A Surface Pro keyboard that isn’t working could be the result of an improper connection, outdated or faulty drivers, keyboard settings issues, problems with the operating system, or the fact that the keyboard is damaged or dirty.
While the Surface Pro is a versatile device that can be used like a tablet, many people prefer to attach a keyboard and use it like a lightweight laptop. Unfortunately, there may be times when you run into keyboard-related problems that stop you from doing so.
Without any further ado, this guide is going to go over a few reasons why your Surface Pro keyboard isn’t working, and how you can fix the issue.
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Key Takeaways
- If your keyboard isn’t working, it’s likely because it isn’t connected properly, the drivers are outdated, you have the wrong keyboard settings, there is a bug in your operating system, or the keyboard is damaged.
- Thankfully, there are plenty of solutions that can help repair these problems like reconnecting the keyboard, performing updates, changing settings, or getting the device and/or keyboard fixed or replaced.
- If you can’t identify the problem, you may need to take your device to a specialist to be inspected, or simply buy a new keyboard or device.
1. The Keyboard isn’t Connected Properly
The first reason why your Surface Pro keyboard may not be working is because of a poor connection. If there is dust, dirt, or other debris on the connectors or the connector port, it could be preventing the keyboard from being able to connect.
In addition to debris, you could have simply attached the keyboard incorrectly which is leading to the issues. The way to fix this issue is to simply disconnect the keyboard, clean the connection port and connector pins, and reconnect the keyboard.
You need to make sure that all the magnets touch and they all have a clean connection and are lined up properly. If it is a Bluetooth keyboard, you need to make sure that you have Bluetooth turned on so the keyboard can pair with the device without issue.
2. Your Keyboard Drivers are Faulty
Every piece of hardware in a computer has a driver that is essentially a group of files that tells that hardware how it should work. If the drivers for your keyboard are either outdated or experiencing an issue of some kind, it could lead to the keyboard not working as it should.
The solution here is to simply uninstall and reinstall your drivers. To do so, you first need to go to the Device Manager and find the Keyboards option, and then expand it. Next, right click on the specific driver(s) for the keyboard and uninstall it.
Once this is done, you can right click and select Scan for hardware changes in order to begin the reinstalling of the drivers. This should reset any potential problem that was occurring, and make sure that your drivers are up to date.
3. Problems With the Keyboard Settings
Next, the issue could be related to the keyboard settings of your device. You have a lot of options when it comes to customizing your experience with a keyboard on your Surface Pro. It is possible that there is an option that is enabled that should be disabled or vice versa.
This could be anything from sticky keys being turned on, to filter keys being turned on, to your keyboard language or layout is incorrect. All it takes is one simple setting being wrong for the entire keyboard to behave strangely.
The fix here is to simply go into your keyboard settings and make sure the right settings are enabled and disabled. You will want to search for Typing settings and ensure all is well there, and also search for Ease of Access keyboard settings to see if anything needs changing.
If you haven’t changed these settings to customize your experience in the past it is unlikely that this is your problem, but it is worth a try.
4. Issues with the Windows Operating System
There is also a chance that your operating system is outdated and this is causing issues with the keyboard. Windows updates often contain bug fixes and hardware repairs that could fix the keyboard-related problem you are encountering.
The fix here is to simply check if you have an update for your operating system. Simply go to Settings > Update & Security, and check for updates.
If there is an update, complete it and see if that makes a difference to whether or not your keyboard works. If not, then it likely isn’t your operating system that is causing issues with your keyboard.
5. The Keyboard is Damaged or Dirty
Lastly, there is a chance that your keyboard has sustained some damage that is impacting how it works. This damage might be noticeable like a dent, crack, or broken connector, but could also be internal and won’t be able to be seen or noticed with the naked eye.
This could have come from dropping the keyboard, bumping it into something, or could have even occurred by transporting the device in a bag. Improper connecting and disconnecting of the keyboard could also lead to damage.
In a similar vein, there is a chance that the keyboard is dirty and needs to be cleaned to ensure it can connect well. Take some time to clean your Surface Pro keyboard and see if that allows it to work properly again.
If the damage cannot be fixed, you may need to get a new keyboard or a new Surface Pro depending on where the damage is. If you aren’t quite sure what’s wrong or where the damage is, consider taking the device and keyboard to an expert who can check it out for you.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several potential reasons why your Surface Pro keyboard may not be working. Whether this is from a bad connection or issues with the keyboard settings, it can be very frustrating to deal with.
We hope the information and fixes covered in this article have been able to help you get to the bottom of your keyboard-related issues and solve them.
Do you feel we missed mentioning something that should have been included? If so, let us know in the comment below!
