Have you been banging your head all over the internet, seeking the best way to relish a big-screen experience on your Surface Pro? Well, the quest ends right here. Finding Surface Pro users who strive for methods that can help them connect to a big monitor isn’t an unusual sight. Thankfully, getting the job done is no big deal.
Connecting Surface Pro to an external monitor is an easy but delicate process. You need to have all the accessories ready before sorting any connections. Moreover, proceeding according to the Surface Pro model you own is crucial. Once you’ve got all the requisites ready, crafting the final link is all about a few plug-ins and plug-outs here and there.
Don’t worry if everything sounds too complicated as of now. Just keep reading, and at the end of the coming discussion, you’ll be able to connect the Surface Pro to an external monitor seamlessly.
How To Connect Surface Pro to a Monitor
As already mentioned, connecting an external monitor to your Surface Pro isn’t that challenging. But, if you fail to stick to the appropriate approach, it might quickly become a headache. The best way to ensure everything goes according to the plan is simply dedicating time to understanding what I’m about to unfold.
Before anything else, though, keep in mind that the process depends on the variant of Surface Pro you own. Connecting an external display will take place via the USB-C port for those on the Surface Pro 7 or later models. On the flip end, Surface Pro 6 owners or anyone with an older variant will need to employ the Mini DisplayPort for the purpose.
Connecting an External Monitor to a Surface Pro 7 Device
Now that you’ve got enough information, let’s jump into the process with a discussion on connecting a Surface Pro 7 to a monitor. I’ve already mentioned that connections on newer devices can be concluded via USB-C Ports. The first thing that you’ll need to do is check whether your monitor comes with a USB-C cable or not.
Here is how you can sort the connection afterward.
- Boot up your Surface Pro 7.
- Go to the external monitor and power it on.
- Plug one of the ends of your USB-C cable into your Surface Pro and the other on the monitor. If your display lacks a compatible slot, try using an adapter for it.
As soon as you plug in the cables, your external display should get immediately detected by your Surface Pro. Voila! You now have your second display up and running.
Connecting an External Monitor to a Surface Pro 6 Device (or Older)
Although the basic flow remains the same, the procedure for older models, including the Surface Pro 6, differs slightly. The primary distinction is, in fact, the Mini DisplayPort.
It is critical to remember that the placement of the Mini DisplayPort connector isn’t a fixed entity; it can vary depending on the model or generation of the Surface device you have. However, the connector mostly sits on the display’s right-hand side when viewing from the front end.
If you’re willing to connect to a monitor that doesn’t fit any Mini DisplayPort, get yourself a compatible connector. While doing so, don’t confuse yourself with the regular DisplayPort size, as you’ll strictly require the Mini one.
After you’ve got all the accessories ready by your side, establishing the connection is just a matter of a few seconds.
- Boot up your device and supply power to the monitor.
- Plug the cable and the corresponding adapter into your Surface Pro’s Mini DisplayPort. Repeat the same for the other end, but connect it to the external monitor this time.
Your Surface Pro should immediately detect the newly connected monitor. If so, you’re ready to start using the second display.
After the connection, your system will duplicate the standard Surface display by default. However, you can always extend it according to your requirements.
Adding Multiple Displays to Surface Pro
All you need to add more than one display to your Surface Pro is the Microsoft Surface Dock. Here is how you can use it.
- Plug the Surface Dock into your Surface Pro. Establish the connection to the Surface Connect port.
- Plug the existing Mini DisplayPort cables into the Surface Dock. Repeat the same for the other ends of the compatible displays.
Wrapping Up
This is our guide on connecting Surface Pro to an external monitor. Irrespective of the model you own, the process is pretty straightforward. The only thing you need to take care of is the pieces of required accessories that vary according to the generation of Surface Pro you own. Connecting external displays is no longer challenging if you’ve dedicated your time to learn what I’ve laid out here.
