Share via

which charger and cord for surface 3 bought in 2016

Steve McGuire 20 Reputation points
2025-09-28T15:35:23.9433333+00:00

I have a Surface 3 128gb I bought in 2016. It has gone dead, and I cannot find the correct charger or cord. I need to buy one online but unsure of the specs required. I have no model number but i have the 12 character serial number.

Surface | Surface Laptop | Power and battery
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Noel Macadangdang 16,810 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-28T16:18:45.16+00:00

    Hi Steve,

    Thank you for sharing your question. I understand that you wanna bring your old Surface 3 (the 128GB one you bought back in 2016) back to life, but you can’t find the original charger, and I am here to help.

    Based on my knowledge and research, Surface 3 (not the Pro) charges with a micro USB, not the magnetic kind the Surface Pros use. Microsoft gave the Surface 3 a 13W charger back in the day, but folks have had better luck with a bit more power, like a 15W or 18W charger that does Power Delivery (PD). Just a heads up, not all micro USB cables and chargers are the same. Some of those off-brand ones don't give enough charge and slow.

    Since Microsoft doesn’t sell the original Surface 3 charger anymore, your best bet is to grab a decent third-party micro USB charger that’s got the right power. Now, if your Surface 3's micro USB port is busted, you could try a Surface 3 Docking Station. It can charge it through its own special port.

     

    May I also ask, is the micro USB port on your Surface 3 still good? Or is it damaged? Also, would you be OK with using a docking station if the port isn’t working right?

     

    Let me know if you have more info or questions. I'm happy to help

     

    Best Regards,

    Noel

    1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Barb Bowman 80,700 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-09-28T17:01:18.7766667+00:00

    Amazon sells a 13W Surface 3 charger https://www.amazon.com/Surface-AC-Replacement-Microsoft-Cable-1-5m/dp/B074W6XFM8/?th=1 Bear in mind that if your Surface 3 has not been used in a long time, the battery could be depleted beyond the point where it may not charge at all. Amazon also has the original Microsoft Surface 3 dock https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Docking-Station-compatible-GJ3-00001/dp/B00VGJI1RS

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.