Surface Pen Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

Check the Battery

A common reason why the Surface Pen may not be working is due to a low or depleted battery. Before troubleshooting any further, it’s crucial to ensure that the pen has enough power to function properly. Here’s how you can check the battery status and replace or recharge if necessary:

1. Remove the battery cap: Start by removing the top cap of the Surface Pen. This will give you access to the battery compartment.
2. Inspect the battery: Check the battery to see if it’s properly inserted and in good condition.
3. Replace the battery: If the battery is old or not providing sufficient power, remove it and replace it with a new AAAA battery. Make sure to align the positive (+) and negative (-) ends correctly.
4. Recharge the battery (Surface Pen with rechargeable battery): If you have a Surface Pen with a rechargeable battery, connect the pen to a power source using the USB charger that came with it. Allow it to charge for a few hours until the battery is fully replenished.
5. Test the pen: Once you have replaced the battery or recharged it, test the Surface Pen again to see if it’s working properly.

If the pen still doesn’t respond after checking the battery, move on to the next troubleshooting steps to troubleshoot the issue further.

Reconnect the Surface Pen

If the Surface Pen is not working, one of the first troubleshooting steps you can take is to reconnect it to your device. Sometimes, the connection between the pen and the device can become unstable or lost. Here’s how you can reconnect the Surface Pen:

1. Remove the pen: Start by removing the Surface Pen from your device, whether it’s attached magnetically or connected via Bluetooth.
2. Restart your device: Restart your Surface device by either selecting “Restart” from the Start Menu or by holding down the power button and selecting the restart option. This can help reset any connection issues.
3. Reconnect the pen magnetically: If you have a Surface device that supports magnetic attachment, reattach the pen to the device’s side or top using the magnetic connection. Ensure that it is securely attached.
4. Pair via Bluetooth: If you have a Surface Pen that connects through Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth on your device and put the pen into pairing mode. Refer to the pen’s user manual for instructions on how to enable pairing mode.
5. Pair the pen with your device: On your device, go to the Bluetooth settings and search for the pen. Select the pen from the list of available devices and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
6. Test the pen: Once the pen is reconnected, test it by clicking the pen button or using it to write on the screen. It should now be working properly.

If reconnecting the Surface Pen doesn’t resolve the issue, there might be other factors affecting its functionality. Proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to find a solution.

Reset the Pen

If your Surface Pen is still not working, resetting the pen can often resolve any software or connectivity issues that may be affecting its functionality. Follow these steps to reset the Surface Pen:

1. Remove the pen battery: Start by removing the battery from the pen. Open the battery compartment and take out the AAAA battery.
2. Power off your device: Turn off your Surface device completely. Press and hold the power button until the shutdown options appear, then select “Shut down” or “Turn off”.
3. Wait for a few minutes: Leave your device powered off for at least a couple of minutes. This will ensure that any residual power is drained from the system.
4. Reinsert the pen battery: After the wait period, reinsert the battery into the pen, making sure it is properly aligned with the positive (+) and negative (-) ends.
5. Power on your device: Turn on your Surface device by pressing and holding the power button. Wait for it to boot up completely.
6. Reconnect the pen: Reconnect the Surface Pen to your device, either magnetically or via Bluetooth, as described in the previous section.
7. Test the pen: Once the pen is reconnected, test its functionality by using it to write or navigate on the screen. The reset process should have resolved any software or connectivity issues.

If the pen is still not working after performing the reset, there may be other underlying problems that need to be addressed. Continue to the following troubleshooting steps to troubleshoot further.

Update Surface Device and Pen Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can often cause issues with the functionality of the Surface Pen. Updating both the Surface device and the pen drivers can help resolve these problems. Follow these steps to update the drivers:

1. Check for Windows updates: Go to the Start Menu, open “Settings”, and navigate to “Update & Security”. Click on “Check for updates” to see if there are any available updates for your Surface device. Install any pending updates.
2. Install firmware updates: Visit the Microsoft Support website and search for the drivers and firmware updates specific to your Surface device model. Download and install any available firmware updates for your device.
3. Update pen drivers: Open the Device Manager on your Surface device. You can access Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start Menu and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu. Expand the “Human Interface Devices” category and locate the Surface Pen driver. Right-click on it and select “Update driver”. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software. If a new driver is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
4. Restart your device: After updating the drivers, restart your Surface device to ensure that the changes take effect.
5. Test the pen: Once your device has restarted, test the Surface Pen to see if it’s working properly. Try using it to write or navigate on the screen.

If updating the drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, continue troubleshooting using the next steps to determine the cause of the problem.

Disable and Re-enable the Pen in Device Manager

If your Surface Pen is still not functioning correctly, you can try disabling and re-enabling it in the Device Manager. This action can help refresh the pen’s connection and resolve any driver-related issues. Follow these steps to disable and re-enable the pen:

1. Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start Menu and select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
2. Locate the pen in Device Manager: In the Device Manager window, expand the “Human Interface Devices” category. Look for the entry that represents your Surface Pen. It may be named “HID-compliant pen” or something similar.
3. Disable the pen: Right-click on the pen entry and select “Disable device” from the context menu. Confirm the action when prompted.
4. Re-enable the pen: After disabling the pen, right-click on the entry again and this time select “Enable device”.
5. Test the pen: Once you have re-enabled the pen, test its functionality to see if it is working properly. Try writing or navigating on the screen to check if the issue has been resolved.

If disabling and re-enabling the pen in Device Manager does not resolve the problem, there may be other factors causing the issue. Move on to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate and troubleshoot the problem.

Run the Hardware Troubleshooter

If you’re still experiencing issues with your Surface Pen, running the hardware troubleshooter can help identify and resolve any hardware-related problems. The troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows that can detect and fix common hardware issues. Here’s how you can run the hardware troubleshooter:

1. Open the Settings: Click on the Start Menu and select the “Settings” gear icon.
2. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security”.
3. Access the Troubleshoot section: In the left-hand menu, select “Troubleshoot”.
4. Run the hardware troubleshooter: Scroll down the list of available troubleshooters and locate the “Hardware and Devices” option. Click on it and then select “Run the troubleshooter”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions: The troubleshooter will begin detecting and diagnosing any hardware issues on your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
6. Apply the recommended fixes: If the hardware troubleshooter detects any issues with your Surface Pen, it will provide recommendations to resolve them. Apply the recommended fixes and allow Windows to make the necessary changes.
7. Test the pen: Once the troubleshooter has completed its tasks, test the Surface Pen to see if the problem has been resolved. Try writing or navigating on the screen to check its functionality.

If the hardware troubleshooter doesn’t address the issue with your Surface Pen, continue to the next troubleshooting steps to explore further solutions.

Adjust Pen Settings in Windows Settings

If your Surface Pen is still not working properly, adjusting the pen settings in the Windows Settings can help resolve any configuration issues. By customizing the pen settings, you can optimize its performance and responsiveness. Here’s how you can adjust the pen settings in Windows Settings:

1. Open Windows Settings: Click on the Start Menu and select the “Settings” gear icon.
2. Go to Devices: In the Settings window, click on “Devices”.
3. Access the Pen & Windows Ink section: In the left-hand menu, select “Pen & Windows Ink”.
4. Customize the pen settings: In the Pen & Windows Ink settings, you can adjust various options such as pen sensitivity, button actions, and tip feel. Explore the available settings and make adjustments as per your preferences.
5. Test the changes: After customizing the pen settings, test the Surface Pen to see if the changes have improved its functionality. Write or navigate on the screen to see if the adjustments have made a difference.

Keep in mind that the available pen settings may vary depending on your device model and the version of Windows you are using. Make sure to explore all the relevant options in the Pen & Windows Ink settings.

If adjusting the pen settings does not solve the issue, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to explore further solutions.

Disable Windows Ink Workspace

If you’re still encountering problems with your Surface Pen, disabling the Windows Ink Workspace feature might help resolve any conflicts or compatibility issues with the pen. Windows Ink Workspace provides various pen-related features and apps, but disabling it can help troubleshoot pen-related problems. Here’s how you can disable Windows Ink Workspace:

1. Open Windows Settings: Click on the Start Menu and select the “Settings” gear icon.
2. Go to Devices: In the Settings window, click on “Devices”.
3. Access the Pen & Windows Ink section: In the left-hand menu, select “Pen & Windows Ink”.
4. Disable Windows Ink Workspace: Under the Pen & Windows Ink settings, toggle off the switch for “Show recommended app suggestions” and “Show recently used ink”. This will disable the Windows Ink Workspace feature.
5. Restart your device: After disabling Windows Ink Workspace, restart your Surface device to apply the changes and ensure that they take effect.
6. Test the pen: Once your device has restarted, test the Surface Pen to see if it is now functioning properly. Write or navigate on the screen to check for any improvements.

Disabling Windows Ink Workspace can help eliminate any potential conflicts or interference that may be affecting the functionality of your Surface Pen. If disabling Windows Ink Workspace doesn’t resolve the issue, continue to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate and troubleshoot the problem.

Perform a System Restore

If you’ve tried all the previous troubleshooting steps without success, performing a system restore can help resolve software-related issues that may be causing the problem with your Surface Pen. System restore allows you to revert your Surface device back to a previous point in time when it was functioning properly. Here’s how you can perform a system restore:

1. Open System Restore: Press the Windows key and search for “Create a restore point”. Click on the search result that says “Create a restore point” to open the System Properties window.
2. Access System Restore: In the System Properties window, click on the “System Restore” button. This will launch the System Restore wizard.
3. Select a restore point: In the System Restore wizard, select the option to “Choose a different restore point” and click “Next”. This will display a list of available restore points.
4. Choose a restore point: Select a restore point that predates the issue with your Surface Pen and click “Next”. It’s recommended to choose a restore point where your Surface Pen was working properly.
5. Confirm the restore point: Read the information provided about the selected restore point to ensure it’s the correct one. Click “Finish” to confirm your choice.
6. Start the system restore: Click “Yes” to confirm that you want to start the system restore process. Your Surface device will restart and begin the restoration process.
7. Wait for the restoration to complete: The system restore process may take some time to complete. Your device will restart several times during the process. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the restoration to finish.
8. Test the pen: Once the restoration is complete, test your Surface Pen to see if the issue has been resolved. Try using it to write or navigate on the screen.

If the system restore doesn’t fix the problem with your Surface Pen, it’s recommended to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Contact Microsoft Support

If you have followed all the previous troubleshooting steps and your Surface Pen is still not working properly, it may be time to reach out to Microsoft Support for further assistance. Microsoft has a dedicated support team that can provide guidance and solutions for technical issues. Here’s how you can contact Microsoft Support:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support website: Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Support website.
2. Select the appropriate product: Navigate to the section that corresponds to your Surface device. Look for the specific support options for your device model.
3. Choose the appropriate support option: Depending on your preference and the urgency of the issue, you can select options such as live chat, phone support, or submitting a support ticket.
4. Provide details about the problem: When contacting Microsoft Support, be prepared to provide detailed information about the issue you are experiencing with your Surface Pen. Include any troubleshooting steps you have already taken.
5. Follow the guidance provided: The Microsoft Support representative will guide you through additional troubleshooting steps or may recommend specific actions to resolve the issue. Follow their instructions carefully.
6. Follow up, if needed: If the initial support provided does not resolve the problem, it may be necessary to follow up with Microsoft Support. Communicate any updates or additional information regarding the issue.

Microsoft Support is equipped to handle a wide range of technical issues and can provide the most accurate and personalized assistance for your specific situation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help with your Surface Pen.