Looking for an USB<->Ethernet adapter supported by the Surface RT

Hello francisco javierlopez nolasco,

Thanks for stopping by the Microsoft Community. We understand you have a question regarding the devices compatible with Surface RT. Rest assured we'll do our best to help.

Please take a look at this page, it will provide you with all the information you need to know in regards to device capabilitywith your Surface RT.

We hope you find the information to be useful.

Please keep us posted.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-gb/accessories/browse

it says it is only supported on pro models, but there are workarounds to get them working, which usually envolve manually selecting a driver from windows' built-in list.

check this post http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/surface-tip-connect-surface-2-or-surface-rt-wired-network

Greetings Scottmoffitt John Deere,

The Surface USB to Ethernet adapter is not currently supported on Surface 2 or Surface RT.  Our top priority is for customers to have the best possible experience on their Surface device. We are aware of the issue and working on an update that will be distributed through Windows Update in the coming months.

Greetings Scottmoffitt John Deere,

Our top priority is for customers to have the best possible experience on their Surface device. The driver for the Surface USB to Ethernet adapter is not yet available for Surface 2, or Surface RT with Windows RT 8.1.  We are aware of the issue and working on an update to be delivered through Windows Update in the coming months.

For information on Surface updates, visit http://www.microsoft.com/surface/updatehistory.

Microsoft pulled support for this and asked third party vendors to pull drivers. Not sure why.

--

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Windows Entertainment and Connected Home MVP

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Please mark as answered if this answers your question

Hello BruckTesfaye,

The Surface RT isn't designed to connect to the internet via Ethernet, it is designed to connect wirelessly. Here's a link:

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/support/surface-with-windows-RT/web-browsing-and-connectivity/connect-surface-to-a-wireless-network

I'm not aware of any companies that currently offer a USB/Ethernet adapter driver for Windows RT.

Hello there JohnSmith82VP.

Thank you for your question. I'd recommend checking out the Surface Warranty for details relating to warranty exclusions.

Please let us know if you have any further questions we can help you with!

Kindest Regards.

Someone else had success with this adapter:

  http://plugable.com/2012/11/16/usb-ethernet-microsoft-surface

  I bought that one, installed it with the Asix Windows RT driver, and it works.

  So, if anybody's still looking for a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, the adapter from

  Plugable works with this driver:

  http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?sub=driverdetail&PItemID=97

Hope this helps,

Kate

You can connect a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to your Surface RT, but the Surface is picky about the adapters it works with.

Currently, only one USB-to-Ethernet driver works with the Surface RT. And, that driver only works with USB-to-Ethernet adapters using the AX88x72A chipset.

That chipset is found in several brands of 10/100 USB-to-Ethernet adapters. It's not found in any 10/100/1000 adapters, however.

A website named Plugable lets you download the free driver and buy their adapter.

However, if you already own an adapter that uses that AX88x72A chipset, you can just download the driver and install it yourself.

As the question states: Can Microsoft Surface connect to internet through a USB to Ethernet adapter?

Yes. But so far, only one USB-to-Ethernet driver works with the Surface RT.

And, that driver only works with USB-to-Ethernet adapters using the AX88x72A chipset.

That chipset is found in several brands of 10/100 USB-to-Ethernet adapters. It's not found in any 10/100/1000 adapters, however.

A website named Plugable lets you download the free driver and buy their adapter.

However, if you already own an adapter that uses that chipset, you can just download the driver and install it yourself.

The compatibility list now shows:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/winrt/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Name=CablesToGo%2039998%20USB%20Ethernet%20Adapter&vendor=CablesToGo&Locale=1033&BreadCrumbPath=Networking%7CEthernet%20adapters%7C&Type=Hardware&tempOsid=winrt

 

So the Cables 2 Go product 39998 works on the Surface RT.

 

<BUT the 39998 product is not available in the UK... are there any other products that have been proven??>

The Surface design team has said that the Surface RT does not support USB to Ethernet adapters: "We are not offering an ethernet to USB bridge solution for wired scenarios"

Pavan Davuluri mentioned that on Reddita few weeks back.

If you search their site, they actually do have drivers:

http://asix.com.tw/download.php

Here's the direct link:

http://asix.com.tw/FrootAttach/driver/AX88772B_772A_772_WinRT_Driver_v3.16.0.1807.zip

Greetings,

We are aware that the website does not always reflect accurate information. Voting does help though. 

Also, USB to Ethernet adapters do not work, and we are aware of the issue.

Hello JuhlieCuratolo, 

Thank you for contacting us! There are some USB to RJ45 connector adapters. Here is a list of compatible devices that will serve that purpose. I hope this helps!

-Javan

Hey Edmund, 

Have you had any luck? As one of the replies here states, this link will get you to a webpage that can give a list of USB Ethernet adapters that are compatible. Let me know if this helps.

Hi Frank,

For a list of devices compatible with Windows RT please visit this website: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/winrt/CompatCenter/Home?Language=en-US

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks!

Only drivers that DO NOT require a separate driver installation will work on Surface for Windows 8 RT. There isn't a "master drivers" list of available USB device support for Windows 8 RT, but over 420 million USB devices are supported. A newer device should work, but is not guaranteed. 

Plugable is a company that talked in depth about support for Windows 8 RT USB devices, unfortunately it doesn't seem like any of their USB network cards currently work. You can certainly try other USB network devices, if it installs in Windows 8 Pro without a driver it will probably install on Windows 8 RT just fine.

Right now, we simply don't have a list of these supported devices. The list of supported devices will grow with future updates as manufacturers work with Microsoft to have their drivers included with Windows 8 RT.