Microsoft Surface Dock 2 Displays Cutting out

Question

I have 2 DELL external displays running off my Dock 2. They initially flicker and then they moved to not displaying any information followed by a note on the displays stating no input. It appears this is not a unique issue. I have a Microsoft studio laptop running through the dock to the displays. I see others have had the same issue but what is the "fix"? I have cycled the power to the dock, to the monitors, rebooted the laptop and I still the same keeps happening if not more often (3x a day now).

Answer 1

Try the following steps in order, testing the monitors after each step:

1. Update Surface, Windows, and Dock firmware
   • Make sure the Surface Studio Laptop and Windows are fully updated. See Install Surface and Windows updates from the “Use Surface Dock 2” article.
   • Update the Surface Dock 2 firmware:
     1. Go to Download Surface Tools for IT from Update your Surface Dock.
     2. Download and install the latest Surface Dock Firmware Update (.msi).
     3. After installation, disconnect and reconnect the Surface from the dock.
2. Power‑cycle and reset the Dock
   If issues persist after updates:
   1. Unplug the Surface Dock 2 from the Surface.
   2. Unplug the dock’s power supply from the wall for at least 5 seconds.
   3. Plug the power back into the dock, then reconnect the dock to the Surface.
      This reset procedure is described in the “Troubleshoot Surface Dock or Surface Docking Station” guidance.
3. Clear the display cache for the dock
   Intermittent flicker and “no input” can be caused by a corrupted display cache.
   1. Undock the Surface or disconnect the monitors.
   2. From Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display, download the Surface Dock registry file (surface dock registry.zip).
   3. Open the ZIP and run surface dock registry.reg. Approve the prompts.
   4. Restart the Surface.
   5. Reconnect the Dock and monitors and test again.
4. Check cables, adapters, and monitors
   • Verify each monitor works by connecting it alone through the dock.
   • Try different video cables or adapters if used.
   • If possible, test the dock and cables with a different external display to rule out failing monitors, as suggested in the external display troubleshooting article.
5. General external‑monitor troubleshooting
   If the setup was working and then started failing multiple times per day, also try:
   • Use Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver when the screens go black (from “Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows”).
   • Restart the device fully (Shut down → power on) and retest.

If, after firmware updates, dock reset, cache clear, and cable/monitor checks, the displays still frequently drop to “no input,” the dock hardware or one of the monitors/cables is likely failing and should be serviced or replaced.

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References:

• Use Surface Dock 2
• Update your Surface Dock
• Troubleshoot Surface Dock or Surface Docking Station
• Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display
• Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows
• What to try if your Surface screen is flickering, distorted, or has other display issues