2 Easy Ways to Connect Microsoft Surface to a TV or Display

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Project your Microsoft Surface laptop or tablet to your TV with this easy guide

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 2, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using Wired Connection
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• Connecting Wirelessly
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• Video
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• Q&A

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Connecting your Microsoft Surface to a TV will allow you to make photos, videos, and presentations exponentially bigger and possibly clearer. You can also watch movies to enjoy the movie on a bigger screen. You'll just need an HDMI cable and Mini DisplayPort/USB-C adapter to link the Surface and the TV. This wikiHow will show you how to connect a Microsoft Surface device to a TV, monitor, or projector wired or wirelessly.

Things You Should Know

• Purchase a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or USB-C to HDMI adapter. Make sure the TV is turned on.
• Connect one HDMI end to the TV port and one end to the adapter. Connect the adapter to the Surface.
• To connect wirelessly, purchase a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter and plug the cables into the proper port.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Wired Connection

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1. 1
   Purchase an adapter. To connect a Microsoft Surface device to a TV, you must have the proper adapter. Check your device to see if you have a Mini DisplayPort and/or a USB-C port. For the best experience, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or USB-C to HDMI adapter.

   • Mini DisplayPort to HDMI recommended devices: Surface 3, Surface Pro (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Surface Studio, Surface Laptop (1, 2), and Surface Book.
   • USB-C to HDMI recommended devices: Surface Studio 2, Surface Book (2, 3), Surface Go (1, 2, 3), Surface Laptop (3, 4), Surface Laptop Go (1, 2), Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro (7, 7+, 8, Pro X).
   • You can use Mini DisplayPort to VGA or USB-C to VGA, but these adapters will not have audio support.
2. 2
   Plug one HDMI end into the TV port. If you're using a VGA adapter, plug the VGA end into the TV port.

   • Make sure the TV (or monitor or projector) is turned on.
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3. 3
   Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the adapter. The adapter will be the middle component of your connection.
4. 4
   Connect the adapter to your Surface. Make sure to connect the proper part of the cable into the correct input.

   • If you're using Mini DisplayPort, this is the small square with a rounded bottom. If you're using USB-C, this is the thin oval.
   • Your Surface is now connected to the TV.
5. 5
   Adjust the projection (optional). By default, the Surface's screen should be mirrored on the TV. If you want to change this, do the following:

   • Open the Action Center. Select the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right corner, or swipe left on the screen.
   • Select Project.
   • Select PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only.
   • Confirm the new selection.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Connecting Wirelessly

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1. 1
   Purchase an adapter. If you want to use Miracast to connect wirelessly to a screen, you must have a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. These can be purchased from the Microsoft Store.

   • Before connecting wirelessly, make sure to update your Windows device.
2. 2
   Plug the HDMI end into the TV port. Make sure the TV (or monitor/projector) is turned on.
3. 3
   Plug the USB end into the TV port. If you don't have a USB port on your TV, you can use a standard USB Type-A charger with 5W (5V/1A).
4. 4
   On the Surface, open the Action Center. Select the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right corner, or swipe left on the screen.
5. 5
   Select Connect. This will be in the right panel. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + K to quickly connect to a wireless display.
6. 6
   Select the adapter. You'll see a list of wireless displays or adapters available for connection. Be sure to select the correct one.

   • Your Surface is now connected to the TV.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Where is the Action Center?

  

  Aasim

  Top Answerer

  The Action Center can be accessed by swiping from the left or tapping the Action Center button.

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