Surface 4 Laptop cannot connect to external monitor after 2023-10 Windows updates

Question

Hi all-

Since the 2023-10 Windows (quality) updates, I have been unable to connect my external Dell monitor to my Surface 4 laptop. The external monitor is not detected at all. Is anyone else having this issue?

• System is Surface 4 laptop, Intel i7, 16GB RAM, 64 bit Windows 11 Pro
• I confirmed that the cord and monitor are working correctly (tested on another machine)
• I've tried all the common troubleshooting recommendations
• I tried rolling back Quality updates (only one is available to uninstall) and this did not solve the issue

Answer 1

Hi Benjamin Wall,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.

I am aware of the issue you are experiencing with your Surface Laptop 4 not being able to connect to an external monitor after installing the 2023-10 Windows updates. I value the time and effort you have given out in trying to resolve the problem. I am here to help and let us work on this together. Allow me to ask some questions.

• Would you mind sharing what build version of Windows you are currently running?
• Did you connect to an external display with a dock?
• What cable did you use?

This issue may be caused by a driver or firmware issue. To resolve this issue, I recommend that you try the following steps:

1. Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit See: Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com)
2. Power reset your external display: Unplug your monitor from the power outlet and then plug it back in
3. Check the video input settings: Make sure your external display is set to the current port.
4. 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.
5. Clear your display cache: Here's how to clear your cache:
   1. Undock your Surface from the Surface Dock or disconnect the monitor from your Surface.
   2. Download the Surface Dock registry file. Choose to Openthe file. This file will clear your cache, whether you have a dock or not.
   3. Select and run surface dock registry.reg.
   4. Select Yesto allow changes to your Surface, select Yesto confirm, and then select OKto close.
   5. Restart your Surface, reconnect the Dock and/or monitors, and try your external display again.
6. Manually update the drivers and firmware for your Surface.
   1. Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Laptop
   2. Then click the link next to Surface Laptop 4 then click Download on the next page.
   3. Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.
   4. After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart.

For other troubleshooting guide, see Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display - Microsoft Support. You can simply skip the ones you've already done.

I hope these helps. Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Lavenia

Answer 2

I have the same issue, the external monitor stopped getting detected after the 2023-10 update was installed. Please advise.

Dock: Dell WD22TB4

Laptop: Surface Laptop 4

It was working fine before the update.

Thanks,

Adnan

Answer 3

Hi Levenia

Mine suddenly stopped working a few days ago. I have a 4K monitor and I have tried all of the above with no avail. Nothing works. I have a surface docking station and have tried USB-C connections, HDMI connections and can't get my external monitor to be recognised.

This is so frustrating considering the cost of the surface laptop 4, docking stations and the cost of an external monitor.

I have no idea what to try next and considering getting rid of my surface laptop and not buying another surface product again

Answer 4

I ended up re-installing from scratch. Surface Laptop 4 with latest firmware is now working correctly.