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

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-15T07:53:33+00:00

    The adapter of Microsoft is active. 

    This is why it works. From time to time it gives an error in signal that disappears only when adapter was disconnected and reconnected. 

    Passive cables run mostly into issues.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-15T02:31:47+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-15T01:52:52+00:00

    Can people please post which cables they use?

    I tried with the surface dock 2 connection up or down (cable facing back or front) to a Surface Book 3 Business, and I still have no image on the monitors using USB-C to full-size DisplayPort cables going to two Dell 4K monitors, despite the monitors being listed as connected in Windows 10.

    I tried switching the refresh rate to 30 and back, which also does not work.

    This is the cable I use:

    https://www.startech.com/en-au/audio-video-products/cdp2dp142mbd

    which claims

    USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable 8K 60Hz/4K - Bidirectional DP to USB-C or USB-C to DP Reversible Video Adapter Cable -HBR3/HDR/DSC - USB Type C/TB3 Monitor Cable

    Thanks.

    GT

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-04-14T15:46:42+00:00

    It didn’t work for me :(

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-04-14T06:13:41+00:00

    Wow - thanks Aaron! That solved the issue for me. Cant believe Microsoft does not ask us to check this as the very first alternative.

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