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
    2020-07-23T15:05:51+00:00

    I have the same problem on the SB1 with unlocked UFIE. That seems to be the trend. Funny thing is that MS is asking people to PAY for a replacement for the device that THEY broke with their update. Amazing level of incompetence both on the engineering side as well as support. I also happened to have a Surface Pro 2 hangin around, which I started using again. Then last week it died after updating to the latest midyear feature update; won't turn on even leaving plugged in for days. After two massive failures, it's safe to say I will never buy another MS piece of hardware. I just lost 2 devices in less than 2 months because of their updates.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-23T15:12:58+00:00

    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. 

    Same thing here! Years ago I tried booting Linux so I disabled Secure Boot, but after that I could not re-enable it. I tried and tried and it just wouln't let me reset it to Secure mode. I would set it and then it would revert back to unsecure. It was never a big issue until the April update.

    Honestly, at this point it looks like we are all just going to have to buy a new non-MS computer. I don't think we are getting a fix or a replacement. 

    At this point I'm also looking to exit the Windows world altogther. Done with it.  Just not worth the hassle.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-23T15:26:16+00:00

    Yeh I'm definitely with you on that. I will not purchase another surface device because of this whole problem.

    MS made the mistake and they should pay for it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-07-23T16:28:02+00:00

    Same thing here. Performed Windows update on my Surface Book with Secure Boot disabled. Bricked. Followed all the Microsoft guides (button combos and recovery USB) and nothing worked.

    Given that Microsoft will never clean up their mess, how possible is it to flash the chip from the guide referenced above by SteveJobss assuming we can get the bios dump? It is worth a shot to get a $1k+ machine working again.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-07-23T18:28:06+00:00

    Same thing here. Performed Windows update on my Surface Book with Secure Boot disabled. Bricked. Followed all the Microsoft guides (button combos and recovery USB) and nothing worked.

    Given that Microsoft will never clean up their mess, how possible is it to flash the chip from the guide referenced above by SteveJobss assuming we can get the bios dump? It is worth a shot to get a $1k+ machine working again.

    I'm attempting this right now.

    It is very difficult, at least for the surface book. You're almost guaranteed to break something which you will have to replace once you open it up. 

    Nevertheless, getting these parts is still cheaper than the amount Microsoft is asking for a replacement.

    I'll let you know how my attempt goes.

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