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

Hi, Jeff Ranck!

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Community. We are sorry to learn you have issues allowing your Surface Dock 2 to display the external monitors connected to it. Thanks for taking the time to let us know about this and allowing us to help you out.

May we know if tried a direct connection to the Surface Pro 7's USB-C port to check if the monitor will be recognized?
Also, have you plugged the USB-C cable to the ports at the back? Those USB-C ports near the audio jack.

If it will not work, you may need a USB-C to HDMI adapter to plug to the dock to plug HDMI the cable of your monitor (if using the HDMI port of your monitor). 

For further steps, you can be guided at https://support.microsoft.com/help/4023496/

If this answers your question, please let our Community know by marking this post as an answer. Otherwise, don't hesitate to respond to this thread if there’s anything else that needs to be addressed. 

Kind regards,

Janette_Z

Hi 
I have a similar issue : 

I have the Surface Pro 5 
I just bought:
2 new monitors
2 cables of HDMI to USB-C
Dock 2.

I tried to connect the monitors using HDMI (From the screen) to USB-c (Thant the dock 2 offers) cables. 
The computer fails to read the devices and says:  
" The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it." 

*The screens are working with direct cable HDMI to MiniDP to my computer. 
it means that the screen is ok 

* The Dock 2 works properly with other inputs (USB) - My wireless Keyboard 

• USB-C - Chargers. 

*The computer is fully updated 

PLS HELP!!!

Same issue here:

Surface Laptop 3 (amd-based SKU)

Surface Dock 2

Two brand new USB-C 2496x1664 Dell Monitors, with their Dell USB-C cables

Result if both monitors are connected to the dock: One might light up, or one might show up as a square resolution, or the control panel might show 4 monitors when there are only 3 (internal panel + two monitors).

Result if only one monitor is connected to the dock: Works 50% of the time. Disconnecting and reconnecting can make it work.

I also have a Surface Book 2 with which the dock does work with both monitors, although I sometimes have to disconnect and reconnect the dock cable.

Updating my Surface Laptop's firmware did not help.

At first I had no idea what you meant buy "wire pointing towards the track pad".  It honestly makes no sense to have the wire coming from the dock connector down towards the trackpad and then loop back to keep the wire behind the screen.  BUT.... it's working perfectly now.  I had the exact same issues as all mentioned throughout with connecting 2 DELL monitors same size and specs and one would have difficulty being recognized after going to sleep.  So far sleep and awake multiple times since adjusting the adapter cable connection to the computer and it's working perfectly.  THANK YOU!!!

Just as an update since my last post I added another setup.  In this case I have the Surface Book 3 and another surface dock 2 hooked up to a Dell U4320Q.  I am using USB-C to link to the monitor.  In this arrangement I can have the dock cable facing in either direction and it works.

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