How to Fix a Surface Pro Not Charging

Check the Power Adapter

One of the first steps to take when your Surface Pro is not charging is to check the power adapter. The power adapter is the device that connects to your Surface Pro and supplies it with power. Here are some steps to help you diagnose and resolve any issues with the power adapter:

Check the connection: Make sure that the power adapter is securely plugged into both the wall outlet and your Surface Pro. Sometimes, a loose or faulty connection can prevent the device from charging properly.
Inspect the charging port: Examine the charging port on your Surface Pro for any signs of damage or dirt. If you notice any debris, use a soft, dry cloth or compressed air to clean it. A blocked or damaged charging port can disrupt the flow of power.
Test with a different power adapter: If you have access to another compatible power adapter, try using it on your Surface Pro. This will help you determine if the issue lies with the original power adapter or the device itself. If your Surface Pro charges with a different power adapter, you may need to replace the original one.
Check the LED indicator: Most power adapters have an LED indicator to show whether they are receiving power. Verify that the LED is lit when the adapter is connected to a power source. If the LED is not on, there may be a problem with the power outlet or adapter.
Contact customer support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is advisable to reach out to Microsoft customer support or the manufacturer of your Surface Pro for further assistance. They can help you troubleshoot and determine if there is a hardware problem that needs to be addressed.

By carefully checking the power adapter and taking the appropriate steps, you can often diagnose and fix issues related to charging your Surface Pro. If the problem persists after trying these solutions, it may be necessary to explore other potential causes and solutions.

Inspect the Charging Cable

When your Surface Pro is not charging, another troubleshooting step is to inspect the charging cable. The charging cable connects the power adapter to your Surface Pro and can sometimes be the cause of charging issues. Here’s what you can do to examine and potentially resolve any problems with the charging cable:

Check for physical damage: Inspect the charging cable for any signs of fraying, bending, or other physical damage. If you notice any visible damage, it could be interfering with the proper flow of power. In such cases, it’s crucial to replace the damaged cable with a new one.
Try a different charging cable: If you have access to another compatible charging cable, try using it with your Surface Pro. This test will help determine if the issue lies with the original cable or the device itself. If your Surface Pro charges with a different cable, you may need to replace the original one.
Clean the charging cable: Sometimes, dust or debris can accumulate on the charging cable’s connectors, hindering the charging process. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently clean the connectors and remove any obstructions. Ensure the charging cable is completely dry before reconnecting.
Check the cable connection: Ensure that the charging cable is securely plugged into both the power adapter and your Surface Pro’s charging port. A loose or partially inserted cable can disrupt the charging process. Try unplugging and reinserting the cable to establish a secure connection.
Verify cable compatibility: Surface Pro models may require specific charging cables. Ensure that the cable you are using is compatible with your particular Surface Pro model. Using an incompatible cable can lead to charging compatibility issues.

By examining the charging cable for any physical damage, trying a different cable if available, cleaning the connectors, and ensuring a secure connection, you can often resolve charging issues related to the cable. If the issue persists, it might be necessary to troubleshoot other potential causes or seek assistance from Microsoft customer support or the manufacturer of your Surface Pro.

Clean the Charging Port

When facing charging issues with your Surface Pro, one possible solution is to clean the charging port. Over time, dust, lint, or debris can accumulate in the charging port, hindering the connection and preventing proper charging. Follow these steps to clean the charging port and potentially fix the issue:

Power off your Surface Pro: Before cleaning the charging port, turn off your Surface Pro to avoid any potential damage or accidents.
Inspect the charging port: Take a close look at the charging port on your Surface Pro. Look for any visible dirt, dust, or debris that may be obstructing the connection. Use a flashlight if needed to examine the port more thoroughly.
Use compressed air: If you notice any debris in the charging port, you can use a can of compressed air to blow away the dust and particles. Hold the can upright and use short bursts of air to avoid causing any damage to the port.
Gently clean with a soft brush: If the compressed air alone is not sufficient, you can use a soft-bristled brush, such as a clean toothbrush, to gently brush away any remaining debris. Be careful not to apply excessive force or scratch the charging port.
Remove stubborn debris: In cases where there is stubborn dirt or residue, you can use a cotton swab slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean the charging port. Ensure that the cotton swab is not saturated, as excess liquid can damage the device.
Allow the port to dry: After cleaning the charging port, give it enough time to dry completely before attempting to charge your Surface Pro. Moisture in the port can interfere with the connection and cause further issues.

By regularly cleaning the charging port of your Surface Pro, you can prevent debris buildup and ensure a reliable charging connection. This simple maintenance step can often resolve charging issues related to a clogged or dirty charging port. If the problem persists, additional troubleshooting steps may be required, or it’s recommended to seek assistance from Microsoft customer support or the manufacturer of your Surface Pro.

Restart the Surface Pro

Restarting your Surface Pro is a basic yet effective troubleshooting step that can help resolve charging issues. Sometimes, temporary software glitches or conflicts can prevent the device from charging properly. Here’s how you can restart your Surface Pro:

Save your work: Before restarting your Surface Pro, it’s important to save any open documents or files to prevent potential data loss.
Close all applications: Close all running applications to ensure a smooth restart. You can use the taskbar or the task manager to terminate any active programs.
Choose the restart option: Click on the “Start” button and select the “Restart” option from the power menu. Alternatively, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the device shuts down, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Wait for the restart: Allow your Surface Pro to fully restart. The process may take a few moments, so be patient and avoid interrupting the restart sequence.
Retry charging: After the restart, try connecting the power adapter to your Surface Pro and see if the device starts charging. Check if the battery icon displays the charging status, and if the LED indicator on the power adapter lights up.

Restarting your Surface Pro can help resolve software-related issues that may have been preventing proper charging. It allows the device to refresh and restart essential processes, potentially fixing any temporary glitches. If the charging problem persists after restarting, you may need to explore further troubleshooting steps or contact Microsoft customer support for assistance.

Perform a Power Reset

If your Surface Pro is still not charging despite trying the previous solutions, performing a power reset can help. A power reset can resolve issues related to the device’s power management system. Here’s how you can perform a power reset:

Disconnect all peripherals: Unplug any external devices or accessories connected to your Surface Pro, such as USB drives, printers, or external displays. Removing these peripherals during the power reset process can help ensure a successful reset.
Power off your Surface Pro: Press and hold the power button on your Surface Pro for around 30 seconds. Continue holding the button even if the device appears to turn off earlier. This action will drain any residual power from the device.
Wait for a few moments: After releasing the power button, wait for at least 10 seconds before proceeding to the next step. This short pause allows the device’s components to fully reset.
Power on your Surface Pro: Press the power button again to turn on your Surface Pro. Wait patiently for the device to start up.
Connect the power adapter: Once your Surface Pro has booted up, connect the power adapter to see if the device begins charging properly.

A power reset can help resolve issues caused by temporary software conflicts or glitches. By draining residual power and restarting the system, you can often restore proper charging functionality to your Surface Pro. If the charging problem persists, you may need to explore additional troubleshooting steps or contact Microsoft customer support for further assistance.

Update the Battery Driver

If your Surface Pro is experiencing charging issues, updating the battery driver can help resolve any software-related problems. The battery driver is responsible for managing the charging process and ensuring proper communication between the battery and the operating system. Here’s how you can update the battery driver:

Open Device Manager: Right-click on the “Start” button and select “Device Manager” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can search for “Device Manager” using the Windows search bar.
Expand the Batteries category: In Device Manager, locate and expand the “Batteries” category. You should see one or more entries related to the battery.
Update the battery driver: Right-click on the battery driver and select “Update driver” from the menu. Windows will search for the latest driver software and install it if available. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.
Restart your Surface Pro: After updating the battery driver, it’s recommended to restart your Surface Pro to ensure the changes take effect. You can use the restart method mentioned earlier in this article.
Check for charging: Once your Surface Pro restarts, connect the power adapter to see if the device starts charging properly. Monitor the battery icon and check if the charging status is displayed correctly.

Updating the battery driver can help resolve compatibility issues, bug fixes, or other software-related problems that may be causing charging issues with your Surface Pro. It’s important to ensure that the battery driver is up to date to maintain optimal charging performance. If the charging problem persists, you may need to explore further troubleshooting steps or consult Microsoft customer support for assistance.

Check for Software Updates

To address charging issues on your Surface Pro, it’s essential to ensure that the device’s software is up to date. Software updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements that can resolve charging-related problems. Here’s how you can check for software updates:

Open Windows Update: Click on the “Start” button and search for “Windows Update” in the search bar. Open the Windows Update settings from the results.
Check for updates: In the Windows Update settings, click on the “Check for updates” button. Windows will now search for available updates for your Surface Pro.
Install the updates: If there are any pending updates, click on the “Install” button to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the updates to install.
Restart your Surface Pro: After installing the updates, it’s important to restart your Surface Pro to apply the changes fully. Use the restart method mentioned earlier in this article.
Retry charging: After restarting, connect the power adapter to your Surface Pro and check if the device charges successfully. Monitor the battery icon and ensure that the charging status is displayed correctly.

Checking for software updates is crucial to keep your Surface Pro functioning optimally and resolve any known issues that could be affecting the charging process. It’s recommended to regularly check for updates and install them promptly to ensure the best performance and compatibility. If the charging problem persists, further troubleshooting or assistance from Microsoft customer support may be necessary.

Disconnect External Devices

When troubleshooting charging issues on your Surface Pro, it’s important to consider the impact of external devices. Some peripherals or accessories connected to your device may interfere with the charging process. Here’s what you can do:

Disconnect all external devices: Unplug any external devices or accessories connected to your Surface Pro, such as USB drives, printers, external displays, or docking stations.
Inspect the connections: Once all external devices are disconnected, carefully examine the ports and cables for any physical damage or debris that may affect charging.
Restart your Surface Pro: Perform a restart to ensure that any potential conflicts caused by the external devices are cleared. Use the restart method mentioned earlier in this article.
Reconnect the power adapter: After the restart, connect the power adapter directly to your Surface Pro without any external devices in between.
Check for charging: Monitor the battery icon and observe if your Surface Pro begins charging properly. Ensure that the charging status is displayed correctly and that the LED indicator on the power adapter lights up.

Disconnecting external devices can help determine whether any peripherals or accessories are causing interference with the charging process. By removing these potential sources of conflict, you can identify if the problem lies with a specific device or its connection. If the charging issue persists, additional troubleshooting steps or assistance from Microsoft customer support may be necessary.

Perform a System Restore

If you’re still encountering charging issues with your Surface Pro, performing a system restore can help resolve software-related problems that may be affecting the device’s functionality. System restore allows you to revert your Surface Pro’s operating system to a previous state when it was functioning correctly. Here’s how you can perform a system restore:

Backup your data: Before proceeding with a system restore, it’s important to back up any important data or files to prevent potential data loss.
Open System Restore: Search for “System Restore” in the Windows search bar and open the System Restore settings.
Select a restore point: In the System Restore settings, you’ll see a list of available restore points. Choose a restore point that predates the charging issues you’re experiencing.
Start the system restore: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the system restore process. It may take some time to complete, and your Surface Pro will restart multiple times.
Check for charging: After the system restore is complete and your Surface Pro has booted up, connect the power adapter and check if the device charges properly. Monitor the battery icon and ensure that the charging status is displayed correctly.

Performing a system restore can help resolve software conflicts or other issues that may be causing charging problems on your Surface Pro. It allows you to revert the device to a previous state where it was functioning correctly. Please note that a system restore will remove any installed software or updates after the chosen restore point, so it’s important to back up your data beforehand. If the charging issue continues after the system restore, you may need to pursue additional troubleshooting steps or seek assistance from Microsoft customer support.

Reset the Surface Pro to Factory Settings

If all previous troubleshooting steps have failed to resolve the charging issues with your Surface Pro, resetting the device to factory settings can be a final resort. Resetting your Surface Pro to its original factory settings will wipe all data and installed software, returning it to the state it was in when you first purchased it. Here’s how you can reset your Surface Pro:

Backup your data: Before proceeding with a factory reset, it’s crucial to back up all your important files and data to an external storage device or cloud service to prevent permanent loss.
Open the Settings menu: Click on the “Start” button and select the “Settings” gear icon from the left-hand side of the Start menu. Alternatively, you can search for “Settings” using the Windows search bar.
Go to the Update & Security section: In the Settings menu, click on “Update & Security” to open the update and security options.
Select Recovery: In the left-hand side menu of the Update & Security section, click on “Recovery”.
Choose Reset this PC: Under the “Reset this PC” section, click on the “Get started” button to initiate the reset process.
Select an option: You’ll be presented with two reset options: “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”. Choose the option that suits your needs. Note that selecting “Remove everything” will erase all files and settings on your Surface Pro.
Follow the on-screen instructions: Once you’ve made your selection, follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the reset process. This may take some time, and your Surface Pro will restart multiple times.

Resetting your Surface Pro to factory settings can help resolve persistent charging issues that may be caused by software conflicts or corrupted settings. However, it’s important to note that this process will erase all your personal data, so be sure to back up everything important beforehand. If the charging problem persists even after a factory reset, it may indicate a hardware issue, and it’s advisable to seek assistance from Microsoft customer support or the manufacturer of your Surface Pro.