Troubleshooting guide

Troubleshoot Dock and docking stations

Note

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If you’re having trouble getting your Surface Dock or docking station working with your Surface, here's help.

Before you begin troubleshooting

First, to make sure your Surface is working properly, get the latest updates. For more info, see Install Surface and Windows updates.

Once you have updated your Surface and if you still need help, determine which dock you have and follow the steps for that model.

If your dock looks like the one below, follow the steps If your dock looks like the one below, follow the steps in the in the Troubleshoot docking Troubleshoot Surface Dock section. stations for (original), Pro 2, Pro 3 and section.

Troubleshoot Surface Dock

 Surface Dock isn't connecting to your external monitor  Update your Surface Dock  Surface isn't charging while connected to Surface Dock  Audio problems while connected to the Surface dock

Surface Dock isn't connecting to your external monitor

If your monitor won’t project to a second screen, check your display adapter. Adapters released with and are compatible with Surface Dock.

Note

Legacy adapters released with Surface 3, , and previous devices are not compatible with Surface Dock. Adapters released with Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are compatible with Surface Dock. If your legacy adapter won’t fit in your Surface Dock due to the angle of the connector, replace that adapter if you want to use an external monitor.

For more info on troubleshooting your external monitor, go to Trouble connecting Surface to a second screen.

Update your Surface Dock

Download the Surface Updater tool and use it to update your Surface Dock, then follow the instructions in Update your Surface Dock.

Surface isn't charging while connected to Surface Dock

Here are a few things to check:

 Check your power supplies. Make sure that all the cords are securely connected and the LED indicator light on the Surface Dock is on. Check your power strip indicator light. If the light is on, plug something else into your power outlet to make sure it’s working.  Remove the Surface Connector from your Surface, turn the connector over 180 degrees, and plug it in again. Make sure that the connection is secure and that the indicator light is on.  If you have accessories that draw power from your Surface Dock or Surface, remove them and see if your Surface charges.  If you’re still having problems, reset the power by unplugging your Surface Dock from the power outlet and plugging it back in.

Audio problems while connected to Surface Dock Check your audio connections

 Speaker cables are securely connected to the audio ports on your Surface Dock and to the speakers.  The speakers are plugged in to an electrical outlet and turned on.

Enable the audio device

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type manage audio, and select Manage audio devices from the search results. 2. If the device you want to use shows as disabled, select the device and then select Enable. 3. Select the device and then select Set Default > OK.

Switch to a different audio device

Check whether audio works using a different device. Make sure the device is enabled, as described above. To switch audio playback between Surface Dock and your Surface speakers: 1. In the search box on the taskbar, type manage audio, and then select Manage audio devices from the search results. 2. Next, do one of the following to choose which speakers play audio: o To play audio through the audio port on the docking station, select Speakers Docking Station Audio Device. o To play audio through the Surface speakers, select Speakers Realtek High Definition Audio. 3. Select Set Default > OK.

Troubleshoot docking stations for Surface Pro (original), Pro 2, Pro 3 and Surface 3

If you’re having trouble getting your docking station to work with your Surface Pro, , Surface Pro 3, or Surface 3, here are a few things to try.

 Connecting your Surface to the docking station  Surface isn't charging while docked  Audio problems while docked  Still having trouble?

Connecting your Surface to the docking station

Make sure you’re using the correct docking station for your Surface. Surface docking stations won’t work with Surface RT and .

Docking station Works with

Surface Docking Station Surface Pro

Surface Docking Station Surface Pro 2

Docking Station for Surface Surface Pro 3 Pro 3

Surface 3 Docking Station Surface 3

Once you’ve checked that you have the right docking station, check your Surface for any connection obstacles. To prevent connection obstacles, make sure that:

 Your Surface is seated properly in the docking station. Run your finger over the edges where your Surface touches the docking station sides. If one side is tilted out, open the docking station, reseat your Surface, and push the sides in again.  Both sides of the docking station are pulled out before you try to insert your Surface.  You've removed any attached accessories that would prevent the docking station sides from connecting with your Surface.

Surface isn't charging while docked

Here are a few things to check:

 Your Surface is securely seated in the docking station with both sides of the docking station fully inserted into the sides of your Surface.  The light on the right side of the docking station is turned on.  The power cable is securely inserted into the charging port on the docking station.  Is the electrical outlet working? Plug something else into the outlet to see if it works.  If you're using a power strip, check that it's turned on.  Remove accessories that draw power from the docking station or Surface, then see if your Surface charges. If that works, connect these accessories to a powered USB hub that's plugged into an electrical outlet, and then plug the hub into the docking station or your Surface.

Audio problems while docked

Here are a few things to check:

 The latest Surface and Windows updates are installed. See Get the latest Surface and Windows updates, for steps to do this.  Speaker cables are securely connected to the audio jacks on the back of the docking station and to the speakers.  Speakers are plugged in to an electrical outlet and turned on.

You can switch audio playback between the docking station and your Surface speakers. Here's how:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter manage audio, and then select Manage audio devices from the search results. 2. Do one of the following to specify which speakers play audio: o To play audio through the audio port on the docking station, select Speakers Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device. o To play audio through the Surface speakers: . On Surface Pro, select Speakers 2-High Definition Audio Device. . On Surface Pro 2 or Surface Pro 3, select Speakers Realtek High Definition Audio. . On Surface 3, select Speakers Intel SST Audio Device WDM). 3. Select Set Default > OK.