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
    2016-11-13T17:40:31+00:00

    Same issue with my

    SP4 i7 512

    32 Sam 4K

    new dock

    DP connected via dock

    Twisting between "no connection" / "need password" / "no internet" etc.

    Sometimes it happens even when being disconnected from dock.

    My router cannot run 5 Mhz. No other device had this problem ever...

    Bought the device in early 2016 hoping to get this fixed by MS with one of the next updates, but since last (anniversary) i think about returning it.

    I am working in construction industry and need to be online permanently while transferring large files and tons of emails. This current condition ist not acceptable!

    Instead of fixing this huge problem i get more and more bloat with every update and a lock screen wallpaper i cannot switch off anymore.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-10-28T08:01:11+00:00

    try plugging the surface into the dock the opposite way round. I know the surface dock connector is supposed to have the ability to be plugged into the surface either way, but ive found that if wifi doesnt work with the surface when docked, if i undock and redock, but altering way i connect the surface to the dock, it usually sorts the issue.

    Its just another example of how the surface is really just a beta testing ground for MS, but while still charging premium prices to people who buy them. I wont be fooled again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-10-17T14:21:32+00:00

    Had the same problem and found the solution.

    Please read : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/surface/surface-diagnostic-toolkit?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    I downloaded  the Surface_Diagnostic_Toolkit from : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46703

    I ran it and the tool identified that my surface needed some updates, which is actually weird because I run the automatic/standard Windows 10 update procedure.

    After the updates my Wifi/Internet connection and dockingstation problems where finally solved.

    I tried the above, but it doesn't help my Surface Pro 4.

    I upgraded all necessary devices...

    All tests passed.

    But when I'm connected to docking station I have no WiFi connection.

    Any ideas?

    Peter.

    I too tried the recommended solution but was unsuccessful. The only way I can get reliable internet access is by using a usb NIC. MICROSOFT! PLEASE SUPPLY A RESOLUTION!!!! We shouldn't have to fix this ourselves.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-10-10T07:15:43+00:00

    Had the same problem and found the solution.

    Please read : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/surface/surface-diagnostic-toolkit?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    I downloaded  the Surface_Diagnostic_Toolkit from : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46703

    I ran it and the tool identified that my surface needed some updates, which is actually weird because I run the automatic/standard Windows 10 update procedure.

    After the updates my Wifi/Internet connection and dockingstation problems where finally solved.

    I tried the above, but it doesn't help my Surface Pro 4.

    I upgraded all necessary devices...

    All tests passed.

    But when I'm connected to docking station I have no WiFi connection.

    Any ideas?

    Peter.

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-10-07T09:09:19+00:00

    Hi Marcus,

    I had the exact same situation as you, sp4, 1664 dock, using HDMI rather than mini-dp, all was working fine until the anniversary update then wifi stopping working - but only when docked.

    It now seems fixed thanks to HiTonk's post (page 5 of this thread) which said:

    Had the same problem and found the solution.

    Please read : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/surface/surface-diagnostic-toolkit?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    I downloaded  the Surface_Diagnostic_Toolkit from : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46703

    I ran it and the tool identified that my surface needed some updates, which is actually weird because I run the automatic/standard Windows 10 update procedure.

    After the updates my Wifi/Internet connection and dockingstation problems where finally solved.

    I downloaded the surface diagnostic toolkit, ran just the update part, updated everything it said and it's worked fine since then.

    Hope this works for you too.

    Mark

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