How to Fix Surface Keyboard Not Working Error on Windows 10

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Daphne to Windows 10

Surface keyboard or Type Cover not working with any key press or touchpad movement's error is not uncommon on Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 or the predecessor Surface laptops. When you tying or touching the trackpad, the whole type cover stays unresponsive, either the keyboard or the trackpad. Typically, the Surface Pro keyboard not working error is more likely to disappear after Windows 10 Anniversary Update on Surface Pro 3 and Windows 10 Creators Update on Surface Pro 4 laptops.

If you happen to get trapped in the Microsoft Surface keyboard or Type Cover no responding dilemma, you have below solutions to retrieve the keyboard back to normal performance.

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Read More: How to Fix Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Touch Screen Not Working

Method 1.Separate, clean and reinstall the protective cover of the surface type

Sometimes dust on the surface keyboard connector can cause the surface keyboard to not work properly. Simply clean the connector to solve this problem. To clean the connector, remove the type cover, but before removing and cleaning, make sure that the power is completely turned off and the power cord is unplugged.

You can use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the connectors on both sides (the connectors on the surface and the keyboard side). Moisten the cotton swab with alcohol and wipe the cotton swab on the connector. You can also use an eraser. Pick up the eraser and gently rub it back and forth on both sides of the connector. It will clean and make the connector glow like new. After cleaning the two connectors, reconnect the typewriter cover to your surface. Make sure that the connector is fully connected.

Method 2. Reboot the Surface Pro via the Two Button Shutdown to Fix the Surface Keyboard Not Working

Before performing the two button shutdown to fix Surface Pro keyboard not working issue, check whether your type cover is correctly connected to your Surface Pro 4/3. Try disconnecting the keyboard, rebooting, and then reconnecting it to the Surface laptop.

The two button shutdown can help to resolve some common Surface Pro system error like the type cover stops working, Surface Pro 4 touch screen not working, brightness issue, weak WiFi signal etc. Below is how.

Note: The Two-button restart is set for Surface Pro 3, 4 devices only. Don't use this process on Surface RT or Surface 2.

1. Press the power button as a normal shutdown.

2. Press and hold the volume up (+) button and the power button altogether for 15 seconds.

3. Once the Surface logo pops up, keep holding the buttons for more 15 seconds.

4. Release the two buttons and then wait for 10 seconds.

5. Then start your Surface Pro machine and check whether the keyboard’s functionality responds.

Method 3. Install the Microsoft Surface Pro Updates to Retrieve Your Surface Type Cover Keyboard

Make sure all the software and firmware is up to date on your Surface Pro device since the outdated Surface firmware and software may disconnect your Surface Pro type cover keyboard. You can run Windows Update to check for the latest updates.

1. Press the Windows shortcut keysWin+Ito open Windows Settings.

2. Choose the Update & Security.

3. Click Check for updates under the Windows Update category.

Then wait for the system to respond. It will check for updates and install them on the Microsoft Surface Pro laptop automatically.

Method 4. Update Surface Keyboard Drivers to Repair Surface Pro Type Cover Not Working Issue

The improper Surface Pro keyboard driver also could cause Surface Pro keyboard malfunctions, ceasing the type cover work. To update it and get the best-matched Surface cover driver for the Surface Pro laptop, you can manually download the Surface cover driver via Microsoft support page to repair Surface Pro 4 type cover not working hitch.

If you would like an easy channel to pack the Surface keyboard driver’s downloading and updating into a one-stop step, you could use Driver Talent, a popular driver issue troubleshooter, automatically downloading the most compatible Surface cover driver for Microsoft Surface Pro laptops.

Click the button below to get Driver Talent seamlessly and then update the correct Surface type cover keyboard drivers with 3 easy steps.

Download Now


Step 1. Scan Problematic Drivers for the Windows 10 Surface Laptop

Click "Scan" and Driver Talent will detect if the keyboard drivers of your Windows 10 Surface laptop are compatible.

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Step 2. Download and Update Surface Keyboard Drivers

Note: To avoid further system issues like blue screen, black screen etc., it is recommended to back up drivers before this step.

Click "Repair" to download and install the most compatible cover drivers for Microsoft surface device. Or you are able to get the most updated versions by clicking "Update".

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Step 3. Restart the Surface Pro Device

Reboot your computer to make the newly installed touchpad drivers take effect.

Method 5. Check Windows file errors

System files or driver files may be corrupted in Windows. This may be the reason why the surface keyboard is not working properly. But you don't have to worry about this problem can be solved. Windows itself provides a utility that will scan and verify errors in Windows system files. If it finds any errors, it will automatically try to fix it. You need to follow a few steps to check and repair Windows file errors.

Note: Before starting these steps, make sure your surface is plugged in, as this may take a while.

1. Search for "command prompt" in the search box on the taskbar.

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2. Even if you are logged in as an administrator, please select "Run as administrator".

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3. You may receive a warning, please click OK.

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4. In the command line, type SFC / Scannow and hit Enter.

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5. This will start the scanning process.

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6. Restart the computer after the scan to make it effective

Method 6. Reset Your Microsoft Surface Laptop

Should all the aforementioned solutions come out no avail on troubleshooting Surface Pro keyboard not working glitch, you may consider resetting your Surface tablet.

1. Head over to the Update & Security setting. (As the method 2, step 1-2 guides)

2. Click Get started under the Recovery choice.

3. Choose either keeping your files or removing everything when resetting the device.

4. Check if the keyboard issue persists on your Microsoft Surface laptop after the restoration completes.

That’s all for the Microsoft Surface keyboard not working troubleshooters. If you find more workarounds on the defective type cover not working problems on the Surface Pro devices, please share with us in the comment section below, or go to the OStoto official forum via the left menu on the page.


See Also:

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