How to Fix a Surface Pro Not Charging

Troubleshooting this common Microsoft laptop issue

By
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Writer
  • Shoreline Community College
Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles .
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Updated on February 11, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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When a Surface Pro is not charging, it can manifest in a few different ways. The LED indicator light on the power supply will usually flash or remain dark, and the battery in the Surface Pro will lose charge during use until it eventually shuts down and won't turn on again.

While this troubleshooting procedure is specific to Surface Pro, it will also work for other products in the line like Surface Laptop that use the same charger style.

Causes of a Surface Pro Not Charging

The most common causes of a Surface Pro not charging all have to do with the power supply. The power supply may be bad, the connector may have damage, or the connector may not be seated properly. This problem can also occur when the outlet or surge protector that the power supply plugs into doesn't have power, and it's also possible for some Surface Pro battery settings to prevent charging.

How to Fix It When a Surface Pro Is Not Charging

To fix a Surface Pro that won't charge, you have to inspect the power supply, try different power strips or outlets, and clean components if they are dirty. You may need to adjust your Surface Pro battery settings or even replace a bad or outdated driver in rarer circumstances.

To fix it so that your Surface Pro starts charging again, use this troubleshooting procedure:

  1. Check the LED light on your Surface charger. If the light isn't on, then that means it isn't getting power either. First, perform a lamp test to check for power where you have your Surface plugged in. If there is no power, try switching it to a different outlet, and see if the light comes on. If you're using a power strip, make sure the power strip is on, and then try a different one or plug directly into an outlet.

  2. Check the USB port on your surface charger for power. If your Surface Pro charger has a USB port, try plugging in a device. If that device doesn't turn on or start charging, then the charger is bad.

  3. Check the power cable for damage. If the cable is frayed or damaged in any way, the unit may fail to charge your Surface Pro. It may also be a fire hazard. Replace the charger, and see if that fixes the problem.

  4. Inspect the charger connector for damage. The Surface Pro uses a unique flat magnetic charger connector that you can insert in two different ways. Some have a row of connectors, while others have a flat board with connectors on both sides.

    If the connector is bent, chewed by a child or animal, or is damaged in any other way, replace it. If the contacts are dirty, clean them with a lint-free cloth and check to see if the Surface Pro charges.

  5. Reset the power supply. Disconnect your Surface Pro from the power supply, unplug any devices you might have plugged into the USB port, and wait at least 10 seconds. Then plug it back in and see if it works.

  6. Plug the charger in the other way. The Surface Pro charger connector installs in two different ways. Unplug it, flip it over, and plug it back in the other way. If it charges with the connector flipped, there may be dirty contacts on the connector or in your Surface Pro's charging slot.

  7. Check your charging settings. Windows 10 provides an option to charge your battery to less than 100 percent to extend battery life. If your Surface Pro has this setting enabled, it will stop charging before it reaches 100 percent.

  8. Restart your Surface Pro. Fully shut the computer down, don't put it in sleep or hibernation mode, and disconnect the power supply. Leave it off for at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.

  9. Run Windows Update. If your battery driver is out of date or corrupted, it can cause this problem. Start by making sure that you are fully updated through Windows Update.

  10. Reinstall your battery driver. If your Surface Pro still doesn't charge after updating, try reinstalling your battery driver specifically.

    You may want to use System Restore to create a restore point before removing the driver if something goes wrong.

    1. Type Device Manager into the taskbar search box.
    2. Select Device Manager from the results.
    3. Click the arrow icon next to Batteries.
    4. Right-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.
    5. Click Uninstall device.
    6. Restart your Surface Pro, and Windows will automatically detect the missing driver and reinstall it.

Surface Pro Power Supply LED Indicator Lights

If your Surface Pro power supply has an LED light, it can help you narrow down the source of your problem. It usually illuminates whenever you plug in your Surface Pro, but it may be off or even flashing if you have a charging problem.

Here's what the lights mean on your Surface Pro power supply LED:

When the light is: It means: Potential fix:
Off The charger doesn't have power. Try a different wall outlet. Make sure the charge connector is properly seated in the Surface pro. Replace the power supply if necessary.
Blinking or flashing white Poor connection, or bad charger. Check the charge connector for damage or debris. Clean the connector, and try inserting it both ways. Replace the power supply if necessary.
Solid white Battery or software problem. If the light is solid white, that means the charger is working. In that case, you may have a bad battery, or there may be an issue with your charging settings.
FAQ
  • How do I charge a Microsoft Surface without a charger?

    If you've lost the original, magnetic charger for the Microsoft Surface, you'll need to find a replacement. Third-party options are available, but no alternate charging methods are available.

  • How do I charge a Microsoft Surface Pen?

    Different models of Surface Pens have different charging options. The Surface Slim, for example, uses a charging cradle that connects to a power source via a USB-C port. Newer models don't charge at all; they run on AAAA batteries that you must replace.

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