How to fix surface book 3 USB ports not working

Desmond Ollie 0 Reputation points
2026-01-05T20:38:21.6833333+00:00

I turned ony surface book 3 and all ports stopped working except the type c port but it doesn't transfer data just charges anything plugged like device or devices like earbuds.

Tried reinstalling Nvidia app but shows no gpu

And GPU greyed out in device manager I can only see it when I click view hidden

Surface | Surface Book | USB-C
0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Clary-N 15,845 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-01-06T04:28:50.0966667+00:00

    Hi Desmond Ollie,

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I know how inconvenient it is when your USB ports and graphics card suddenly stop working and I’m here to help you figure out what’s going on and get you closer to a solution.

    To make this easier, I’ve put together a few steps you can try. These will help us understand whether the issue is coming from the software or if there might be a hardware problem with the device:

    Step 1: Restart the internal controllers

    Sometimes the Surface’s internal chips that control the USB ports and GPU can freeze up. A full reset clears that out.

    Here’s how to do it:

    1. Shut the Surface down completely.
    2. Press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds straight, then let go.
    3. Wait about 10 seconds.
    4. Turn it on like normal.

    This sounds simple, but it often brings back USB ports and missing devices.

    Step 2: Update Surface firmware and drivers

    If the drivers become corrupted or outdated, the USB ports and GPU may stop showing up in Windows.

    To reinstall:

    1. Go to the official Microsoft page and download the latest Surface Book 3 Drivers and Firmware package.
    2. Run the installer and restart the device.

    This makes sure all the controllers (USB, GPU, Surface Base, etc.) are on the latest version.

    Step 3: Use the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

    This is a Microsoft tool that can automatically check your device for hardware and software issues.

    You can download it here: Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

    Just run it and follow the steps. It will take a few minutes and can give us clues about whether the base, GPU or USB controllers are failing.

    Step 4: Detach and reattach the screen

    On the Surface Book 3, the USB ports and NVIDIA GPU are all located in the keyboard base. If the connection between the tablet and the base becomes loose, all those components disappear.

    1. Press the detach button and remove the screen.
    2. Check the connector for dust or anything stuck in the pins.
    3. Reattach it firmly until it clicks.

    If the connection wasn’t secure, this may bring everything back instantly.

    Step 5: Check Device Manager for missing or hidden devices

    This helps confirm whether Windows still detects the base at all:

    1. Right‑click the Start menu then choose Device Manager
    2. At the top, click View > Show hidden devices
    3. Look under:
      • Display adapters (NVIDIA)
      • USB controllers
      • System devices (especially “Surface” items)

    If a device shows up greyed out, is completely missing, or displays a yellow warning icon in Device Manager, it usually indicates that the Surface Book 3 base (or the connector that links the tablet to the base) isn’t communicating properly with the system.

    Step 5: Try USB-C without the keyboard base attached

    This helps isolate whether the issue is in the base or the tablet section:

    1. Detach the screen.
    2. Plug a USB‑C storage device (USB‑C flash drive or phone) into the tablet.

    If USB‑C still only charges but doesn’t transfer data, the issue may be inside the tablet module. If USB‑C works normally without the base, then the keyboard base is likely faulty.

    Please let me know the results after trying these steps. If the issue persists, I’ll be happy to assist you further.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. Desmond Ollie 0 Reputation points
    2026-01-05T20:42:17.88+00:00

    I did all that USB 3.0 ports still not working

    Only type c

    And Nvidia drivers won't install even the app doesn't install either showing no gpu

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  3. AI answer

    2026-01-05T20:38:33.5666667+00:00

    If the USB ports on your Surface Book 3 are not working, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

    1. Check for Hardware Issues: Ensure that there are no physical obstructions or damage to the USB ports. Sometimes dust or debris can cause connectivity issues.
    2. Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve temporary issues with hardware.
    3. Update Drivers: Make sure that all drivers, especially for USB controllers and the GPU, are up to date. You can do this via Device Manager:
      • Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
      • Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section.
      • Right-click on each item and select "Update driver."
    4. Check Power Management Settings: Sometimes, power management settings can disable USB ports:
      • In Device Manager, right-click on each USB Root Hub under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" and select "Properties."
      • Go to the "Power Management" tab and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
    5. Run Windows Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, and run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
    6. Reset the Surface UEFI: If the issue persists, you may need to reset the Surface UEFI settings. This can sometimes resolve hardware recognition issues.
    7. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure that your Windows is fully updated, as updates can fix bugs and improve hardware compatibility.
    8. Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers: Since you mentioned issues with the NVIDIA app and GPU, try uninstalling the NVIDIA drivers completely and then reinstalling them from the NVIDIA website.

    If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be a hardware failure, and you might need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.