Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display
Applies To
SurfaceIf you have followed the recommended steps at Connect Surface to an external display to connect to your external display, such as TV, monitor, or projector, and you're having trouble here are some things to try.
Check for system updates
You can quickly check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware using the Surface app.
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In the Surface app, expand Help & support to check the update status.
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If there are updates available, select the Check for updates button to open Windows Update and install the available updates.
: If you don't have the Surface app installed, you can download the Surface app from the Microsoft Store. When it has downloaded, select Start, search for Surface, then select the app from the list of results.
Power reset your external display
Unplug your monitor from the power outlet and then plug it back in.
Check the video input settings
If you’ve connected your Surface to an external display, make sure your external display is set to the current port. For example, if you’re using a DisplayPort connection to an external display, that display must be set to recognize DisplayPort as the video input signal.
: Common video input settings include USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, VGA, Input, and Source.
Check the port version setting on the external display
Most external displays have an on-screen menu that adjusts the port version used by the display. Adjusting this setting may produce better results.
Follow the instructions in the display's manual or check the manufacturer's website.
Duplicate or extend your display onto your external display
Press the Windows logo key + P and confirm the selected choice is correct.
Check the video cables
Using high quality cables is an essential part of having a working connection to your external display. We recommend using Designed for Surface Accessories.
For more recommendations, please view Connect Surface to an external display.
For a multiple monitor setup
For external displays compatible with daisy chain, please contact display manufacturer for configuration details and specifications.
As an example, here is how to set up daisy chain with DisplayPort:
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Using a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, connect the Mini DisplayPort on your Surface to the DisplayPort input on the first external display. If only one of your external displays has an output port, connect your Surface to that external display first.
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Connect the output port of the first external display to the DisplayPort input port of the other external display.
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Follow the monitor manufacturer’s instructions to set both external displays to use DisplayPort 1.2 as an input source. For example, this might be called Multi-Stream Transport (MST), which allows the first display to pass the signal along to the second external display.
Check the display adapter
If you’re using an adapter (like a USB-C to HDMI Adapter, USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter, or USB-C to VGA Adapter), check your connection. Remove the adapter and reinsert it firmly to make sure it’s connected to your Surface. We recommend using Designed for Surface Accessories or Surface USB-C to display adapters.
Try the adapter on a different external display
To see if your video adapter is working, connect your Surface to a different TV, monitor, or projector. If you can’t get what’s on your Surface display to show on a different external display, you might need to replace the adapter.
Clear your display cache
Here's how to clear your cache:
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Undock your Surface from the Surface Dock or disconnect the monitor from your Surface.
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Download the Surface Dock registry file. Choose to Open the file. This file will clear your cache, whether you have a dock or not.
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Select and run surface dock registry.reg.
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Select Yes to allow changes to your Surface, select Yes to confirm, and then select OK to close.
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Restart your Surface, reconnect the Dock and/or monitors, and try your external display again.
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