Fix Surface Pro 9 Won’t Turn On – Step by Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix a Surface Pro 9 That Won't Turn On

If your Microsoft Surface Pro 9 refuses to turn on, it can be a frustrating and worrisome experience. However, before considering professional help or a replacement, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to revive your device.

Check the Battery and Charging Cable

One of the most common reasons a Surface Pro 9 won't turn on is a completely drained battery or issues with the charging cable. Here’s what you can do:

Connect your Surface Pro 9 to the power adapter and let it charge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. If the battery was completely drained, it may take a few minutes for the charging indicator to appear[2][3][5].
Inspect the charging cable and charging port for any signs of damage. You can test the cable by using it to charge a different compatible device to ensure it is functioning properly[1][3][5].

Check the Display

Sometimes, the issue might not be with the device itself but with the display. Here are some steps to rule out display issues:

Adjust the brightness settings to ensure the screen is not just dimmed.
Connect your Surface Pro 9 to an external monitor to see if the display is the problem. If the external monitor works, it could indicate an issue with your Surface's display[1][2].

Force Restart

A force restart can often resolve temporary software issues:

Press and hold the Power button for at least 15-20 seconds until the device shuts down. Then, release the button and try turning the Surface Pro 9 back on[2][3][5].

Attempt a Two-Button Reset

For a more in-depth reset, you can try the two-button reset method:

Press and hold the Power and Volume-up buttons simultaneously for about 15 seconds. Release the buttons and then press the Power button to turn on the Surface Pro 9 again. This method can help reset the system more thoroughly[1][4].

Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your Surface Pro 9 in Safe Mode can help you identify and fix underlying system issues:

Hold the Power button for about 10 seconds to turn off your laptop.
Press the Power button again to turn it back on. When the computer restarts, hold the Power button for another 10 seconds.
Repeat this process two more times.
Then, press the Power button again and select Advanced options to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking[1].

Soft Reset and Force Shutdown

If the above methods do not work, you can perform a soft reset or force shutdown:

For a soft reset, press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds until the device shuts down. Release the button and then press it again to try to turn on the device[3].
For a force shutdown, press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds until the screen turns off. Then, press and hold the Volume-up button and the Power button simultaneously for about 15 seconds. Wait 10 seconds and then press the Power button to turn on the device[3].

Addressing System Issues

If your Surface Pro 9 still refuses to turn on, it may be due to system issues such as a damaged Master Boot Record (MBR), inactive system partition, or virus attacks:

Fix the MBR: If the MBR is damaged, it can prevent Windows from booting. You can use tools to repair the MBR[3].
Set the System partition as active: Ensure that the system partition is set as active to allow the device to boot properly[3].
Perform a System Restore: If you have a restore point, you can restore your system to a previous state when it was working correctly[3].
Reinstall Windows 10: As a last resort, reinstalling Windows 10 can replace corrupted system files and get your device running again. However, this will erase all data, so ensure you back up your files beforehand[3].

Professional Help

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be necessary to seek professional help:

Contact Microsoft Support: They can help diagnose the issue and provide repair options if necessary. You can reach them through the Microsoft Support website or by visiting an official Microsoft store[2][3].

By following these step-by-step guides, you can systematically troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue with your Surface Pro 9 that prevents it from turning on.