How to Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor (Surface Laptop 3 and Laptop 4)
Microsoft’s most recent Surface Laptop models, the Laptop 3 and Laptop 4 use a USB-C port to output video.
It can connect directly to a monitor with a USB-C video input; however, most monitors lack this input. You’ll likely need a video adapter; Microsoft sells the following adapters.
USB-C to DisplayPortUSB-C to HDMIUSB-C to VGA
The Surface Laptop 3 and Laptop 4 will also work with third-party adapters.
Here’s how to connect your Surface Laptop to a monitor once you have the correct adapter.
Turn on your monitor. Connect a USB-C cable to the Surface Laptop’s USB-C port. The USB-C cable must be compatible with DisplayPort alternate mode. Most are, but some less expensive ones cut this feature. Check the USB-C cable’s specifications, if available. If your monitor has a USB-C video input, connect the USB-C cable directly to the monitor. Otherwise, connect the USB-C cable to a video adapter, then plug the video adapter into the corresponding video input on your monitor. The Surface Laptop will detect the display automatically.
While your Surface Laptop will output video automatically, you may want to change the resolution or location of the second monitor. Lifewire’s guide to adding a second monitor in Windows will help you find and select the correct settings.
Otherwise, connect the USB-C cable to a video adapter, then plug the video adapter into the corresponding video input on your monitor.
How to Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor (Surface Laptop and Laptop 2)
The Surface Laptop and Laptop 2 don’t have a USB-C port and instead use Mini-DisplayPort.
Nearly all modern monitors support DisplayPort input but use a full-size DisplayPort connection instead of Mini-DisplayPort. You’ll need a Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.
Older monitors without DisplayPort will also require a DisplayPort to VGA or DVI adapter.
Follow the steps below once you have the correct cable or adapter.
Turn on your monitor. Connect the Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable to the Surface Laptop’s Mini-DisplayPort output. Plug the Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable into your monitor’s DisplayPort input. If using an adapter, plug the Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable into the adapter, then plug the adapter into your monitor’s corresponding input. The Surface Laptop will detect the display automatically.
How to Connect a Surface Laptop With a Surface Dock
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop has only video output included on the laptop but can support more than one monitor.
If using an adapter, plug the Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable into the adapter, then plug the adapter into your monitor’s corresponding input.
You can connect a second monitor using the Microsoft Surface Dock, a peripheral sold by Microsoft which attaches via Surface Connect. It’s the custom, magnetically attached port used to charge and power the Surface Laptop.
The Surface Dock can handle up to two 4K monitors in addition to the Laptop’s built-in display.
Microsoft offers two Surface Dock models. The older, original Surface Dock uses Mini-DisplayPort to output video, and the newer, more expensive Surface Dock 2 uses USB-C. As with the Surface Laptop itself, you will need an adapter to connect your monitor if it lacks a Mini-DisplayPort or USB-C input.
Here’s how to use the Surface Dock.
Turn on each monitor you want to connect to your Surface Laptop. Connect the Surface Dock to the Surface Laptop via the Surface Connect port. Connect each monitor to the Surface Dock. If using adapters, connect the adapters to the Surface Dock first, then connect your monitors. The Surface Laptop will detect each display automatically.
More Ways to Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor
The Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Laptop 4, which use USB-C to output video, can be used with most third-party USB-C docks.
In some situations, you can connect multiple monitors with a daisy chain. It involves attaching a DisplayPort or USB-C video output to a monitor and then connecting a second monitor to the first monitor.
Most monitors don’t have a video output in addition to video input and, because of this, can’t daisy chain. Monitors that can daisy chain include the BenQ PD2700U and the Dell U2721DE. All Surface Laptop models have daisy chain support.
