Surface Pen Not Working? 7 Fixes to Try

Before throwing it at the wall

Can you pair your Surface Pen to your Surface laptop or tablet? Does the Surface Pen constantly disconnect from your device? Is the stylus paired but not writing?

We’ll show you troubleshooting fixes to try if a Surface Pen isn’t working on yourMicrosoft Surface Pro, Go, Book, or Laptop.

1. Verify Your Surface Pen’s Compatibility

Surface Pens have varying designs, specifications, and features. Hence, not all Surface Pens will work on yourMicrosoft Surfaceor Windows PC.

Refer to thisMicrosoft Support documentationif you’re unsure what Surface Pen model you have. This resource also highlights the features, specifications, and device compatibility information for all Surface Pen models.

2. Charge or Replace Your Surface Pen’s Battery

Your Surface Pen won’t function correctly if low on battery power or if the battery is bad. So check the pen’s battery level and charge it if low.

You can view your Surface Pen’s battery level through the Windows Settings menu, Surface app, or by putting the pen in pairing mode.

Press and hold theeraser or top buttonof the Surface Pen for five to seven seconds. If the LED indicator flashes a green light, your Surface Pen has sufficient battery power. A red flashing light means your Surface Pen battery is low or dead.

Open the Windows 11Settingsapp and selectBluetooth & deviceson the sidebar. Check the “Mouse, keyboard, & pen” section for your Surface Pen’s battery level.

In Windows 10, head toSettings>Bluetooth & devicesand check the battery level next to your Surface Pen.

Open the Surface app and check theAccessoriestab for your pen’s battery level.

Replace your Surface Pen’s AAAA batteries if they won’t hold a charge or if the pen malfunctions. If your Surface Pen has no clip, pull out its top end to remove the dead or bad battery.

To remove the battery on Surface Pens with a button on the flat edge, turn the eraser end anti-clockwise until you hear a click, and pull out the cap.

You need a jeweler’s Phillips screwdriver to change the size 319 coin cell batteries in Surface Pens with two side buttons.

Refer toMicrosoft’s official documentation on changing Surface Pen batteriesif you have any issues replacing your pen’s batteries.

The batteries in the Surface Slim Pen and Slim Pen 2 are not removable or replaceable. Dock the pen in a compatible charging accessory for some minutes and check if they work correctly afterward.

Your Surface Slim Pen will charge on a Surface Slim Pen charger, Surface Pro X Signature Keyboard, or Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.

The LED light on your Surface Slim Pen should fade in and out when docked (and charging) in a compatible accessory. Update your Microsoft Surface if the pen doesn’t charge.

3. Replace Surface Pen Tip

Surface Pens malfunction or become less responsive when the tip wears down due to frequent usage or physical damage. Replace your Surface Pen’s rubber nib tip if it has a tear or crack.

Use a tweezer to pull out the worn-out or damaged pen tip and insert a replacement tip. Push the tip into the pen and ensure it locks into place.

If you don’t have extra pen tips, buy one from Amazon or theMicrosoft Store. Ensure you get tips designed for your Surface Pen model.

4. Unpair and Reconnect Your Surface Pen

Removing and reconnecting the stylus might stop your Surface Pen from disconnecting randomly.

Go toSettings, selectBluetooth & deviceson the sidebar, select yourSurface Penand selectRemove device.

In Windows 10, head toSettings>Devices>Bluetooth & other devices, select your Surface Pen, and selectRemove device.

Return to the Windows Bluetooth settings, put your Surface Pen in pairing mode, and reconnect it to your device.

In Windows 10, go toSettings>Devices>Bluetooth & other devicesand selectAdd Bluetooth or other device.

Update your Surface device’s graphics or display driver if the pen still doesn’t work when paired.

5. Update or Re-Enable Your Display/Graphics Driver

You might experience issues using your pen if yourSurface tabletor laptop’sgraphic driver is out-of-date. Connect your Surface to the internet and follow the steps below to check for driver updates.

Windows will search for the latest graphics driver available for your Surface. If it finds a newer version, follow the prompts on the following update to install the update.

Disable and re-enable your graphics driver if the problem persists.

Your Surface’s screen should go on and off. Re-enable the graphics driver when the screen comes back on.

Your screen will go black and come back on again. Try using your Surface Pen and check if re-enabling the graphics driver resolved the issue.Reset your Surface’s graphics driverif the pen still doesn’t work.

6. Update Your Surface

Software-related glitches and outdated firmware can cause your Surface Pen to malfunction. Hence, we recommend updating your Surface’s operating system to the latest version.

Connect your Surface Pen or Surface Pen charging accessory to your Surface, head toSettings>Windows Updateand selectCheck for updates.

If your Surface device runs Windows 10, head toSettings>Update & Security>Windows Updateand selectCheck for updates.

Install the latest Windows updates and keep your Surface Pen or Surface Pen charging accessory connected throughout the process.

7. Restart Your Surface

Rebooting your Surface might fix temporary system glitches causing Surface Pen failures. Close all applications or documents before rebooting your Surface, so you don’t lose unsaved data.

Press and hold thePower buttonon your Surface for about 30 seconds. Wait about 10 seconds for your Surface to shut down and press thePower buttonagain to turn it back on.

Get a New Surface Pen

You can request a replacement pen from Microsoft depending on the warranty status of your Surface Pen. Contact Microsoft Support or visit a nearbySurface Service Centerto check your pen’s eligibility for replacement.

You may be charged a service fee if your Surface Pen is faulty and out of warranty.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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Surface Pen Not Working? 7 Fixes to Try#

1. Verify Your Surface Pen’s Compatibility#

2. Charge or Replace Your Surface Pen’s Battery#

3. Replace Surface Pen Tip#

4. Unpair and Reconnect Your Surface Pen#

5. Update or Re-Enable Your Display/Graphics Driver#

6. Update Your Surface#

7. Restart Your Surface#

Get a New Surface Pen#

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