My Surface Pro 3 usb and external keyboard won't work!

Question

So here is my problem. I hadn't used my key board or USB (for mouse) in about a month. Then yesterday I tried to reattach my key board and found out it

Wasn't working. The lights behind the keys turned on, but no buttons would respond. I then tried to put my wireless mouse in the USB, and found that that didn't work either! I tested the mouse on a different computer and it worked fine, which means its a problem with my PC, not the external devices. I even tried the full reset method and they still wouldn't  work! I use my surface for school, and have had to type and edit all my essays with the touch key board. I need help ASAP!

Answer 1

Hello,

External devices may not be recognized for a few different reasons, let's try some troubleshooting to narrow things down. 

Firstly, have you installed the most recent Windows Updates? If not, that's always a good first step in solving Surface issues. You can find more info on how to ensure you have the most recent updates here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402350...

Once you ensure you have the latest updates, try a two-button shutdown with the keyboard and mouse attached. I assume you've done this because you said you did a full reset, but sometimes giving it another try can help the issue. If you're not sure if you did the full two-button shutdown, here's the steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/403628...

Once you do these, let me know how it goes. If they don't solve the problem there's more we can do to get this taken care of. If there's anything else I can be doing to best assist you just let me know. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi! Sorry it took me so long to reply,i was working on a project. Anyway, thank you so much for replying quickly. Sadly, I have tried both the recommended fixes, and neither worked.do you have any other ideas?

Answer 3

No worries for the long reply, everyone's pretty busy this time of year. Let's see if we can knock out a couple possibles by checking to see if the Surface is seeing the devices at all. To find that out, do this:

-Perform another two-button reset with the keyboard and mouse unplugged

-Turn on the Surface with them still unplugged

-Go to Device Manager

-Open the "Keyboards" and "Mice and other pointing devices" tabs

-Plug them in, and see if anything changes on that list

Let me know what happens, once we know this we'll be well along the way to narrowing this down. Thanks!

Answer 4

I have an apparently similar problem with my Surface Pro 3 docking station.  After several years of trouble-free function, all of the USB ports on it stopped working a few days ago for no apparent reason.  The USB port on the PC itself works fine, and the docking station still powers the PC, and still connects it using the micro port to an external monitor.  But the wired-in internet, the wifi USB stick (which connects it to my Logitech external keyboard), and the printer which is plugged into one of the USB ports).  

I've done the 2 button reset as advised above, but to no avail.  Help please.

Richard

Answer 5

I have an apparently similar problem with my Surface Pro 3 docking station.  After several years of trouble-free function, all of the USB ports on it stopped working a few days ago for no apparent reason.  The USB port on the PC itself works fine, and the docking station still powers the PC, and still connects it using the micro port to an external monitor.  But the wired-in internet, the wifi USB stick (which connects it to my Logitech external keyboard), and the printer which is plugged into one of the USB ports).  

I've done the 2 button reset as advised above, but to no avail.  Help please.

Richard

That should of course have said:  But the wired-in internet, the wifi USB stick (which connects it to my Logitech external keyboard), and the printer which is plugged into one of the USB ports) ON THE DOCKING STATION HAVE ALL STOPPED WORKING.