Microsoft Surface or Laptop Won't Turn on

If your Microsoft Surface or laptop doesn't turn on, here are the steps you can try to get it running again.

Most of these steps were tested with a Microsoft Surface, but these fixes could work for most laptops. When we had this problem, all of the simplest solutions failed, so we've compiled this ultimate list of every possible fix we could find.

1: Hold Down the Power Button Method One

If your Surface recently went to sleep, hold down the power button for 15 seconds, and see if it powers up. This is how you wake any laptop from sleep. Some users have reported success by holding the power button down for about one minute.

2: Hold Down the Power Button Method Two

We're going to hold the power button down for 30 seconds. If your Surface turns off, hold down both the power button and volume up for 15-30 seconds. Your screen may flash, but don't let go of the buttons before the 15 seconds is up. After 15 seconds, release the buttons and press the power button again.

3: Charge the Battery and Check Your Charger

If your battery has drained, plug in your Surface for at least 15 minutes or longer if you can afford the time. Users have reported that 15 minutes is the sweet spot if the battery is drained. However, we prefer an hour. Some Surface laptops will not start, even when plugged in when the battery is drained.

While it might seem obvious, ensure that your charger is connected correctly.

4: Try Different Keyboard Combinations

You can press many possible keys with the Windows key to wake up your Surface. If one of these steps works, it should be immediate; however, hold each combination for a few seconds to be sure. Give each key a solid press, and if you're unsure, try each combination twice.

Windows Key + P

Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B

Volume up and down 3 times quickly

5: Check Peripherals, Power, and Battery

Unplugging connected devices might help. You can try these individually or all together, and then try the power button and or steps 1 and 2 again.

Unplug anything you have plugged into your USB ports

Attach and reattached the tablet section of your Surface

Disconnect the power adapter

Remove and reseat the battery

Clean any connectors with a pencil eraser gently. You can dip a Q-tip into rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down any connectors.

6: Hold Down the Power Button Method Three

Oh yeah, it's McGyver time.

You'll need a large rubber band and something that you can use under the rubber band to hold down the power button with the rubber band. In other words, all you're doing is holding down the power button for an hour. Keep your Surface somewhere to keep an eye on it, so if it boots, you can remove the rubber band.

Note: Before we go any further, the following solutions are for when you are desperate and have tried the steps above. If your Surface or laptop is out of warranty and you've exhausted all options, we're heading into ideas that could completely ruin your device and your warranty. If you need to recover files, we'd recommend buying a USB to HDD adapter and making a drive backup first.

Proceed with caution.

7: Cool It Down

Get a freezer bag large enough to place your Surface in. Put the Surface in the freezer on top of something that wasn't already in the freezer. A piece of cardboard should work.

The amount of time here varies from person to person. However, we think 1 hour should do the trick. Some have reported that 15 minutes worked, but the computer only booted for a few minutes. Others have gone as far as 3 hours, followed by 1 hour on the counter.

After that, leave your Surface on the counter for 15 minutes and press the power button. You could also try to power your Surface with steps 1 and 2. If your Surface boots, back up your files immediately. Whether your Surface continues to boot is a coin flip.

If you're not comfortable putting your computer in the freezer, we don't blame you. A slightly safer way that has been reported to work is to put your computer in a freezer bag and place it on top of a large pan of ice.

8: Warm It Up

Someone found the freezer trick didn't work somewhere along the line, so they went in a different direction; they heated their Surface.

Using a hairdryer or heat gun, warm up your surface from around 8-10 inches away. This method should only take 3-5 minutes. You'll want to press the power button every 30 seconds to see if it worked.

9: It's Dead, Jim

As with most how-to's, we hope you're not reading down this far because we're out of ideas. Your best bet now is to contact Microsoft or the store you purchased it from and see if they can fix or replace your Surface or laptop.

Similar:

How to Fix a Laptop That's Plugged in but Not Charging

How to Create a Notification That Your Laptop Battery Is Charged on Windows 10 & 11

How-To Change and Customize the Function Keys on Dell Laptops