WiFi/Networking issue when connected to docking station

Anonymous
2015-12-16T10:29:24+00:00

Hi,

I recently bought the new Surface Pro 4 (i7, 512 GB SSD) along with the new docking station. I've experienced some of the general issues that various other people have mentioned (such as the power management/sleep issue) but I'm also seeing an issue that does not yet seem reported.

When I have the new docking station connected, if it's connected to a monitor, the network connectivity sometimes drops. I have been using it without any issues for about 2 weeks, but today I had a lot of trouble connecting to the office WiFi network. The network itself was definitely working properly as it was quick and reliable for several other users, including my own phone. Nonetheless, I rebooted the router to make sure.

Windows simply would not connect to the WiFi network (even though it has always been a saved connection). Trying to connect caused it to sometimes fail and sometimes ask for the network password (and entering it correctly would still fail - but that's another long-standing Windows bug!). Connecting to alternative networks did exactly the same; it would attempt to connect to my phone's portable hotspot, connect and disconnect in a few seconds, retry, and then stop (in a disconnected state). Intermittently it would connect to the network, but sometimes with 'No Internet' and clearly lots of DNS issues in trying to resolve google.com. It sometimes took 30-60 seconds to load google.com.

Troubleshooting steps

  • Tried disabling and re-enabling the WiFi adapter
  • Tried restarting Windows 10
  • Tried disabling all other network adapters (the Ethernet port from the dock and two created by VirtualBox)
  • Tried removing dock connection
    • This is the first time the connection issues were resolved and google.com was loaded (and could be reloaded) within milliseconds
  • Re-attached dock and tried removing Logitech unifying receiver (the only USB device plugged in)
  • Tried removing monitor
    • Everything back to normal, was able to browse very quickly again
  • Tried re-attaching monitor
    • Network issues again where loading google.com would take around 20 seconds and refreshing the page would also take several seconds

Clearly there is an issue with the external display. The display is a 1080p monitor which is connected via a HDMI cable and a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. The strange part is that this problem has never come up before, though in hindsight I would say that browsing at the office has been generally a little bit slower than at home.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I might try to get an older pre-1.4 spec HDMI cable to see if this has an effect.

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-20T18:42:42+00:00

    I can get my LAN working through the Docking station, but when I unplug, the wifi doesn't work.... seems to be specific to Surface 4 (i7, 500GB SSD, 16 GB). My Surface Pro 1 is fine and so is my 2008 MacBook.

    This is the latest in what has turned out to be the worst computer purchasing experience I've ever had. 30 hours of trouble shooting.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-24T15:20:14+00:00

    I have a surface pro 4.  I purchased 2 docking stations, one for work and one for home.  At work the docking station is perfect and uses an Ethernet cable.  At home I only have WIFI, when I plug in the docking station the WIFI no longer works, it says it is (i.e. it is connected) but won't transmit data.  As soon as I unplug the docking station, wifi works perfectly again.  Some reason I think it is trying to use the Ethernet adapter on the docking station.  Any suggestions?  I like the docking station as I can power 2 monitors and plug in several USB devices.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-22T13:22:39+00:00

    I use my Surface Pro 4's wifi with the Xfinity modem router combo.

    When I connect the Surface Pro 4 to the Surface Dock, I cannot access the internet.

    When I check the settings, the Surface Pro 4 shows that it is connected to the router, but will not transmit any data.

    I have tried the usual steps of unplugging the modem and restarting the Surface Pro 4.

    As soon as I unplug the Surface Dock, I can immediately access the internet.

    I used the ookla speed test when connected disconnected from the Surface Dock and saw that my upload and download speeds were normal.

    When plugged into the Surface Dock, my upload and download speeds were 0 and 0.

    I would appreciate any help I can get.

    Thanks,

    -Jose

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-29T20:08:49+00:00

    I have the dock connected via display port adapter to hdmi port on an Acer 27" touch monitor. I have EXACTLY the same symptoms and issues as above. In the beginning it was more temporary issues, but now it is so bad I cannot use the network when using the dock at all.

    I also have numerous other surface pro 4 issues, like pen sometimes not working, keyboard disconnect issues etc. I come from a Macbook, and am not sure if these issues are "normal" Windows issues, or specific to the surface pro.

    As a note: To get the needed custom resolution for my 27" monitor, I had to manually install the Intel display drivers(!)

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-09-08T19:27:24+00:00

    Dear Microsoft - I bought a [top of the range] surface book, surface dock, surface mouse, surface keyboard and spent a fortune on a massive widescreen Samsung monitor to complete this super expensive setup [the most money I've spent on anything] - I've only had it for a few days and yet I am routinely experiencing the same problem that hundreds of other have mentioned here with zero reply from you. It is not acceptable to ignore your customers in this way. When connected to your expensive dock the surface drops WiFi. I've tried everything detailed on these forums and still experience this infuriating and unacceptable problem. Will you please post an official reply and stop ignoring your customer base?

    P.s. If you don't reply in due course you will be refunding me for all of these goods which are rendered useless by you.

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