Type Cover Applies to: Surface devices Get help for Surface running Windows 8.1. Note Some products might not be available in your country or region. A Type Cover is a slim keyboard with moving keys. Use it to get the speed and feel of a classic keyboard, and to go from tablet to laptop. Type Covers click magnetically into place and provide protection for your Surface touchscreen. All Surface Type Covers have a standard keyboard layout, shortcut keys, and a two-button touchpad that supports touch gestures.
The Type Cover attaches magnetically to your Surface. Bring the two close together until the Cover aligns and clicks into place. Once the Cover is connected, it stays put. When you want to remove it, just pull it away. With some Type Covers, you can pleat the back edge of it up against your Surface. This provides extra stability when you’re working on your lap. Fold the Cover back Fold the Cover back behind the screen to use your Surface as a tablet.
Type Cover protects the screen when you aren’t using it. The screen turns off automatically when you close the Cover. When you open it again, press the power button on your Surface to wake it. Note Closing the Cover turns off your Surface only if your Cover and Surface are the same size. If your Cover and Surface are different sizes, press the power button on your Surface when you close the Cover to save power.
2. Go to Start , and select Settings > Devices > Touchpad. 3. Make the changes you want. Use the keyboard Special keys and function keys Surface Covers have shortcut keys common tasks like search, playing audio or video, and more. Keys on the top row double as function keys—hold down the Fn key while you press a top-row key. The Fn key also works in combination with other keys to do certain things.
Key icon What it does These keys are available only on Covers that don’t have backlighting. 2 3 These keys are available only on Surface 3 Type Cover. 4 These keys are available on all Covers except Surface 3 Type Cover and Type Cover for Surface Pro 4. 5 This key is available only on Type Cover for Surface Pro 4. Lock keys into function mode If you’re using an app that uses function keys a lot, you can lock the top row of keys temporarily so the function keys stick.
Troubleshoot your Surface Type Cover or keyboard Applies to: Windows 8.1Windows 10 Select Product Version Note Some products might not be available in your country or region. Notes If your Surface Cover is torn or needs physical repair or replacement, go to Get my Surface fixed. If you have a Surface Keyboard or Surface Ergonomic keyboard, see Troubleshoot problems with Surface Keyboard and Surface Ergonomic Keyboard.
1. Select the search box in the taskbar, enter device manager, and select Device Manager in the results. 2. Expand Keyboards. 3. Right-click Surface Type Cover Filter Device. 4. Select Uninstall > OK. 5. Restart your Surface. It'll automatically download and install the Surface Cover driver the next time you connect to the Internet. Force a shut down See Force a shut down and restart your Surface to find out how.
The screen may flash the Surface logo, but continue holding the buttons down for at least 15 seconds. 3. After you release the buttons, wait 10 seconds. Press and release the power button to turn your Surface back on. Nothing on my Cover works Solution 1: Clean the connection between your Surface and the Cover 1. Unplug your Surface and detach the Cover. 2. Clean the magnetic connectors on your Surface and the Cover with a soft cloth and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. 3.
Solution 3: Restart your Surface 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen and tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and click Settings.) 2. Tap or click Power > Restart. Solution 4: Refresh your Surface Refreshing your Surface reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, settings, apps that came installed on your Surface, and apps you installed from Microsoft Store.
4. The Cover should click into place. You shouldn’t see any gaps or any metal at the connection points. If you don’t get a good connection, remove the Cover and attach it again. 5. Place your Surface on a firm, flat surface such as a table, with the kickstand out, and try typing on the Cover again. Solution 2: Make sure you have the latest updates Installing the updates may be all you need to get you going again. With the Cover attached, install the latest Surface and Windows updates.
1. Press and hold the power button on your Surface for 30 seconds and then release it. 2. Press and hold the volume-up button and the power button at the same time for at least 15 seconds, and then release both. The screen may flash the Surface logo, but continue holding the buttons down for at least 15 seconds. 3. After you release the buttons, wait 10 seconds. 4. Press and release the power button to turn your Surface back on.
4. The Cover should click into place. You shouldn’t see any gaps or any metal at the connection points. If you don’t get a good connection, remove the Cover and attach it again. 5. Place your Surface on a firm, flat surface such as a table, with the kickstand out, and try typing on the Cover again. Solution 2: Make sure you have the latest updates Installing the updates may be all you need to get you going again. With the Cover attached, install the latest Surface and Windows updates.
If you have one of And one of these these Covers Surface models Surface Pro 3 Surface 3 Type Cover Attach the Cover and Surface Pro 3 Surface 3 Touch Cover (early model) Surface Pro Type Cover (early model) Use the Trackpad Settings app. It’s available for free from Microsoft Store. For more info, see Touchpad use and settings. Solution 5: Two-button shutdown (Surface Pro models only) Important Don’t use this process on Surface RT, Surface 2, or Surface 3.
Solution 7: Reset your Surface A reset does the following: Removes all your personal settings Removes all apps that you installed Gives you the option of keeping or removing your personal files For info on resetting your Surface, see Restore, refresh, or reset Surface Pro or Surface 3. If you still have a problem If there’s still have a problem with your Surface Cover, contact us.
5. Place your Surface on a firm, flat surface such as a table, with the kickstand out, and try typing on the Cover again. Solution 2: Make sure you have the latest updates Installing the updates may be all you need to get you going again. With the Cover attached, install the latest Surface and Windows updates. See Install Surface and Windows updates to learn how. Solution 3: Restart your Surface 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen and tap Settings.
o Tap or click Add an input method to select a different keyboard layout. Then choose the layout from the list and tap or click Add. Check which keyboard layout you’re using If you have more than one language or layout set up, you may need to switch to the one you want. You can switch between them from the taskbar. Here’s how: Tap or click the language abbreviation at the right edge of the taskbar, and tap or click the language or layout you want to use.
Gives you the option of keeping or removing your personal files For info on resetting your Surface, see Restore, refresh, or reset Surface Pro or Surface 3. If you still have a problem If you still have a problem with your Surface Cover, contact us. I’m having trouble with backlighting or the touchscreen brightness keys Solution 1: Adjust the keyboard backlighting Adjust the keyboard backlighting with the brightness keys on your Cover. To decrease the backlighting, use the key.
