Surface 3 charging issues

Anonymous
2015-05-06T14:21:00+00:00

I'm sure the Surface 2 and other models suffered from this problem...

After getting my Surface 3 yesterday, I plugged it in as it was delivered with about 24% batter life.  The little white light on the micro-USB charger than comes with the Surface lit up.  I assumed all was well, and started the Windows Updates.  It was taking a while so I left it and went to bed.

The next morning the Surface was off, and when I tried to switch it on the battery symbol appeared that indicates it had no juice.  It was still plugged in to the charger and the plug was still lit.

I removed it a couple of times and eventually it must have started to charge as it allowed me to boot, and I could see it was charging.

However, whenever I plug it into any other USB port to charge it (such as on my PC), I get the "Plugged in, not charging" message).

I suspect a faulty micro-USB connector (a poor replacement for the old magnetic ones), but wanted to see if anyone elese was having trouble with either the supplied charger or charging from other USB ports.

Surface | Other

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Anonymous
2015-12-17T00:35:26+00:00

MA_905,

Thanks for the update and sorry for the delay in following up.

I am reaching out to find out if your issue is now resolved and if not, I would like for you to please give the two button shutdown a try.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Press and hold the power button on your Surface for 30 seconds and then release it.
Step 2: Press and hold the volume-up button and the power button at the same time for at least 15 seconds and then release both.        <br> <br><br>The screen may flash the Surface logo, but continue holding the buttons down for at least 15 seconds.
Step 3: After you release the buttons, wait 10 seconds.
Step 4: Press and release the power button to turn your Surface back on.

 Once done, please proceed to fully charge the device and let us know your outcome.

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Anonymous
2015-05-06T16:58:56+00:00

what's more likely is that the USB ports that you've used can't provide enough power to charge the device.

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Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2015-07-22T16:55:03+00:00

On Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:31:18 +0000, quadtek wrote:

>> This is a surface 3, not a pro3

take a look at

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/surface-wont-turn-on#shutdown

  • this applies to your Surface 3

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Barb

Windows Experience MVP

My Blog - http://digitalmediaphile.com/

Please mark as answered if this answers your question

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Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2016-03-05T11:51:47+00:00

did you try the solutions at https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/surface-wont-turn-on-battery-wont-charge?os=windows-10 ?

If yes, your best option is to go to a physical retail Microsoft Store if you are near one in the US, and if not near a store https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/contact-us

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Anonymous
2015-12-17T00:48:32+00:00

I contacted MS and they helped me in this one. I had to do a current update. when this did not fix it I had to a a factory reset. then do the update battery life is now as expected.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T14:33:33+00:00

    Mine would charge 20 percent of the time.  I would have to unplug and plug the cord in to restart charging which lasted about a minute.  Eventually after four times it would charge awhile if you didn't move the cord.  That said, after fifty hours of tech support my surface crashed.  I had to call support again for a three hour session on how to change the bio....boot a recovery....reinstall windows 8....upgrade to current version, etc.   This helped the charging situation which proves it's a driver/programming issue.  So now the charging works 80% of the time, but still not good enough.  Also, after reinstalling windows the computer screen goes black quite often and I have to hold down the power button for 30 seconds to get it back.  Also, it sometimes goes to a blue screen with a sad face.   When I get back to the U.S. I'm demanding a new one  I pray it doesn't perform the same.

    Michael, you do need to demand a replacement.  Black screens and blue screens of death after a clean install indicates a hardware problem.  I've had charging problems, and the occasional problem with audio which was fixed by manually updating the drivers, but I've had no other issues.  Demand a new tablet - not a refurbished one - and make sure it comes with Windows 10.

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