Problem Description:
Installed Synaptic Displaylink driver to run external monitor using the Surface displayport. It actually worked really well until it didn’t. I think I jostled something and the external monitor went blank. I reconnected but although the monitor recognized it was attached to a video source, the picture never showed again on the external monitor. The Surface pro stopped acknowledging the external monitor in the display settings. There are no error messages.
Relevant System Information:
The monitor is connected with a VGA to HDMI adapter to HDMI to HDMI micro adapter to HDMI micro to mini Displayport adapter to Surface pro displayport. ( I know…too many possibilities) But it did work.
What I’ve Tried:
Uninstalled and reinstalled multiple times
Unplugged all connections and reconnected
Tried a different monitor
Tried different connectors
I haven’t tried reinstalling the OS and don’t plan to yet.
One thing you need to know about the Linux kernel is that all drivers are included in the kernel…
…except when they’re not.
This is the case with Microsoft Surface devices which have custom Microsoft drivers. Therefore, in order to use most Microsoft Surface devices, you must use an entirely custom kernel.
That said, although I used to recommend it, I don’t anymore. It is now maintained by one person who hasn’t had time to maintain it and keep the latest security fixes. The last release of the Linux Surface kernel was over 3 months ago.
If I were you, I’d simply relegate that machine to running Windows only as it’s not worth the headaches or security risks. That said, if you wish to proceed despite these recommendations, simply go to the github repo I linked above where it provides installation instructions.
I know all about the Surface kernel and have used it successfully while playing with other distros on this machine. Its actually a machine that I experiment with and Ubuntu 26.04 has been the best Linux install that didn’t need the kernel change…nor did the kernel work with it when I tried it a few months ago. Ubuntu 26.04 has been extremely stable right out of the box…on screen keyboard, touch, bluetooth etc. I only tried installing an external monitor out of curiosity when another Surface Pro running Windows failed (waiting for a new battery). I really wasn’t expecting it to work, but as I said in my original post, It actually did for a while.
No, I won’t be reinstalling Windows because I am really happy with Ubuntu 26.04 and the extensions I’m using and will just wait until my other machine is up and running.