Surface Pro 4 Type Cover Stopped Working

Anonymous
2017-09-20T12:40:04+00:00

The type cover on my Surface Pro 4 suddenly stopped working.  There are several similar issues on this forum, but none quite fit what I am experiencing.

I tried cleaning the contacts, doing the 2-button reset, using system refresh, and finally I "restored" windows from a USB drive.  And then it worked again! Until the next day, when the type cover no longer worked.  

So, I tried 2-button reset again, didn't help.  I did a little more research, looked at the device manager and noticed only the HID keyboard driver showed up.  I saw online that upgrading Windows 10 to version 1703 seemed to fix things for some folks experiencing this issue, so I tried that, and it worked again! Until the next day.  I tried 2-button reset again, didn't help. So I tried downloading the latest firmware and drivers from Microsoft; no help. I ran the SFC utility, it didn't find any issues.  I created a new USB restore drive, and restored from it, but that didn't help this time!  I have not tried restoring from my "old" USB restore drive, because I think that may be a temporary fix, but wouldn't help permanently. I have taken the type cover off and  put it back on, giggled it like crazy, etc, but I really don't think this is a hardware problem.

So, as a final step, I am going to re-image my machine.  In the meantime, any suggestions?  I'd be willing to buy a new type cover if I thought it would help (my type cover is a #QC7-00001). I'm tired of spending 3 hours a day trying to get my keyboard to work!

Moved from: Surface / Surface Pro 4 / Install, update, and repair

Surface | Accessories | Surface Type Cover

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Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2017-10-02T17:05:46+00:00

Ruth,

My contact gave me the following for you to try (this is only for non US typecovers for  SP4). Please let me know if you try these and results either way:

Workaround #1

  1. Power+volume up to boot into UEFI settings.
  2. Choose Devices.
  3. Toggle Type Cover Port off and then on.

Workaround #2

  1. Check Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and ensure that Filter Keys is disabled.
  2. Check BIOS and make sure Type Cover is enabled in Devices.
  3. In Device Manager, click on the View menu > Show Hidden.
  4. Under HID (Human Interface Devices), scroll down and find Surface Pro 4 Typecover Integration > right-click - Uninstall. (chose option to delete driver/software.)
  5. In Device Manager, under Keyboard, if you do not see the type cover, no need to do anything else. I; if you do see it, right-click, uninstall (check to remove software).
  6. Shut down (hold shift for a clean shutdown).
  7. Hold power and volume up for 30 seconds. The device will flash to EFI and back until it eventually powers off fully.
  8. Power on the device. Now the keyboard should work, and all the drivers should be re-installed that we removed earlier.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-07T12:16:23+00:00

    Nope, it’s pretty much hopeless. I tried 3 covers and every type of fix imaginable and nothing worked. I ended up using an external keyboard for a month and then decided it wasn’t worth it. I went to a Mac + iPad Combo and haven’t looked back. It’s a shame because I was really converting people to Microsoft before this happened and now I tell people to stay far, far, far away from the Surface brand.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-07T20:41:09+00:00

    Hi Ruth,

    As a temporary solution I'm now using a wireless logitech keyboard instead of wasting any more time trying to get the typecover to work. The logitech keyboard works perfectly fine and I didn't have to install anything. I would definitely recommend that, if you (like me) don't want to exhange your device. 

    Regards, Louise

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-09-25T04:57:21+00:00

    This is the exact problem I have and it's driving me BONKERS. I have a SP3 with a SP4 type cover. The "Creator's update" came and then suddenly I had nothing working in terms of my keyboard or touchpad. I tried rolling back updates, reinstalling Windows 10, cleaning keyboard, buying a new keyboard, etc. Nothing worked.

    Finally, I used the Windows 10 recovery image on the Microsoft website specifically for SP3 and then I was able to get it working temporarily via the volume down/power button trick. The next day I woke up and it not longer worked again.

    I was really interested in the Surface Pro series and the first year was a dream (no issues whatsoever). But now with Windows 10 and these new updates it's really frustrating. I spent (no lie) 3 hours today trying to get it to work and still nothing. I've been forced to use a wired mouse and wireless keyboard at home, which renders my fancy SP3 into a boring standalone PC again. C'mon Microsoft, this is insane. Why is there no simple "Download the drivers and reinstall" option?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-09-23T15:40:00+00:00

    I have the same problem as the first poster and it started at the same time, lending credence to the other comment that a download update is the cause.  other help pages suggest a driver called type cover filter or similar should be present under device

    • keyboard.  my sp4 does not have this driver before or after I re-installed windows and all Defender updates from download.  very keen to hear what I should try next.  thank you.

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