Set up the Surface Connect to USB-C adapter

No, the Surface Connect to USB-C adapter is only compatible with the specific Surface devices mentioned in this article. Newer Surface devices come equipped with a USB-C port on the device itself. 

You need to have a dock that has a USB-C port. The Surface Connect to USB-C adapter can work with different USB-C docks from various manufacturers.

The adapter can use a USB-C dock or charger that supplies a minimum of 12V and 27W of power. If your USB-C dock or charger supports these power requirements, you can charge your Surface using that dock or charger. To find out how much power your dock or charger supplies, check the manufacturer’s website for the model you have.

On your Surface, on the right side of the taskbar in Windows 10, select the Battery  icon. This will provide status for charging and your battery.

• If your USB-C charger or dock meets or exceeds the minimum power requirements, the status should be Plugged in, Charging, Connected, or Fully charged.

• If your USB-C charger doesn’t meet the minimum power requirements, the status will indicate that your Surface is running on battery and not connected to power. In this case, use the power supply that came with your Surface instead of the USB-C dock or power supply.

• If your USB-C charger or dock only meets the minimum requirements, the status will indicate that your PC is plugged in, but not charging. To charge your Surface, use the power supply that came with it.

For more info about fixing USB-C problems in Windows, see Fix USB-C problems.

Try one or more of the following:

• Make sure your dock is plugged into a power outlet.

• Check to make sure the mouse, keyboard, and display are connected securely to the dock.

• Disconnect the adapter from your Surface, and then reconnect the adapter to your Surface. If that doesn’t work, disconnect the USB-C cable from your adapter and your dock, then reconnect it to see if that fixes the problem.

• If the steps above don't work, try the following:

1. Disconnect the Surface and the USB-C dock or charger from the adapter.

2. Flip the Surface Connect end and plug it back into your Surface.

3. Restart your Surface.

4. Restart your USB-C dock.

5. Unplug the USB-C cable from the adapter, flip the end of the cable, then plug it back in.

6. Unplug the USB-C cable from the dock, flip the end of the cable, then plug it back in.

When the light is off, this can mean that:

• The Surface Connect end of the adapter isn’t plugged into your Surface properly.

• The USB-C dock or charger doesn't meet the minimum power requirements.

To try to fix things, first make sure the Surface Connect end is connected to your Surface properly.

After that, check the specifications for your dock to make sure it meets the minimum power requirements.

Try one or more of the following:

• Make sure your dock is plugged into a power outlet.

• Make sure the video cable is securely plugged into your dock. On the other end, make sure the video cable is securely plugged into the external display.

• Disconnect the adapter from your Surface, and then reconnect the adapter to your Surface. If that doesn’t work, disconnect the USB-C cable from your adapter and your dock, then reconnect it to see if that fixes the problem.

• If the steps above don't work, try the following:

1. Disconnect the Surface and the USB-C dock or charger from the adapter.

2. Flip the Surface Connect end and plug it back into your Surface.

3. Restart your Surface.

4. Restart your USB-C dock.

5. Unplug the USB-C cable from the adapter, flip the end of the cable, then plug it back in.

6. Unplug the USB-C cable from the dock, flip the end of the cable then plug it back in.