see if the displays are recognized.
  • Please make sure all and latest Windows updates are installed. If so, verify all updates were taken while the Docking Station was connected to the Surface.
  • When you connect the external monitor, do you have any other devices connected to the Docking Station as well? And if so, have you tried removing all devices and connecting the external monitor only?
  • Have you tried connecting other external displays to the docking Station? Are ALL displays or devices not recognized?
  • Have you tried the what Ed Bott - MVP suggests?

 Additionally, please read the following support article:

We hope this information works! Please keep us posted!

We are always here to help!

Best Wishes,

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-27T13:28:40+00:00

    Has anyone got anywhere with this yet?

    I bought the docking station so I didn't have to unplug cables every time, I've tried allsorts but no Joy yet .

    I must admit I have only tried 2 cables but fail to undertand why the cable would be an issue if it works on thr surface itself?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-26T15:37:20+00:00

    I had the same issue as you. I went to the surface store and traded my docking station in for a new one and everything started working. They were telling me it was a firmware issue, but obviously not because I plugged my computer into their docking station with no updates and the monitor popped right on! These docking stations have issues out of the box... I have the same Samsung 28" 4k monitor, model U28D590D and what I'm seeing now is that the monitor won't turn on with the computer. Works just fine if I plug it directly into the surface's DP port.. I'm also not getting greater than 2560 x 1440 resolution. I'm ok with that because any smaller and I'd have to squint, but still... I have a DP 1.2 cable and it's not going any higher in resolution. I did notice on my non-surface machine that I had to install the software from Samsung to get it to work. I haven't installed this software on my surface yet because I can't find the blasted CD... They don't provide the software as a download just FYI... When I find the CD I'll be sure to post here saying whether it changes anything. I'm starting to think about returning all this **** and just using my old laptop. This nightmare isn't worth it...

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-25T01:06:28+00:00

    I too had this problem and found a solution.  In my case my external monitor worked when connected to the SP3 but did not work connected to the dock.  I have an HP w2007 monitor (DVI) connected to an Apple DVI to miniDisplayPort adapter.

    After doing some googling I discovered Apple's adapter is an active device containing internal chips.  After replacing the Apple adapter with a different one manufactured by RocketFish the monitor now works with the dock as well as with the SP3.

    Bottom line - if your monitor doesn't work with the dock but does work with the SP3 try replacing your miniDisplayPort adapter.  It appears that Apple's adaptor (Thunderbolt) is not compatible with the dock.

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