Typecover backlight turning off after 30 seconds

Question

Split from this thread.

Okay, please comprehend. WE KNOW ABOUT F1. WE KNOW ABOUT F7!!

Please give us instructions, or point us to someone who knows how to get the keyboard to STAY LIT?

Just purchased a Surface Pro 9 with a very spendy keyboard. Yes, I can turn it on and off. I WANT THE KEYBOARD TO STAY LIT! It turns off after 30 seconds. ****

Answer 1

Hi Rob Libby,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.

When the backlight turns off after leaving the typecover idle for 30 seconds, does it automatically turn on also when you tap or press a key? If yes, this is by default as a feature of the typecover to save power of the device. If you'd like the backlight to stay up at all times, kindly try doing these steps below and see if this helps:

Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices & Printers

Double-click on the Surface Typecover device to open its Properties

Go to its Hardware tab

Look for and double-click USB Input Device to open also its Properties window

Click Change Settings

Go to its Power Management tab

Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option

Click Ok to close each Properties window

Restart your Surface to make sure changes are applied

Kind regards,

Marrion

Answer 2

Hi Rob Libby,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.

When the backlight turns off after leaving the typecover idle for 30 seconds, does it automatically turn on also when you tap or press a key? If yes, this is by default as a feature of the typecover to save power of the device. If you'd like the backlight to stay up at all times, kindly try doing these steps below and see if this helps:

Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices & Printers

Double-click on the Surface Typecover device to open its Properties

Go to its Hardware tab

Look for and double-click USB Input Device to open also its Properties window

Click Change Settings

Go to its Power Management tab

Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option

Click Ok to close each Properties window

Restart your Surface to make sure changes are applied

Kind regards,

Marrion

Hi Marrion,

Thank you for your reply.

No deal. I dont have those menu navigations. Im on Windows 11 (home for now). I searched for control panel, found hardware and sound, then selected Devices and Printers. The system then launched the new style Bluetooth and Devices screen like I clicked settings. From there i cannot discover any settings for surface typecovers.

Yes, after 30 seconds the keyboard goes to sleep and I have to click or tap somewhere to wake / lite it up. From an accessibility perspective its totally annoying. My eyesight is getting worse and I need a backlit keyboard one I dont have to touch, then get off where I was typing, use a mouse to get back to position.

This is my 3rd Surface Pro, Ive had one forever (ever with the video card issues) and it seems like Ive had a lot of trouble with the brand. I will probably return this setup this weekend and get a Lenovo Yoga.

You can close this ticket.

Thanks,

Rob

Answer 3

Hi Rob Libby,

Thank you for the response and sorry to hear that the steps suggested did not work. For this case, I suggest contacting our live support so we could have a remote session with the device and check further to address the concern on the keyboard backlight. You may reach them through these options below:

1: Through the Surface app

Open the Surface App and select Help & support > Get help.

Type in the problem you need help with.

Look at any available solutions offered and select Contact Support.

2: Through the Contact Us - Microsoft Support page

Go tohttps://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=10354&d=hvPq43orWVV6MIb5q8LX0B54LSw52WsgpnPasslMog&u=https%3a%2f%2fnam06%2esafelinks%2eprotection%2eoutlook%2ecom%2f%3furl%3dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsupport%2emicrosoft%2ecom%252Fcontactus%26data%3d05%257C01%257Cssri%2540microsoft%2ecom%257C54647b58c8ce44e7de8508dac19671af%257C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%257C1%257C0%257C638035149195769168%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3dc0IcXJ%252FClUZITEDrQL%252BRpSFlV8aXwkndcr%252F7XAvXSJs%253D%26reserved%3d0Contact Us - Microsoft Supporthttps://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=10354&d=hvPq43orWVV6MIb5q8LX0B54LSw52WsgpnPasslMog&u=https%3a%2f%2fnam06%2esafelinks%2eprotection%2eoutlook%2ecom%2f%3furl%3dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsupport%2emicrosoft%2ecom%252Fcontactus%26data%3d05%257C01%257Cssri%2540microsoft%2ecom%257C54647b58c8ce44e7de8508dac19671af%257C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%257C1%257C0%257C638035149195769168%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3dc0IcXJ%252FClUZITEDrQL%252BRpSFlV8aXwkndcr%252F7XAvXSJs%253D%26reserved%3d0and select Devices.

Choose your preferred support method.

Type in the problem you need help with.

Look at any available solutions offered and select Contact Support.

Kind regards,

Marrion