Problem with surface pro 7 and using external monitor

Question

I have a surface pro 7 and have an external monitor I hooked up that said it’s compatible with surface pro. It works via usb c cable but when plugged in my surface pro makes a beeping sound every few minutes and says device not detected. The monitor works but the beeping isn’t going to work when on work calls. Is there a way to fix this? The guy at Best Buy said the only way is to buy a $300 adapter and that doesn’t seem realistic.

thank you

Answer 1

Hi Amber,

Thanks for contacting the Microsoft Community! I appreciate you sharing the details of your Surface pro issue.

Based on the information you've provided the detailed explanation, that's definitely sounds frustrating, especially during work calls.

There are a few things we can try before resorting to a pricey adapter.

We can consider doing these troubleshooting first:

1. Check the USB-C Cable Quality

Not all USB-C cables are created equal. Some only support charging or data transfer, not video output.

Try using a high-quality USB-C to USB-C cable that explicitly supports DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt 3/4.

2. Check Device Manager for Errors

Right-click Start > Device Manager.

Look under Display Adapters and Universal Serial Bus controllers for any yellow warning icons.

If you see any, right-click and choose Update driver or Uninstall device, then restart.

3. Try a Different Port or Hub

If your Surface Pro 7 has only one USB-C port, try using a Surface Dock or a reliable USB-C hub that supports video output.

Some users have had success with USB-C to HDMI adapters that are under $50.

4. Disable System Sounds for Device Connect/Disconnect

This won’t fix the root issue, but it can silence the beeping:

Go to Control Panel > Sound > Sounds tab.

Under Program Events, find Device Connect and Device Disconnect.

Set both to (None).

Test with Another Monitor or Cable

If possible, try a different monitor or cable to isolate whether the issue is with the Surface, the cable, or the monitor.

Please inform us if you still require assistance, or if you have any other questions, feel free to respond.

Warm regards,

Edward Schlobohm