My Microsoft surface keyboard isn't working

Question

the keyboard and touch pad that came with the computer are not responding and I can not use it for basic work and it is holding me back. How do I fix it?

Answer 1

Follow these steps in order to get the Surface keyboard and touchpad working again.

1. Check health and updates with the Surface app
   1. Open the Surface app: Open the Surface app.
   2. Expand Help & support and check the update status.
   3. If updates are available, select Check for updates to open Windows Update and install all available updates.
   4. In the Surface app, select Get help and describe the keyboard/touchpad issue so the app can run checks.
2. Detach and inspect the Keyboard or Type Cover (Surface Pro/Go only)
   1. Unplug the Surface and detach the Cover.
   2. Check the connector for debris or visible damage and gently clean if needed.
   3. Reattach the keyboard, making sure all magnets fully connect to the bottom edge of the Surface.
3. Force the Surface to restart For Surface Pro 5 or later, Surface Book 2–3, any Surface Laptop, Surface Go, or Surface Studio:
   1. Select Start > Power > Shut down and wait for it to power off.
   2. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds. If the logo appears, keep holding until it appears again.
   3. Turn it back on and test the keyboard and touchpad.
   For other Surface models, follow the steps in Force a shutdown and restart your Surface.
4. Confirm the keyboard is detected (LED test and UEFI)
   1. Press the Caps and Fn keys a few times and check if their LED lights turn on and off.
      • If the LEDs do not turn on, this points to a hardware issue and a service order for the keyboard/Type Cover is likely needed.
   2. If LEDs work but keys/touchpad still fail in Windows, test in UEFI:
      1. Turn off the Surface and wait 10 seconds.
      2. Press and hold Volume Up, then press and release Power while still holding Volume Up.
      3. Release Volume Up when the UEFI screen appears.
      4. Use the arrow keys to move through the left menu and confirm keys respond.
      5. On commercial (Surface for Business) devices with a Devices menu, temporarily disable the Type Cover port, exit UEFI, then re-enter UEFI and re-enable it to see if the keyboard starts working.
   3. If the keys and touchpad work correctly in UEFI but not in Windows, the issue is with Windows/software.
5. If it works in UEFI but not in Windows, reinstall Windows
   1. Go to Start, type reset, and select Reset this PC.
   2. Choose Reset this PC > Keep my files > Cloud download and follow the prompts.
   3. This reinstalls Windows, keeps personal files and built-in apps, but removes installed apps, drivers, and custom settings.

If the keyboard does not respond at all (no LEDs, no response in UEFI) after these steps, submit a service order for the Surface keyboard or Type Cover.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Surface Pro Keyboard or Type Cover