When you connect your Surface to a TV or monitor, your Surface tries to set the best resolution based on the connector and the resolution of your TV or monitor.

The resolution and refresh rate supported for the external display depends on how many displays are connected and whether the display on your Surface is on or off. It also depends on which processor you have.

Connected directly to external display

To see the supported refresh rate and resolution for single or dual external displays, select your Surface device.

When using Surface Dock

When connecting through Surface Dock there’s a maximum display refresh or resolution possible, even if some Surface model capabilities exceed this. The following table specifies the max refresh rate and display resolution for Surface devices that are using either one or two external displays. 

Connected to one external monitor

Surface Dock model

Max refresh rate

Max display resolution

Surface Dock

60 Hz

4096 x 2304

Surface Dock 2

30 Hz

7680 x 4320

Surface Dock 2

120 Hz

3840 x 2160

Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock

60 Hz

3840 x 2160 (USB4/Thunderbolt™ 4)*

Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock

60 Hz (8 bit color)

3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.3 or later - HBR3)*

Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock

30 Hz (10 bit color)

3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.2 or later - HBR2)*

* Both the host device and the external display need to support the Thunderbolt™, DisplayPort, High Bit Rate (HBR) standards.

Connected to two external monitors

Surface Dock model

Max refresh rate

Max display resolution

Surface Dock

30 Hz

4096 x 2304

Surface Dock

60 Hz

2560 x 1600

Surface Dock 2

60Hz

3840 x 2160

Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock

60 Hz

3840 x 2160 (USB4/Thunderbolt™ 4)*

*Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock only supports one 4k external display when using a USB-C connection instead of a USB4/ Thunderbolt™ 4 connection to the host device.

When you use two external displays, you may be able to achieve a higher refresh or display resolution on one display by lowering the refresh or display resolution used on the other. 

Related topics

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.