Surface pro 4 type cover not working after the latest update

Question

My surface pro 4 is not working after I upgrade my windows to version 1909. I've tried everything suggested in Troubleshoot your Surface Type Cover or Keyboard. I've even tried a fresh install of the windows using bootable USB creating with windows media creation tool. However, my Type cover still does not work. I've checked the type cover with another surface and it was ok! So I am sure that the Type cover is fine.

The 'surface type cover filter' driver does not found in Device manager-->Keyboard. 

In Control Panel--> devices & printers there is no keyboard. My keyboard is not recognized by windows.

Since I purchased my surface pro I've faced a lot of problems usually after windows updates. I had the screen flickers problem. It still happens occasionally; especially when I use my device for more than 3 hours. Once my touch screen was not working and waste a lot of time. I could only fix it with a fresh install! But this time I've tried everything. I am exhausted right now! Any solution would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi helia rahimi,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Community.

I've even tried a fresh install of the windows using bootable USB creating with windows media creation tool. >> When you created the USB Recovery Image, did you use the Image downloaded from this page: Surface Recovery Image?

On the Device Manager, try to click View on top then select Show hidden devices. Check then if the Surface Type Cover Filter appeared.

Boot the device to the UEFI screen and check if the typecover issue occurs also on that screen. Check this page on How to get to the UEFI settings. This is for us to isolate if the issue is a hardware or software issue. Once you are in the UEFI screen, try to use the touchpad and arrow key in selecting options. After checking, just choose Exit > Restart now.

If the typecover works on the UEFI screen, this is just a software issue and should be fixed with the USB Recovery Image. Just to make sure with the USB Recovery Image, I'll include the steps below.

If the typecover still doesn't work on the UEFI screen, this is a hardware issue already. I would suggest that you Contact Support to check for replacement option.

Also regarding with the screen flicker issue that you are having on the Surface Pro 4, does it flicker like one of these scenarios described below? If yes, please check this page for more details on this issue: Surface Pro 4 screen flicker or scramble.

> Duplicate images that also appears static as a combined/interlaced image

> Image looks fuzzy or overlapping

> Display Image on the screen shifts either horizontally or vertically

USBRecovery:

         This option will reimage the entire device and reload Windows including the drivers and firmware. It is the most complete form of Reset and it will wipe out everything on the device so you might need to back up your files first. You will need also a 16GB/32GB of flash drive that must be formatted into FAT32 prior to downloading the Recovery Image. If you like to try, you can follow the steps provided below:

How to Download, Create and Use a USB recovery drive

To download the Recovery Image:

• You'll need a PC running Windows 7 or later or Surface Device.

1. Visit the page to Download the recovery image for your Surface
2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account
3. From the list of Surface devices available, select the device that you need a recovery image for

Please note that while you will only be presented with devices that are currently registered on your account, you will also be presented with the option to get an image for a different type of device. If you try to use this option, you will be prompted to enter the serial number for that device 4. Download the recovery image using the button on the page 5. When the download bar pops up at the bottom of your screen, save the file in a location you will be able to find it.

 Format USB Drive:

• Note: Formatting a recovery drive will erase anything that is already stored on your USB drive. Make sure to transfer any important data from your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a Surface USB recovery drive.

1. Insert your USB drive into the USB port of your PC.
2. From the desktop, open File Explorer
3. Tap and hold or right-click on the USB drive and choose Format
4. Select FAT32 as the file system and enter a Volume label to name the USB drive, such as RECOVERY, and then tap or click Start
5. Tap or click OK to erase the contents of the USB drive
6. Tap or click OK when the format is complete

Create a recovery drive:

1. On your Surface or PC, open recovery image that you downloaded by double-clicking it or right click then select Extract and then Extract all.
2. Select the USB drive you formatted earlier for the location and click Extract.

Use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface:

1. Shutdown the Surface
2. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port
3. Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker
4. Press and release the power button
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker
6. Surface will start the recovery software on the USB recovery drive
7. When prompted, choose your language options and keyboard layout
8. Select Troubleshoot
9. Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC.
10. If prompted, select Repartition the drives
11. If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive

If this answer your question, we highly encourage you to inform our Community by clicking on Yes or marking my post as an answer. This will help other members who may have the same issue as you. Otherwise, don't hesitate to update us so we can further assist you.

Kind Regards,

Marrion Y.

Answer 2

There are unfortunately many people with this issue (including a neighbor and a
friend). For most, the problem occurs after some random Windows Update. My
theory is that it isn't a particular update, but something in the update PROCESS
that corrupts the firmware somehow. Microsoft has not commented on this, nor
have they come up with a fix.
If it does not work in the UEFI using the arrow/cursor keys to navigate the
menus, or safe mode, no amount of reimaging will fix it. Cleaning the contacts
has not fixed this for anyone.
The UEFI settings can be adjusted only during system startup. To load the UEFI
firmware settings menu:

    1. Shut down your Surface and wait 10 seconds.
    2. Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface and at the same
time, press and release the power button.
    3. The Microsoft or Surface logo appears on your screen. Continue to
hold the volume-up button. Release the button once the UEFI screen appears.

See:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfaccesso-surfkeyboard/surface-pro-4-jul-2017-update-type-cover-not/1c188925-c234-4369-8c93-af74417534d1
and other threads

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3215225/microsoft-windows/surface-pro-4-type-cover-suddenly-stops-working.html
Your only official solution is to spend $599US for an out of warranty refurb
exchange which I don't recommend as it is way too much money and others report
that the SP4 refurbs have problems.
You can also investigate 3rd party type covers that use Bluetooth.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the Type cover does not work on UEFI. 

In Device manager after I checked to show hidden devices, another HID Keyboard Device appeared. I tried updating the driver but nothing happened. 

For USB Recovery Image I tried both the USB Recovery I've created when I first bought my surface and the USB Recovery Image on the web page that you mentioned before. I've tried everything that was on Microsoft webpages regarding my issue.

As for flickering, I've tried everything and the only solution that worked for me was opening, Task manager--> Process, and let it be on the screen to prevent flickers!

Answer 4

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, the Type cover does not work on UEFI. 

I think it is not a hardware issue! Microsoft should find a solution since it happened with an update it can be fixed with another one!

Answer 5

Hi. I am facing the Surface type cover not functioning for weeks without any workable solution from any source. Yesterday I tried to push Windows 10, version 2004 to my Surface Pro 3 after performed factory reset and to my surprise the type cover is working again after I heard a hardware install tone. Perhaps you should try the insider program -> release preview or wait for public release of Windows 10, version 2004 to solve the type cover issue. I hope this solution is helpful to you. Thank you.