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Microsoft keyboard no longer connects automatically to Surface Pro Co pilot screen for desktop mode.

Julian Holmes 0 Reputation points
2026-06-16T16:30:30.0933333+00:00

My detachable microsoft keyboard with chargeable pen no longer connects with the microsoft surface pro co pilot screen. The magnetic connector pins are clean but there is no power I believe going to the keyboard as the pen in it's tray does not charge at all. Is there any way of proving the keyboard is at fault definitively.?

Surface | Accessories | Surface Type Cover
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  1. S.Sengupta 30,906 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-06-17T02:00:50.1166667+00:00

    The fact that the pen tray is not charging is a very strong indicator of a hardware-level power failure in the keyboard itself — because pen charging power comes entirely through the keyboard's pogo pin connector from the Surface. Here's how to confirm it:

    Press the Caps Lock and Fn keys on the keyboard a couple of times and check whether the LED lights turn on and off. If the LED lights do not turn on at all, Microsoft's own guidance confirms this indicates a hardware issue with the keyboard.

    If there's no LED response whatsoever, that's your definitive proof the keyboard has failed — no software fix will help.

    Turn off your Surface and wait 10 seconds. Press and hold the Volume Up button, then press and release the Power button. Continue holding Volume Up until the UEFI screen appears. In UEFI, try pressing the Up/Down arrow keys to navigate the menu. If the keyboard does not respond even in UEFI, the fault is definitively hardware — it's not a Windows or driver issue at all.

    If it also doesn't work in UEFI → keyboard is confirmed dead hardware.

    Before concluding it's dead, do one clean restart:

    Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds — even if the logo screen appears partway through, keep holding for the full 20 seconds until you see it a second time. Then reattach the keyboard firmly, ensuring all magnets contact the bottom edge of the Surface.

    The Slim Pen charges only through the keyboard's internal circuitry — it gets no power unless the keyboard itself is receiving and distributing power from the Surface.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-16T16:30:47.99+00:00

    To prove whether the Surface keyboard (and pen tray) is at fault versus the Surface Pro itself, follow these checks in order:

    1. Check keyboard power/LEDs
      Press the Caps and Fn keys a few times and see if their LED lights turn on or off.
      • If the LEDs do not light at all, this strongly indicates a hardware issue with the keyboard/Type Cover.
      • If the LEDs do light, the keyboard is getting power and the issue may be with Windows or drivers instead of the keyboard hardware.
    2. Check in UEFI (firmware) instead of Windows
      This separates hardware faults from Windows/software problems:
      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. In UEFI, use the keyboard:
        • Press the up/down arrow keys to move through the left-side menu.
        • If available on the device, open the Devices menu, disable the Type Cover port, exit UEFI, then re‑enter UEFI and re‑enable the Type Cover port to see if the keyboard starts working again.
      Interpretation:
      • If the keys and touchpad work correctly in UEFI, but not in Windows, the keyboard hardware (including power from the connector) is likely fine and the problem is with Windows/software on the Surface.
      • If the keyboard does not work in UEFI at all, this is strong evidence of a hardware fault in either the keyboard or the Surface connector.
    3. Use the Surface app to check device health and updates
      1. Open the Surface app (install it from Microsoft Store if needed).
      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. Use Get help in the Surface app to see if it detects any keyboard or accessory issues.
    4. Confirm it is not a Windows/software issue
      If the keyboard works in UEFI but not in Windows, the problem is likely software:
      • Use Reset this PC with Keep my files → Cloud download to reinstall Windows while keeping personal files and built‑in apps. This can resolve driver or OS issues that prevent the keyboard from working even though the hardware is fine.
    5. Definitive hardware confirmation and next steps
      Based on the above:
      • Keyboard LEDs off and no function in UEFI: very strong indication the keyboard/Type Cover (including the pen charging rail) is faulty.
      • Keyboard works in UEFI but not in Windows (even after reset): Surface hardware is likely fine; issue is software or drivers.
      To definitively treat it as a hardware failure and get it checked or replaced:
      1. Go to the Microsoft account | Select device for service page.
      2. Sign in and select the Surface device or register it if it is not listed.
      3. Follow the steps to submit a service order for the Surface Pro Keyboard/Type Cover.
        The service process will confirm the fault and provide repair/replacement options.

    If the Surface is out of warranty and the tests above point to a keyboard fault (no LEDs, no UEFI function, pen never charges), replacing the keyboard is the recommended resolution.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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