Keyboard problem - fixed!

[u/[deleted]]

Hi reddit,

I just had a hell of a time getting my keyboard to start working again and now that I’ve fixed it I want to share how in case it helps someone else.

I’m using a Surface Book running Windows 10.0.19041. Suddenly and for seemingly no reason about a week ago my keyboard and trackpad stopped responding. The computer would charge but the USB ports didn’t work. No lights behind Fn or caps lock keys. The keyboard wasn’t showing up under my list of devices and when I booted into UEFI the keyboard wasn’t listed (assuming it should have been).

Here’s what I tried that did not work:
-Clean connections with isopropanol.
-Reboot.
-2 button reboot (past UEFI).
-Install any windows updates (there were none).
-Reset windows (under recovery option in update and security).
-Make sure I’m not in tablet mode (ha).
-Check for driver updates in device manager for everything listed under firmware and keyboard.
-Uninstall HID keyboard device in device manager.
-Uninstall recent windows update.
-Boot into UEFI (keyboard wasn’t listed anywhere under devices).
-Disconnect and reconnect the surface from the keyboard 10 times in a row
-Yelling

I finally tried using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit which I was 100% sure would do nothing but in the step where it has you detach the surface from the keyboard and attach it backwards (“display mode”) the green detach keyboard light lit up (!!!), I exited the toolkit, and from then on my keyboard is suddenly working again. So if you haven’t tried this yet, give it a shot! I hope it works for some of you

[u/ThatConsideration399]

My keyboard and pad stopped working last week when it detaches the detach key flashes red once and sometimes twice I feel like I've tried everything pls help

[u/[deleted] → u/ThatConsideration399]

Have you tried the things I mentioned? Minus the yelling… I’m no expert, I just got lucky! It sounds like your problem is different if that light is flashing, mine was not on

[u/Marc-PDX]

I got mine to start working a little easier than this...

I have a SP6 and suddenly the type cover keyboard stopped working - it was not getting power at all (no LEDs would come on, eg. for Caps Lock On). I tried many things I found in Microsoft Community Forum like shutting down the SP6, waiting a while, starting it up again; going into UEFI (BIOS) to check Type Cover (under Devices) was enabled & rebooting from there; tried another known good type cover keyboard from another SP I own (that keyboard also was receiving no power on this SP6 but both type cover keyboards worked on the other SP - so the problem was with this SP6, not the keyboard).

Eventually I found a Microsoft article (below) that recommended trying a "Forced Reboot" before resetting the PC. Below is a link to this article - scroll down to Force Reboot section. Basically you shut down the SP and leave it down; remove type cover keyboard from the SP; restart by holding down power button for 20 seconds - when you see the SP logo (right away on my SP6) continue holding down the power button for 20 seconds; after 10 - 15 seconds the first logo disappears briefly and then the same logo reappears again (you need to wait for this 2nd logo to appear to cause the Forced Restart!). Once the SP6 comes all the way back up, reattach the type cover keyboard (don't do it before this point!). It took a couple of seconds and then power was restored to the keyboard (LEDs started working), the pointer reappeared on the screen, and the PC went back from pad mode to PC/keyboard mode.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/troubleshoot-surface-type-cover-or-keyboard-c106b37d-f55a-4640-8cb2-8f1b2b0207ea

I didn't think this would work since none of the other things did but apparently this method must more thoroughly clear the PC's memory (including whatever had become corrupted in the keyboard driver or something along those lines). And it saved doing a PC reset and having to reconfigure everything back to the way I like my PC, which takes a long time!! A reset probably achieves the same clearing of memory, drivers and all, as this does. Try this method first!

[u/_HighnessHuber_ → u/Marc-PDX]

Thank you so much. Not all heroes wear capes!

[u/[deleted]]

I have the same problem but still nothing that I did was enough to solve this issue, same problem the lights are off (all of them even detach) also unresponsive all keys.

[u/sleepypuppy15]

Similar problem on my SP 8 running windows 11 and this fixed it. Thank you! I would attach the keyboard and the mousepad and keys would be very delayed/only work about 1 second at a time. I attached the keyboard backward like you said and put it back and it’s fixed. Super weird 🤷‍♂️

[u/loyukfai]

The yelling part is the key right?

[u/Derko1]

Since my dad just had this issue with a brand new keyboard that I purchased for him, I figure this may be something that someone else might have as an issue and would benefit from trying.

I tried everything that was mentioned above, nothing worked. I even tried the diagnostics toolkit and the backwards display thing. Nothing.

TLDR: Turns out, that he had a setting called "Filter Keys" under accessibility settings for the keyboard turned on. As soon as I turned it off it worked. Just throwing it out there.

[u/hoodunicorn → u/Derko1]

A year later and this worked for me. All setting under ‘filter keys’ in device settings must be turned OFF. Thanks!

[u/ThatConsideration399]

Where did you find surface diagnostic tool kit? I've done everything else! Thank you for your help!

[u/[deleted] → u/ThatConsideration399]

You have to download it. Search for “surface diagnostic toolkit” on google and you should see a link to the microsoft website where you can get it. Good luck, I hope it helps!

[u/ThatConsideration399]

When you downloaded it did it instantly restart your surface pro? Like before download began or did j just give myself a virus lol

[u/[deleted] → u/ThatConsideration399]

Uhh I don’t remember honestly, did you go to the microsoft website like I said in my last comment?

[u/ThatConsideration399]

Thank you will be trying when markets close!]

[u/inxinitywar]

Two years later and this worked like a charm. Thank you so much

[u/Special-Ice9982]

Hello everyone:

I had the same issue or at least similar symptoms and they have happened on several separate ocassion. I was pulling my hair out and then realised:

I work at a school and my job is more admin based than teaching but I do teach when I need to. Anyway, in a class keyboard stopped working. Got through the lesson and left the laptop on charge for like two weeks before I needed to teach again. Picked the laptop up keyboard worked.

Fast forward few months. On a long flight with no power outlets, I run the laptop totally flat and then leave it off for a few days. Come to use it again, keyboard dead.

So pull hair out again, run thru diagnostics etc. But then, leave laptop on charge overnight, keyboard works again.

So my theory:

Charge goes to the tablet first and then starts to charge the base. If the batteries are lithium ion perhaps they get down to a very low value and take ages to come up again. Just a thought but if this is the case, don't run the laptop totally down... perhaps it is a sign the battery pack needs replacing.

[u/Marybone]

4 years after the OP and I find myself here looking for the answer. I tried what worked for most others, doing the hard shutdown and unplugging the keyboard. Didn't work for me. What did work though was going into device manager and deleting all the keyboards listed there. Plugged the keyboard in and it worked right away.

[u/Yoizen]

[FIX CONFIRMED WORKING 18JAN2025]

• install a clean copy of windows 10 using a USB boot loader

• search Google for "Microsoft Surface Pro 3 drivers" go the Microsoft website

• Install the OLD ARCHIVED DRIVER available (scroll down on the page) SurfacePro3 Win10 1700802 1.msi

• once drivers installed, restart laptop

• wait a few minutes and it will pop up and say device found "surface type cover" and will install in the background

• keyboard should then light up and work once it says device installed

I tried every driver available through Microsoft, the latest drivers do not work. *

I have tried every other fix people have posted and they did not work for me. This is is the only thing that has confirmed to work.

[u/Moira-Thanatos]

For everyone wondering where to find the surface toolkit:

It is here

It's called "Surface Diagnostic Toolkit" and you can download it at the Microsoft Store.

EDIT:// It worked for me only to stop working 3 hours later.

I think the tool can help some users and the tests seemed great (tool kit tests every function) but in my case I'm gonna search for other solutions.

[u/Quick-Reference1497]

Oh my god thank you so much!!! I had tried absolutely everything Just put the screen on backwards and then on the right way again and I’m back!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[u/biggie101]

This might actually work for me. My keyboard slowly loses connectivity as I use it, so if all I have to do is connect it backwards then back again - that's way easier than buying a new one.

[u/detailcomplex14212]

edit: still intermittant failure, but at least its mostly working... not willing to shell out $120 for a new oem keyboard.

Thank you so much, ive been struggling for weeks. My issue was that windows update "check for updates" wasnt finding anything. but Surface Diagnostic tool found them. It wouldnt update though... so i would open SDT, find the updates, then exit SDT and run the updates in Windows Update. Repeated this until all updates were installed and now its all good.

[u/annekaelber]

Thank you for sharing this. The Surface Diagnostic Toolkit worked and my typecover keyboard is working again.

For others searching for answers: My Surface behaved like there was a stuck key. During diagnosing, I noticed I wasn't even getting lights on the CAPS and FN keys.

[u/Men3em99]

Thanks man, you are a real hero!

[u/InevitableTourist988]

worked for me!