Surface book: April 2020 firmware updates bricked my device

Anonymous
2020-05-21T22:11:24+00:00

This morning my surface book downloaded some firmware updates and asked for me to restart my device.

(Here's the details on the update: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4023488/surface-surface-book-update-history )

However, after the first restart, I find that the surface book is in a constant restart state. I cannot even force it to shut down or boot the UEFI menu.

This is exactly what it does:

Every 10 seconds or so, it will turn on, show me the "Surface" boot logo, and after 1 second immediately turns off. It does not even reach any Windows boot up sequence.

I found the following topic which advised doing a few steps but nothing works: 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-book-stuck-in-continuous-restarting-loop/91bc5782-aabf-4555-847a-05b92c88da6d

Could I please get some advice on what to do or how to fix this?

Thank you

Update: Seems the common factor between everyone who is having the issue is that the secure boot is disabled (I.e. there is a 'red strip' shown with an unlock icon being shown). 

Update 2: I have been told my Microsoft that they believe the fault has nothing to do with them. The high number of people who are in this thread with the exact same issue clearly shows that the fault is NOT ours. We are now looking to take legal action as this forced firmware update caused damage to our devices, for which we require compensation from Microsoft (a fix or a replacement free of charge).

For taking legal action and making complaints follow this link:https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/legal/arbitration/EU-ODR.aspx

Surface | Surface Book | Install and update

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-30T14:37:15+00:00

    When I was trying to find a fix for my surface book, I came across this which is actually for the surface pro 4:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6WyBOcf5Ew&list=WL

    In the comment section, the guy describes how he fixed it:

    * Cause

    1. I booted my SP4(SurfacePro4) with low battery condition.

    2. It booted, displayed 'Surface' logo and powered off immediately. (no loop)

    3. I guessed it was just low battery problem. So I began to charge it.

    4. Charging SP4 for a couple of hours, I booted it again.

    5. It falled into 'Boot Loop'. It seems to be endless repeating of #2.

    6. Nothing to do with SP4. Can't enter UEFI or OS reinstall.

    * Solution

    1. Discharge SP4 as possible as you can. Let SP4 boot loop alone. (in my case I've saw boot loop for 6 hours. painful)

    2. It gets hot. Be careful for the heat radiation.

    3. When it's fully discharged, it'll be powered off eventually.

    4. Turn on SP4 again, and you can see a 'Big LOW BATTERY Icon' followed by 'Surface' logo. (and then powered off automatically)

    5. Seeing ' Big LOW BATTERY Icon' is IMPORTANT. It makes a big chance to exit from the boot loop.

    6. Try #4 repeatedly to discharge it as far as you can.

    7. If it's entirely discharged, pressing the power button takes no effect.

    8. OK. Now charge SP4 at least 15 minutes.

    9. Push the power button. Voila~!

    I'm trying this out not for my surface book, but not sure it will work as this seems to be more specific to the surface pro 4. But you should give this a go and see if it works for you.

    I'll be trying this as well while I'm at work. (Surface Pro 6) 

    I'm curious if this is similar to removing the CMOS battery on a desktop PC thereby essentially resetting the BIOS/UEFI.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-30T14:25:10+00:00

    When I was trying to find a fix for my surface book, I came across this which is actually for the surface pro 4:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6WyBOcf5Ew&list=WL

    In the comment section, the guy describes how he fixed it:

    * Cause

    1. I booted my SP4(SurfacePro4) with low battery condition.

    2. It booted, displayed 'Surface' logo and powered off immediately. (no loop)

    3. I guessed it was just low battery problem. So I began to charge it.

    4. Charging SP4 for a couple of hours, I booted it again.

    5. It falled into 'Boot Loop'. It seems to be endless repeating of #2.

    6. Nothing to do with SP4. Can't enter UEFI or OS reinstall.

    * Solution

    1. Discharge SP4 as possible as you can. Let SP4 boot loop alone. (in my case I've saw boot loop for 6 hours. painful)

    2. It gets hot. Be careful for the heat radiation.

    3. When it's fully discharged, it'll be powered off eventually.

    4. Turn on SP4 again, and you can see a 'Big LOW BATTERY Icon' followed by 'Surface' logo. (and then powered off automatically)

    5. Seeing ' Big LOW BATTERY Icon' is IMPORTANT. It makes a big chance to exit from the boot loop.

    6. Try #4 repeatedly to discharge it as far as you can.

    7. If it's entirely discharged, pressing the power button takes no effect.

    8. OK. Now charge SP4 at least 15 minutes.

    9. Push the power button. Voila~!

    I'm trying this out not for my surface book, but not sure it will work as this seems to be more specific to the surface pro 4. But you should give this a go and see if it works for you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-30T10:54:22+00:00

    Mine has been bricked too after the surface firmware update. Exact same issue. Displays logo and then shuts off. I've tried everything to fix it.

    (surface pro-4)

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-30T02:33:17+00:00

    It looks like I am in the same boat as the rest of you. Today, I went to shutdown my Surface Pro 6 for the first time in a while. My Secure Boot has been disabled now for almost a year without any issues but I did try to re-enable it many times but for some reason could not do so. Well, upon restarting the device, I got to the usual Windows logo followed by the red bar at the top of the screen. This time, however, the device just entered a continuous boot-loop like all of you are experiencing.

    I tried the hard reset. I tried the Surface Image Restore procedure - nothing worked.

    My problem as of now is that I live in the US so while I believe I have access to support here, there are currently no stores open and it appears that the ODR thing many have linked here is strictly for EU individuals. I will be contacting support on a regular basis and am in fact an attorney so if there are interested individuals who reside in the US that may be looking to take this to the next step, I am potentially willing to do so as this has greatly impacted not only my device but my legal practice.

    If MS is not willing to help in the meantime, I urge everyone here to continue to search the internet for ways on how we can restore/re-flash the BIOS to this device. There does not seem to be much out there so if anyone has any knowledge in this field, please feel free to share it with us.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-29T22:33:53+00:00

    Unfortunately, no news. And seems it will be a while like this as well, since Microsoft have told me they think the issue is not to do with the firmware update.

    Best thing we can all do is go through with an official EU complaint: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/legal/arbitration/EU-ODR.aspx

    Many of us have already started doing this, but it takes a long time to get things sorted. Until then, we will all have to live with these beautiful, dead, paperweights :(

    If I get any updates on my end, I will let you all know.

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