How to Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor

Whether you want to do more than one task at a time or watch your favorite videos/movies on a big screen, you need to connect your Surface Laptop to an external monitor or TV. You can do it easily if you have done it earlier. However, you can face some issues or wonder how to do it if you are going to connect your Surface Laptop to an external display (monitor or TV) for the first time. Know the ways how to do it. The ways are especially for Surface Laptop 3, 4, and 5 or later with Windows 10 or 11 operating system.   

Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor with USB-C and HDMI Adaptor or Dongl

It is possible that your modern monitor would have an HDMI port. Some Surface Laptop models have a USB-C port instead of an HDMI port. By using an HDMI adaptor or dongle, you can connect your Surface Laptop to an external display. Here are the steps to follow: 

• Insert the one end of the USB-C into your laptop, especially the smaller end. 

 

• Insert another end of the HDMI cable into the dongle/adapter, especially to its larger end. It is the end that is not connected to your laptop. 

 

• Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port of an external monitor. Before plugging in, check its label. The label must be an HDMI port.  

 

• Change the display of your Surface Laptop to Use the Second Screen or Extend. For it, press the Windows icon and the P key together on your keyboard. Click on the desired one from the displayed options.    

 

• Select the orientation you want for the display on the second monitor or display screen and tap on the Apply option. 

 

Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor with USB-C to VGA Adaptor or Dongle

You can connect your Surface Laptop to an external display with a USB-C and IVA Adaptor/Dongle. The steps you need to follow are mentioned below:

• Plug in the smaller end of the USB cable ‌to your laptop. The USB-C port will be on either side of your laptop.  
• Take the bigger end of the VGA adapter/dongle and connect it with the VGA cable. Screw the cable for secure connection to the adapter.
• Plug the other end of the VGA cable into the monitor you want to connect to your Surface Laptop. 
• Readjust your settings as you see a signal on the monitor.  

Connect a Surface Laptop to a Monitor with USB-C Dongle 

Some adapters or dongles have both VGA and HDMI ports. If it is with you, connect your laptop by following the above-mentioned ways. The steps you need to follow will be the same, and the main thing is that the cable is different. There is no need to worry. You will do it easily by following the steps mentioned above.    

Connect to a Surface Laptop to a Monitor with a Surface Dock 

USB-C to VGA dongles and USB-C to HDMI are ideal ways to establish a connection between your Surface Laptop and an external display (monitor or TV). However, Microsoft offers you another option for connecting your Surface Laptop to another monitor. The option is Surface Dock. It allows you to use the Surface Connect Port to establish a connection between your laptop and another monitor. For this, 

• Connect the Surface Connect Port to a power supply board. 
• Plug the Surface Dock into your Surface Laptop. 
• Connect the Dock and monitor with a USB-C or HDMI cable. 
• Adjust display settings as you see a signal on the external monitor.