Surface Pro 4 "Plugged in, Not Charging"

Anonymous
2016-03-16T13:08:47+00:00

So I did a search and found a lot of similar issues with the Pro 2, but nothing that really fits what I'm dealing with regarding my pro 4.

I've already swapped it out once before for this same issue, so I don't believe this is just a one off issue.

I have a Surface pro 4, i7, 256gb, 16gb RAM. I use the Surface pro 3 docking station with insert and have connected through the dock the following:a Single Dell 24" monitor off the displayport out of the docking station, Satellite/sub sound system, wireless keyboard, wired mouse, and a bluray drive. So that's the setup.

here is the issue. When ever I attempt to do anything that is somewhat power intensive, I get the  "Plugged in, Not Charging" issue. For instance if I play "Call of Duty: Heroes" which is a download from the app store it stops charging. Doesn't matter if I have the surfaced docked or connected directly to the supplied power cable.

The batter charges, it lasts 4-5 hrs when not on the charger. If I'm just doing word processing or watching a video, if I'm not compiling code, digital circuits, or playing a very very very low demand game it works just fine.

Anyone with a similar issue? Anyone able to get this resolved?

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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Anonymous
2018-03-15T15:48:24+00:00

Here's what worked for me just now.

I've got a Surface Pro 4 i7/16GB  with the Microsoft Dock, and it stubbornly refused to charge.

I went into Device Manager, ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/1f924923-6af6-422b-8472-31c1b800abbc?platform=QnA and for each of the "Microsoft AC Adapter" and "Microsoft Surface ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery" devices, I selected them, right-clicked, "Uninstall Device", then went to Action, Scan for Hardware Changes, and it re-appeared.  After doing that to each of them, my SP4 started charging again.  No reboot necessary.

More info can be found in the Surface battery won’t charge troubleshooting article.

Hope that helps someone out there.

Your mileage may vary.

-KwM-

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-23T13:15:44+00:00

    SOLUTION!!!(For me, anyways)

    I was having the same issue, less than a year after I bought.  I was using an extension, when I plugged directly into a wall outlet it started working fine. 

    I found this on Reddit.  It worked for me. I hope it works for those who read this.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/7z7a4i/surface\_pro\_4\_plugged\_in\_but\_not\_charging/duluezj/

    Good luck and Microsoft, if you are letting all of these posts happen and not doing anything about it, maybe its time you do. I see this issue dated back to 2010.... Just a thought!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-15T04:17:58+00:00

    Microsoft has done nothing to help me. Everything they have suggested do not work. The last support person I spoke with me told me to go to a Microsoft store - I cannot drive that far and there seems to be NO relief. I am truly frustrated with this and am wondering if I need to give up my Surface Pro 4? 

    I assume you’ve tried resetting your computer. Back it up first, then to a factory reset. It’s a commonplace solution but often works.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-14T21:04:39+00:00

    Microsoft has done nothing to help me. Everything they have suggested do not work. The last support person I spoke with me told me to go to a Microsoft store - I cannot drive that far and there seems to be NO relief. I am truly frustrated with this and am wondering if I need to give up my Surface Pro 4?

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-14T19:01:44+00:00

    I have this problem frequently (a few times a week if not once a day) when my i7 Surface Pro 4 is in the Surface 3 docking station.  It appears to be fairly consistent when coming out of Sleep, but sometimes when restarting.  Removing it from the docking station and redocking doesn't fix it. 

    However, I have found a very simple, if frustratingly non-permanent fix: 

    Unplug the power from the back of the docking station for 5-10 seconds while the surface is docked. Then plug back in.  This has consistently solved the problem until the next time I undock/dock, sleep, or restart.  But at least it only takes a few seconds. 

    This feels like the equivalent of hitting the side of an old TV to make the picture better. 

    The fact that this is STILL a problem after months (years?) makes me not want another surface. 

    BTW, I've tried all the other suggestions by MS: deleting battery drivers, etc.  They solve the problem no better than my unplug the docking station power solution and take a LOT more time.

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