P2419HC, Surface Laptop 3, via USB Type-C

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@JSWCUK   I rather doubt a Microsoft cable will make a difference if you've already tried USB-C and USB-C to HDMI connections.  If you haven't already though, try using a system that currently works with the display to install the firmware update for that display, available here.  If even that doesn't work, can you be more specific about the failure condition?  Does Windows Display Settings even register the presence of an additional display even if it's not using it?  If so, what happens if you try to force it to Extend onto that display?  If it's not even detected, does other functionality work, such as USB data (try plugging a flash drive into a USB port on the display) or system charging?

@jphughan thanks for your message. The monitor is on the latest firmware. Regarding the failure condition:

1. Windows Display does not register the monitor presence at all.

2. When I try to force it to extend, nothing happens. I get a 'No USB Type-C signal from your device' message on the monitor.

3. Other functionality eg USB drive, keyboard, mouse plugged into the monitor are not recognised. It wont charge the laptop either.

4. The cable is the Dell OEM cable that came with the monitor. I know it works because everything else I try connecting works fine

5. I can get the laptop to charge my phone via the USB-C, but that's about it.

I'm pretty sure this is an issue with this laptop or model of laptop. I'm tempted to return the laptop to Microsoft and request a repair, but suspect it will be returned with exactly the same issue.

@JSWCUK  If you haven't successfully tested your system with another USB-C display, I suppose a laptop issue is a possibility, but I suspect this will turn out to be an interoperability issue affecting the specific combination of that laptop and that display, or perhaps USB-C Surface systems and a handful of Dell displays.  There have been reports of various issues using various Mac systems with some Dell USB-C displays, for example, even though the Macs work fine with other displays and the Dell displays work fine with other systems.  Last I checked it was unclear exactly what the underlying cause of the problem was and therefore whose "fault" the problem was, but this may be an issue along those lines.  Given that no USB-C functions of the display are working, as opposed to just video not working, I'm guessing this is a firmware-level issue, in which case all I can suggest would be to keep an eye out for firmware updates to the display and the Surface, although I realize that doesn't help you today.  But on the off chance that having only video and power (and not USB data) might be a workable option for you at least temporarily, one thing you could try is this adapter.  If you were to use this, you'd plug the adapter into your system, run a DisplayPort cable between the adapter and display for video, and then plug the display's USB-C cable into the power passthrough port of this adapter to provide power.  Given that in this scenario, the adapter rather than the display would be performing USB-C negotiations with your system as well as a USB PD negotiation with the display for power, you might find that power and data work through the adapter even though neither works with a direct connection.  But you wouldn't have any USB data connectivity.  Obviously you shouldn't have to buy an adapter like this, but I just thought I'd suggest it if you might consider this worth the cost given the current circumstances.

@jphughan thanks for the advice. I strongly suspect that you are correct and that it's a firmware issue. When I spoke to the Dell support guys they pointed me to Microsoft and Microsoft support (who were, to be frank, useless) pointed me towards Dell.

I can't actually get the laptop to connect to any external display (TV or monitor) using the USB-C port and HDMI adaptors. I'll try the adaptor as you suggest and let you know how I get on.

The Surface Laptop 3 just offers two USB ports (1x USB Type-C, 1x USB Type-An), an earphone jack and the Surface Connector port (for charging). The XPS 15 offers the entirety of that in addition to a second USB Type-A port, a SD memory peruser and HDMI out, and one of its Type-C ports is Thunderbolt 3

@JSWCUK  Ok, well if you're unable to send an image out to a TV either, then that changes things.  That would definitely seem to tip the accountability scales over toward Microsoft.  And if you mentioned that issue to Microsoft Support, then I'm not sure why they would have directed you back toward Dell, as in that case the problematic behavior is no longer confined to Dell displays.  And realistically if you're having trouble with multiple displays/TVs and multiple cables/adapters, I'm now thinking a hardware issue is a more likely possibility -- unless maybe you find mass reports of issues with Surface Laptop 3 systems outputting video through various cables/adapters to various displays.  That would be quite a large scale firmware issue, though, which is why I'm now wondering if there's an issue with your specific unit.

@jphughan thanks for your response. Like I said, Microsoft support were useless and seemingly hung up on whether I was using a Microsoft USB-C adapter, which I told them wasn't relevant... perhaps it's a sales technique they use to sell accessories? Anyway I'll try some other adapters and try to find another USB-C monitor to test on, failing that I'll get Microsoft to swap the unit out. Thanks again for your help.

Did you fix it? 
I've got something similar. I'm using two P2421DC (chained) and a Surface laptop 3. 
In our organisation we have these monitors set up on flex desks. And one colleague is using them and on some it works and other it just doesn't get any signal from the usb-c devices. There is no logic..
It is so frustrating. 

Hi,

Any luck with resolution to this issue? Same set-up and exact same issue.

I have also noted that when I connect the monitor to the surface laptop via USB C, it stops power delivery / signal from all other ports on the monitor.

Definitely an issue with the monitor firmware.