Troubleshoot problems with USB-C on Surface
Applies To
SurfaceHere's some info about USB-C ports on Surface and troubleshooting tips. Surface devices with a USB-C port can:
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Charge external devices
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Charge your Surface
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Display video on external monitors
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Transfer files
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Use external devices compatible with USB-C
The steps on this page apply to the following devices:
Surface Book 2 and later, all Surface Go models, Surface Laptop 3 and later, all Surface Laptop Go models, all Surface Laptop Studio models, Surface Laptop SE, Surface Pro 7 and later, all Surface Pro X models, and Surface Studio 2 and later.
USB-C port troubleshooting
If you're having trouble with the USB-C port on your Surface or a USB-C adapter, try this first.
Unplug your USB-C device, then shut down your Surface by selecting Start > Power > Shut down. After 10 seconds, press and hold the Power button for about 20 seconds until the Windows logo appears, disappears, then appears again. After that, plug in your USB-C device again.
Note: For some information about troubleshooting USB-C problems in general, see Fix USB-C problems in Windows.
My external device is not charging
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If you’re using a USB-C hub, try plugging just the USB-C device directly into Surface.
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Unplug and plug it back in.
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Use the cable that came with your device. Not all USB-C compatible cables support all features.
My USB-C charger is not charging Surface
Ensure that you are using a USB-C PD charger that provides at least the same wattage as the power supply that was designed for your Surface. For more info, see USB-C and Fast Charging for Surface.
My video is not showing on my external monitor
For more info, see Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display.
My device is not recognized
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If you’re using a USB-C hub, try plugging just the USB-C device directly into Surface.
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Unplug and plug it back in.
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Use the cable that came with your device. Not all USB-C compatible cables support all features.
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If the device came with a power supply, plug in the device.
Get the latest updates
You can quickly check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware using the Surface app.
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In the Surface app, expand Help & support to check the update status.
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If there are updates available, select the Check for updates button to open Windows Update and install the available updates.
Note: If you don't have the Surface app installed, you can download the Surface app from the Microsoft Store. When it has downloaded, select Start, search for Surface, then select the app from the list of results.
Additional USB-C adapter troubleshooting info
USB-C adapters are designed to be fully featured with Windows 10/11 and require a USB-C port on a PC configured for video output. Check your device specs to see if it supports USB-C.
USB-C adapters don’t have an on/off switch or LED lights to indicate power, errors, or functionality. If your adapter isn’t responding, remove it and restart your device, then try using the adapter again.
Related topics
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