Troubleshoot Surface Type Cover or Keyboard
Applies To
Surface DevicesHaving trouble with your Surface device keyboard, Surface Go Type Cover, Surface Pro Type Cover, or Surface Pro Keyboard?
You may see that the Keyboard or Type Cover:
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Doesn't appear to connect and doesn't respond at all
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Appears to disconnect or stop responding randomly
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It alternates between functioning properly and not working at all.
There are some solutions you can try:
First steps if your Surface Type Cover or Keyboard doesn't work
To try to resolve these issues, you can begin by following the steps below to get the latest updates, detach the Type cover or keyboard, force a restart, reattach the Type Cover or Keyboard, or confirm connectivity.
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.
If you have installed a custom or clean Windows image and your Keyboard is not recognized, you may need to install Keyboard drivers. Manually install the latest driver package for your version of Windows. For more info, see Download drivers and firmware for Surface.
Detach the Type Cover or Keyboard
Note: The following instructions are applicable only to Surface Pro or Surface Go.
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Unplug your Surface and detach the Cover.
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Make sure there's no debris, damage or anything that may inhibit a connection.
Force your Surface to restart
If you have a Surface Pro 5 or later, Surface Book 2-3, or any model Surface Laptop, Surface Go, or Surface Studio:
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Select Start > Power > Shut down and wait for your Surface to shut down.
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Now, press and hold the power button for 20 seconds. If you see the logo screen appear after a few seconds, continue to hold for the full 20 seconds until you see it again.
For the other Surface models, please see Force a shutdown and restart your Surface
Reattach the Type Cover or Keyboard
Note: The following instructions are applicable only to Surface Pro or Surface Go.
Re-attach the Cover, making sure that all the magnets touch the bottom edge of your Surface.
Confirm functionality
To confirm connectivity, press the Caps and Fn keys on your Surface Type Cover or Keyboard a couple of times to check whether the LED lights turn on and off.
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If the LED lights don't turn on, there might be a hardware issue the next option is to Submit a service order for your Type Cover or Keyboard.
If the LED lights turn on and the keyboard continues to not function properly, your problem may be with Windows and not the device itself. To verify in UEFI, do the following:
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Turn off your Surface and wait 10 seconds.
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Press and hold the Volume Up button—and at the same time, press and release the Power button.
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You'll see the logo screen on your screen. Continue to hold the Volume Up button. Release the button when the UEFI screen appears.
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Verify functionality:
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Press the up and down arrow keys to change what is selected on the left side menu to check if the keys work or not.
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If a Devices menu is present, access it and disable the Type Cover port from the Devices menu, then exit UEFI. Use the same steps above to boot back into UEFI and re-enable the Type Cover port to see if the Keyboard functions.
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Note: The Devices menu is available on Commercial SKUs (aka Surface for Business) devices only.
If the keys and trackpad are working correctly in UEFI, but not in Windows: The problem is likely with the software installed on the Surface, and you'll need to reinstall. See Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface
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Go to Start , enter reset in the taskbar, then select Reset this PC .
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Select Reset this PC > Keep my files > Cloud download and follow the rest of the prompts shown on screen. For more detailed steps and a video, see Restore or reset Surface for Windows .
Note: This process reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files and any apps that came with your PC. It removes changes you made to settings, as well as apps and drivers you installed.
Other issues
I hear a sound when the Ctrl or Alt keys are pressed or repeated keystrokes are ignored
If Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, or other Keyboard settings are altered, they may change how your Keyboard works. If it's an unintentional change, it can seem like your Keyboard is not working correctly. Recommended next step:
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For Windows 11: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard (scroll down to the Interaction section). To adjust the settings, toggle the settings to either on or off, depending on your preferences.
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For Windows 10: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard (scroll down to the Interaction section.) To adjust the settings, toggle the settings to either on or off, depending on your preferences.
The keys are cracked, damaged, or have fallen off
If your Type Cover or Keyboard has keys that are damaged, cracked or have fallen off the Keyboard (one key or more keys), it's likely experiencing a hardware failure, and you'll need to submit a service order. Recommended next step:
A key isn't responding or a key press is being repeated.
Inspect the keyboard for any foreign materials or lodged debris. Use a can of compressed air to blow dust and debris from the surface and from between the keys or gently vacuum the top of your keyboard using a dusting brush. If your Type Cover or Keyboard continues to repeat or drop keys, it's likely experiencing a hardware failure, and you'll need to submit a service order. Recommended next step:
If the Type Cover or Keyboard still won't work on your Surface, submit a service order
Please follow these steps to create a service order. The options that are available for your Surface Keyboard will be shown as part of submitting a service request.
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Go to Device service and repair and sign in with your Microsoft account.
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If your accessory is already registered, select it and follow the instructions. If your accessory isn't listed, select Don't see your device? to register it, then follow the instructions to get service.
You can find the serial number for your Surface Pro Keyboard (or Type Cover) near the left side or center of its spine (the area that attaches to your Surface).
If you need help finding the serial number of your accessory, please view Find the serial number on your Microsoft or Surface device.
Note: If your Surface is a business device (owned by an organization), see Surface service options for Business and Education. Availability may be limited for some countries or products.
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