Surface Pro 4 Jul 2017 Update - Type Cover not working

I updated the latest update Jul 2017 and it bricks my type cover completely. Tried everthing, from reset, volume + and power, everthing including cleaning etc. 

I just do not understand. When I did Apr 2017 update, it also half bricked it, but at least using volume+ and power helps, but now totally unusable. 

If anyone come across, this, please help.

**The thread is moved to the cover category.**

Being of a logical mind, I also have tried to deduce where the problem lies, but failed. 

Lately – having found that the type cover was suddenly working again – I decided to experiment by never moving the Surface or type cover, and never letting it go to sleep. 

However, I was away for Easter and didn’t like to leave it plugged in… so I unplugged it but didn’t move it from the desk it was on.

On my return I turned it on – type cover not functioning!  So I gave up and decided to put it away in its case.  I raised the type cover to the screen and put it away. 

Later, with logitech keyboard to hand, I took the Surface out of its case and lowered the type cover – but voilà it worked!!

In the days since I have found that if  I forget to stop the Surface going into sleep mode, and then I turn it on again, the type cover doesn’t work.  But when it’s raised gently up to the screen and lowered again, the type cover lights up again!

(It didn’t work when I lowered the screen to the type cover, only when I raised the cover up to the screen… weird.)

So I’m left wondering why the type cover loses its functionality while just sitting on the desk with no physical movement to either part, the Surface or the type cover.

I hope I’ve painted the picture clearly.  It appears to me that going into sleep mode ‘switches off’ the type cover.

Like everybody else, I’m not expecting any answers or enlightenment. 

I’m just deeply disappointed and will never buy a Microsoft computer product again.

FA,

Thanks for the details.

Not possible to troubleshoot to this point in the Philippines!

The only possible solution here is to lug around additional weight.

A Logitec K480 Bluetooth keyboard and a Logitec MX Master Bluetooth mouse provide consistent input operation.

A Kensington Protective case and a defective type cover provide adequate device/screen protection.

Finally a Samsonite Backpack to haul it all around in and there you have a perfect Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet/laptop Philippines style!

Not sure there will ever be a solid fix, but would probably have to visit Silicon Valley sometime to get it (Used to work at Cypress, Lattice, Vantis, AMD and Litton!).

Nice to be retired and out of the business!

   JohnnyB

Here are some observations I have had over the last 8 months or so:

I had a Surface Pro 3 Core i7 256GB with a recently purchased Surface Pro 4 Type Cover with fingerprint reader for Windows Hello (original cover had quality issues and split open on the sides and near the connector).

In December 2017, had no issues with the SP3 Pro until the laptop bag I had was dropped and the device ended up with a severely cracked the screen - my fault.

In January 2018 decide to "Fix my Surface" and paid ~$700 USD to get a refurbished "equivalent" device - which ended up a Surface Pro 4 Core i7 256GB. Used the same Surface Type Cover with Windows Hello (though the SP4 Pro supports this with the face camera)

I passed this to my wife to use and I bought a new Surface Pro "5" Core i7 256GB (SKU Surface_Pro_1796) with the new Surface Type Cover Alcantara keyboard.

For the surface pro 4, there was an occasional random and odd "click" click sound coming from the speakers (at least once per day) when the device was laying on the table apparently in sleep - I was aware of it and wondered why it made this sound, but it didn't cause any issues with the operation of the device so no worries.

About August 2018, the Surface Pro 4 had an update which caused a range of issues.

• Powering on the device with the power adapter plugged in wouldn't turn on the screen, until you pulled the power cable out and then the screen would turn on. Disabled hibernation as well as Bluetooth turning off in sleep to try and fix the issue but didn't work. Keyboard functioned most of the time, occasionally requiring disconnect the keyboard and reconnect it to get it functioning.
• Powering on the device with the power adapter disconnected wouldn't turn on the screen until you plugged the power adapter in and it would turn on. Same as above for troubleshooting and keyboard functionality.
• Tried to reset to factory default and loaded the standard image for the device from microsoft.com but this did not fix the issue. The build version was updated to build 1803 (from memory the image was 1709). Oddly the device only recently (the last 2 weeks) upgrade to build 1809.
• The windows hello facial recognition wasn't functioning well after this, it seemed to keep trying to get the calibration of a face and wouldn't complete the task.
• When "closing" the Surface Type cover the screen would not switch off as it should, you could see the screen light still on. (unlike my Surface Pro 5, the screen turns off immediately when the cover is closed)
• The screen would no longer dim or adjust brightness when set to "suggested" (again possible due to camera / ambient light sensor?)
• Connected the Surface Type Cover with Windows Hello to my Surface Pro 5 and it works with no issues at this time.

In December 2018, the Surface Pro 4 keyboard stopped functioning, possibly from an update (but not 1809).

• I've been trying to get the keyboard functioning again by connection my Surface Type Cover Alcantara keyboard and Surface Type Cover with Windows Hello finger scanner but it doesn't recognize either type cover.
• The Surface Type Cover Filter Device does not appear in device manager and there is no response in UEFI when the keyboard is connected (either Surface Type Cover with Windows Hello or Surface Type Cover Alcantara)
• After troubleshooting the Surface Pro 4, I connected the Surface Type Cover Alcantara to my Surface Pro 5 and the device did not recognize the keyboard, even after restart and even going into UEFI. However the Surface Type Cover with Windows Hello does work, which I am using now.
• As of this week I now hear an occasional random and odd "click" click sound coming from the Surface Pro 5 speakers, which has me very concerned that the same issues will occur with that device over time.
• I read this article last week and there is apparently no solution to this from Microsoft, I feel it was wrong of Microsoft to offer a refurbished device to find out in 6-8 months such a problem exists with no solution and it's not the customers' fault. This issue is pointing heavily at a firmware/drive/software problem from Microsoft.

Happy to hear any other troubleshooting tips or others who have this problem. I'd like a fix as soon as possible.

Thanks...

Hey Ralf!

Thanks for the update.

At this point I am carrying around a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, with my type covered Surface Pro 4, in a backpack. Kind of clunky but works when I need it.

Microsoft products are scarce as chicken teeth here in the Philippines. I can not find a new type cover let alone an old one.

If anyone has an old one laying around that they want to sell, please let me know.

     Loads of FUN!

          JohnnyB