Windows Bluetooth keyboard problem

Question

I use a Surface Pro 9 from 2023 and the signature keyboard that I bought with it had broken twice so I switched to a bluetooth keyboard, I play games that are also mobile compatabile but whenever I play them intending to use desktop mode it switches to mobile mode and most of the game that has other games on it such as roblox recognises my laptop as a mobile and switches to mobile. I'm able to use the keyboard but for certain games it doesn't recognise it at all and makes the game unplayable basically I had already researched and tried to find multiple ways to help stop it but all attempts failed and I have no idea how to fix it I also looked within the settings and since Microsoft removed the manual disable for "Tablet Mode" I cannot play without them assuming my laptop is a mobile tablet and having to switch all the time anyone knows how to make your bluetooth keyboard the primary keyboard so that my laptop can tell the games code that my primary keyboard is the bluetooth keyboard thanks

Answer 1

Hi Houcheng Zhu, 

I can see why this has been frustrating, especially after your Signature Keyboard stopped working twice and your Bluetooth keyboard is still not being recognized properly in some games. 

To help narrow this down, could you let us know: 

• Does this happen in all games, or only in certain ones such as Roblox? 
• What is the brand and model of the Bluetooth keyboard? 
• If you try a USB or wired keyboard, does the same behavior happen? 
• When the game switches to mobile mode, have you touched the screen at any point before or during gameplay? 
• Which Windows version and OS build is currently installed on your Surface Pro 9? You can check this under Settings > System > About. 

In the meantime, please try the following steps: 

1. Check for Windows and Surface updates  

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates 
• Please install all available updates, including Optional updates if they appear, then restart the device. 

2. Make sure the keyboard is connected before launching the game 

• Before opening the game, confirm that the keyboard is already connected and it can type normally in a text field. 
• Then launch the game and see whether the behavior changes. 

3. Avoid touching the screen during testing 

• Please try launching and testing the game using only the Bluetooth keyboard or the touchpad or a mouse 
• Then check whether it still switches to a mobile layout. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding.  

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Answer 2

Windows does not provide a way to set a Bluetooth keyboard as a “primary” keyboard or to force games to treat a Surface Pro as a non‑tablet device based on the keyboard type. Games decide whether to use a “mobile/tablet” UI based on their own device detection logic (for example, seeing a touch‑first device or running on Windows in tablet‑style hardware), not on which keyboard is connected.

From the available guidance, only general Bluetooth and keyboard troubleshooting steps are supported:

1. Confirm the Bluetooth keyboard is correctly paired and powered:
   • Put the keyboard in pairing mode (usually by holding its pairing button for several seconds until a light blinks).
   • On the Surface Pro, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
   • Make sure Bluetooth is on, select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth, choose the keyboard, and complete pairing.
   • If the keyboard does not appear or connect reliably, remove it and pair again, and check or replace its batteries.
2. If prompted for a PIN when pairing and it is unknown:
   • Check the keyboard’s documentation or the device itself for a PIN.
   • If none is shown, try 0000 or 1234.
   • If there is no visible place to enter a PIN on screen, type 0000 on the Bluetooth keyboard and press Enter.
3. If the keyboard or mouse is slow or intermittently unresponsive:
   • Close open apps to reduce interference with the Bluetooth connection.
   • Check reported battery levels under Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
   • Restart the PC to refresh drivers.
4. If Bluetooth accessories are paired but not connecting correctly:
   • Remove the Bluetooth device and pair it again:
     • Press Windows logo key+I to open Settings.
     • Go to Bluetooth and devices > Devices.
     • Select the keyboard under the appropriate category, open More options, choose Remove device, confirm, then pair it again.

The behavior where games switch to a mobile/tablet UI and ignore keyboard input for certain titles is controlled by those games and is not configurable via Windows Bluetooth or keyboard settings in the material provided.

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems with your Surface mouse or keyboard
• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows