Many Surface users are having issues with their keyboards. Their Surface keyboard or Type Cover isn’t responding properly or has become totally unresponsive.

This is a very annoying issue. And trying to fix it can be just as annoying, because you’ll spend a lot of time reading suggestions on the Internet, and most won’t work.

But don’t worry! The following are a few methods that have helped many other Surface users fix their keyboard.

Try these fixes:

1) Download and Install Driver Easy. 2) Run Driver Easy and hit the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will scan out problematic drivers on your computer very quickly. 3) Click on the Update button next to your Surface keyboard to download the latest and correct driver for this device. FINALLY FOUND THE SOLUTION!!!!!!

You don’t need to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

  1. Reset your Surface

Method 1: Reboot your Surface

If your Surface keyboard doesn’t work, the first thing you should try is to restart your Surface:

1)Disconnect your keyboard

2) Restart your Surface

3) Reconnect your keyboard.

If this method works for you, you will be able to use your keyboard now.

Method 2: Perform a two button shutdown

There may be corruption issues with your tablet hardware that interfere with your keyboard, and a simple restart is not enough to get rid of them. You need to perform a two button shutdown or force a shutdown to turn off your tablet completely.

You can perform a two button shutdown only if you are using a Surface Pro and Surface Book. To do so:

1) Press and hold the power button on the edge of your device for around 30 seconds and then release it.

2) Press and hold the power button and the volume-up (+) button on the edge of your Surface at the same time for about 15 seconds and then release them. (Do NOT let go the buttons when the Surface logo pops up on the screen.)

3) Wait for about 10 seconds.

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4) Power on your Surface. If this methods solves your problem, your keyboard will be recovered.

* For Surface 3, 2 or RT, you need to force a shutdown instead:

Press and hold the power button of your device and release it after 10 seconds. Then power on your device to see if this method works.

Method 3: Update or reinstall your driver

The keyboard of your Surface may fail to work if you are using the wrong keyboard driver or it is out of date. So you should update or reinstall your driver to see if it fixes the problem. If you don’t have the time, patience or skills to update or reinstall the driver manually, you can do it automatically withDriver Easy.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can download and install your drivers by using either Free or Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes only 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1) Download and Install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and hit the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will scan out problematic drivers on your computer very quickly.

3) Click on the Update button next to your Surface keyboard to download the latest and correct driver for this device. You can also hit Update All button at the bottom right to automatically update all outdated or missing drivers on your computer (this requires the Pro version — you will be prompted to upgrade when you click on Update All).

You can also use Driver Easy to uninstall drivers (Pro version required). This is useful especially when you are trying to remove any driver causing trouble and reinstall it.


4)
Restart your computer and see if this fixes your keyboard.

Method 4: Reset your Surface

There may be some faulty files or configurations on your system that cause your keyboard issue. Resetting your device can help you clear these.

1) Go to Start Menu, and select Settings.

2) Select Update & Security.

3) Select Recovery.

4) Click Get started.

5) Choose either to keep your files and apps or to remove everything. (It is recommended that you choose to keep your files first and see if this resolves your problem. If it doesn’t, do all the steps above again, and then choose to remove everything.)

6) Follow the instructions to reset your Surface.

7) Start your Surface and check if you can use your keyboard again.

Two types of updates keep your Surface performing its best: Surface updates for hardware, also known as firmware, and Windows 10 software updates. Both types install automatically as they become available. If you have any questions or problems with an update, here’s some info that might help.

Let's walk through the update process for a Surface device that's running Windows 10 starting with preparation of your equipment and internet connection.

Before you begin updating

Attach your Surface Type Cover or Surface docking station (if you have one) so it gets the latest updates, too.

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Make sure you have an internet connection, preferably Wi-Fi or Ethernet, which are the best for downloads. If you can’t install updates, you might have a connection problem. Fix network connection issues in Windows

If you can't use Wi-Fi, there are some alternatives:

  • Use an Ethernet connection with the Surface Dock or Ethernet to USB adapter.

  • If you have an LTE-enabled device, turn off Set as metered connection to get all updates over your mobile broadband connection. Get help with metered internet connections

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Plug your Surface into an outlet, and make sure your Surface is charged to at least 40 percent before installing updates. Keep your Surface plugged in and turned on while it's updating.

Update Windows 10

After following the preparation steps, see Check for Windows updates to see available updates and manage your options. For more info, see Trouble installing Surface and Windows updates?

Update Surface drivers and firmware

After following the preparation steps, and if you are unable to check Windows Update, download update files manually for any Surface device.

To select and update your Surface device, see Download drivers and firmware for Surface.

Note: Installation time varies, depending on the speed of the internet, the number of updates, and the size of the update files.

Problems installing updates?

If you have additional issues trying to install Surface driver/firmware updates, see Trouble installing Surface updates?for additional troubleshooting options.

More update info

To learn about the Surface updates released so far, see Surface update history.

To see which Windows and Surface updates you've already installed, see Windows Update: FAQ, How do I see installed updates on my PC?

If you're looking for Windows 10 updates on a PC, rather than Surface, you can go right to Update Windows 10.

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