I cannot cannot use the keyboard that is attached to my surface pro. Only the touch keyboard. I need to fix this

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with your Surface Pro keyboard connection. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Firmware Reset: Since your keyboard was working fine before, it might be helpful to reset the firmware. To do this, press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds. If you're connected to a power supply unit (PSU), make sure to hold the Power button until you see the light at the end of the PSU cord briefly turn off before turning back on.
2. Check for Driver Updates: Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your Surface device. You can download the latest Surface .msi file from the Microsoft website and extract the contents to update the drivers.
3. Physical Connection: Check the connector on the keyboard and the Surface Pro for any debris or damage. Sometimes, a simple cleaning can resolve connection issues.
4. Test with Another Device: If possible, try connecting your keyboard to another Surface device to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with the keyboard or the Surface Pro itself.
5. Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is fully updated, as updates can often resolve hardware compatibility issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

References:

• Troubleshoot Surface Type Cover or Keyboard
• Top support solutions for Surface devices

Hi Sharadha Sheshadri,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum and sharing the details of the issue with your Surface Pro keyboard. I understand how frustrating it can be when a device you rely on stops working, especially after it has been functioning well for months.

Have you given the above suggestions a try yet? If none of them help, here are some additional troubleshooting actions you can try to resolve this:

Step 1: Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

This tool will automatically check for firmware, driver, and hardware issues. Download it from Microsoft’s support site and run the scan.

Step 2: Check in UEFI (Firmware Settings)

This will help determine if the issue is hardware or software.

• Power off your Surface.
• Hold Volume Up and press Power to enter UEFI.
• Try using the keyboard here:
• If it works, the problem is software-related.
  • If it doesn’t, it may be a hardware issue.

Step 3: Test with another type cover

If you have access to another Surface keyboard or device, this will confirm whether the issue is with the keyboard or the Surface itself.

Step 4: Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Repair Install)

This reinstalls Windows while keeping your files and apps intact.

• Download the latest Windows installation tool.
• Run setup.exe and choose Download and install updates (recommended).
• When prompted, select Keep personal files and apps.
• Complete the installation and restart your Surface.
• After the upgrade, check if the keyboard works.

*Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A 

If the In-Place Upgrade does not resolve the issue, consider performing a Reset (Keep My Files) for a clean OS image. A reset can help if system files or settings were corrupted during updates and ensures you start with a fresh installation while keeping your personal files. Go to Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC > Keep my files, then choose Cloud download for the latest version.

In case these steps don’t resolve the issue, there might be a hardware problem, so my best recommendation is to submit a service order through Microsoft Support. You can also visit a Microsoft Authorized Service Center for in-person assistance if that’s more convenient for you.

Please keep me posted on how it goes, and feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance. I’ll be happy to help.

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