Surface Pro 4 Keyboard not working / type cover keyboard driver missing

Just had exactly the same problem - dead keyboard and missing driver in 'Devices' on Surface Pro 4.

I tried the 'dead' keyboard on my Surface Pro 6 and it worked fine. I tried my Surface Pro 6 keyboard on the Pro 4 and it failed to be detected.

Hard to say whether it's a Surface Pro 4 hardware error (some sort of failure of the keyboard connector mechanic that stops the keyboard being detected) but it seems to be an issue with older Surface's - Pro 4 and earlier; hence why Microsoft is silent.

This is actually a replacement Surface Pro 4 as the original had the shaky screen issue. Seems devices Pro 5 and newer are a bit more reliable.

I'm going to have to buy a cheap Bluetooth type cover replacement but I'd rather this be fixed if it's just a software issue.

I've just installed 20H2 update and still not detected.

still happens sometimes after a windows or firmware/drivers update - but here is how to reliably fix it every time (only if touchpad still works in UEFI/BIOS):

• only once: update windows
• only once: install latest surface firmware/drivers (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49498)
• every time: check if Sticky/Toggle/Filter Keys are not enabled (disable them)
• every time: perform two button shutdown, and then two button startup (hold 30 seconds)
• every time (most common problem): check if your "usb input device" wasn't replaced by "wacom device" driver, then just simply rollback or manually update (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/solved-surface-pro-3-type-cover-working-in/9046ba77-ef3f-4be9-82bb-ce44182b3c26)
• every time (some blame hibernate for this problem): detach type cover and reattach only after full 24 hours, make sure to also fully drain the battery on tablet before that (nothing shows on display when you press power button), then charge again

Hi

This is exactly my issue - the driver has disappeared.

So far Microsoft have not offered any fix... I was given a long list of things to try (some of which I had already tried but did again)...

Still waiting to hear from Janette after many days now...

Nick

Hi Nick,

update:   my rebooting the system failed to wake up the  typecover

speechless and waiting for my new Macbook

Lil

I have the same issue keyboard simply stopped working followed all the dam instructions still stuck with a dead costly keyboard, a waste of money and lost trust in Microsoft products

Hi 

I leave it for several days and yeahvthe date/time is wrong.

Any idea on how many days you leave the Surface Pro without plugging in the battery? And do you keep the Type Cover attached during the battery drain process?