Surface dock 2 not connecting to monitors using usb-c cables

Anonymous
2020-07-15T13:06:07+00:00

I purchased two new surface dock2 to connect our surface pro 7 to our widescreen monitors using usb-c cables. Neither of the monitors would connect through the usb-c ports.

One monitor is an LG 38WK95C. The other is a Dell ultrasharp U3818DW. The LG monitor previously worked connecting to a macbook pro through the usb-c port.

To be clear, I first connected the surface dock 2 to one of the surface pro 7 devices and connected the Dell to the surface dock 2 through the usb-c. A messages was displayed to the effect that the monitor should be connected through a displayport. The monitor never showed up in windows, although you would get the sound like a monitor was recognized and the displayport message. Using the "detect monitor" feature came back with "no monitor detected".

I then connected the LG to the other surface pro 7 device through the surface dock 2. The exact same behavior occurred.

Windows update showed no updates available. I then manually updated the firmware on one of the surface pro 7 devices. Still no joy.

Surface | Accessories | Surface Dock

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.

0 comments

84 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-08-20T07:10:35+00:00

    Hi,

    Had similar issues, I connected Surface pro 7 to Surface dock 2 through to 2 x AOC QHD 32 inch monitors I used 2 x usb - C to HDMI cables. I could get the monitors to turn on and function by plugging and unplugging the cables in a specific order. This was of course frustrating and not ideal given the cost of the set up. The problem was fixed when i ditched the usb c to HDMI cables and put the HDMI FEMALE to usb C MALE adapter in place for both monitors and connected to the monitors with the HDMI cable that they came with. Now it works perfectly I can unplug the dock and plug it into any surface and both monitors come on as they should.

    Hope this helps

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-14T12:56:29+00:00

    I was able to resolve the issue only by buying a Type C to HDMI adapter & HDMI cables. All other efforts are a waste. Latest firmware/(Win + Ctrl + Shift + B) . The only other alternative there is a to buy a ACTIVE TYPE C to HDMI cable. The passive TYPE C to HDMI cables will never work from surface dock2.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-11T12:42:47+00:00

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-08-11T03:11:14+00:00

    Thank you and could you please send a link to the source where you bought these cables? There are a few from startech.comcom at Amazon but they seems to appear like the photo you posted. Thanks

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2021-08-10T18:58:12+00:00

    Hi Christy and MS community. Since my previous post on this issue I have found a solution and it definitely seems to in to what I thought the issue might be. So after trying 3 different types of USB - Display port cables some labeled as "Active" I finally found the ones that actually work with this poorly designed dock revision.

    I'm attaching pictures to this so you can see the difference between the two. The ones that work (right image) have components housed in line with the cable to help push the signal from the dock 2 and it is a much thicker cable as you can see. I'd recommend getting some of these and trying them out. All the previous usb c- display port cables we purchased as a company are all a waste now due to MS not using standards in their dock. Just my two cents on it but I do hope this helps you and anyone else that has this trouble.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments