Surface Pro Keyboard Dead

This may be the wrong forum, but I'm trying everything! Apologies in advance if this doesn't belong.

My SP8 keyboard has stopped working, and I obviously don't know if it's the keyboard, or if the computer has stopped recognizing it.

It's a MSFT-branded Surface Pro Signature keyboard (type cover) on my SP8 (OS details below).

By "not working" - the computer does not respond to the keys or the built-in trackpad. The backlit keys don't light, and pressing the 'Fn' and 'Caps' keys have no effect - neither lights when pressed. USB drives connect just fine, and the Surface power cord works just fine. Bluetooth and WiFi are unaffected. The Slim Pen works correctly but does not seem to be charging (using the charging/storage well on the cover).

I first noticed this last night (1-Nov, approx. 6PM). The PC (and keyboard) were both put into use in June 2022, and neither have malfunctioned before yesterday. I Shut Down the PC, folded the cover, put in my briefcase, walked home from the office, and rebooted. Everything had been fine all day, but did not work when I rebooted. Has not worked since.

One thing that is odd - a few times after reboots and detach/reattachments (see troubleshooting below), the keys would light for a second or two, and presing the Fn key would light the Fn key, but all other key/cursor/trackpad remained inoperable. After a few seconds, the Fn key light would extinguish and would not work again.

So two questions:

1. What else (besides the below), can I try?
2. How do I determine if this is a keyboard issue or a PC issue? I have ordered a new keyboard, but before I break the seal, would like some idea!

Troubleshooting Attempted
=========================

• Cleaned contact points on both keyboard and PC with isopropyl
• Several combinations of force reboots (with power attached/not attached, with keyboard attached, not attached)
  Including holding power for 20 seconds on restart
• Updated from build 22635.4435 (KB5044377) to 22635.4440 (KB5045889)
  (Note: I updated *after* discovering the issue; I have been on Beta releases for over a year with no problems)
• Checked UEFI (no Devices menu)
• Uninstalled the Drivers and rebooted
• Swore unholy words loudly
• Attached keyboard "backwards" and reattached

Thanks for any help
Crossposted on MSFT and SurfaceForums.net

Try the "force reboot" method from MS site: Troubleshoot Surface Type Cover or Keyboard - Microsoft Support

Thanks. I had already worked all of those steps, no success.

Alonzo Mosley said:

Swore unholy words loudly

Click to expand...

Did you recite them backwards?

Wasn’t there a way to reset the Surface Pro keyboards in the past? Or is that included in one of your attempted fixes?
I seem to recall a member who had to do it. Maybe it was on another forum. I can’t remember.

antspants said:

Wasn’t there a way to reset the Surface Pro keyboards in the past? Or is that included in one of your attempted fixes?

Click to expand...

If there is, my Googling didn't find it. Would welcome any direction!

Alonzo Mosley said:

If there is, my Googling didn't find it. Would welcome any direction!

Click to expand...

It may of been that page above. It was posted whilst I was searching and didn’t see it.
I searched until my eyes bled. I couldn’t find it.

What I might suggest, unless you know smeone with a Surface that you can try keyboard on or try theirs on yours.

Make a backup of your Surface as it is. Reinstall everything (I don’t know the Surface process)
Just to make sure something obscure hasn’t occurred. At least with a fresh install, you could rule that out and conclude maybe that the keyboard might just be dead.

Loose ribbon cable, maybe?

The good thing about Surface devices is that they're easy to open, if I recall correctly. Just a few screws and the bottom panel is held in place with magnets. No antiquated, easily breakable plastic clips.

Might be something to check after exhausting all other options.

Vsynced said:

Loose ribbon cable, maybe?

The good thing about Surface devices is that they're easy to open, if I recall correctly. Just a few screws and the bottom panel is held in place with magnets. No antiquated, easily breakable plastic clips.

Might be something to check after exhausting all other options.

Click to expand...

I don't think you recall correctly!

Alonzo Mosley said:

I don't think you recall correctly!

Click to expand...

Oof. It's the newer Snapdragon surface models that use magnets.

Oh, like anyone knows how magnets work...

Alonzo Mosley said:

Oh, like anyone knows how magnets work...

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Huh?

Forgot to add: I ran Surface Diagnostic Tool and it said it couldn't check the keyboard because it didn't test third-party equipment, but it is in fact a MSFT-branded keyboard.

Also, the Slim Pen is NOT charging; it's lost 2% idling overnight.

Vsynced said:

Huh?

Click to expand...

So replacement keyboard works. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Thanks everyone.

Alonzo Mosley said:

So replacement keyboard works. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Thanks everyone.

Click to expand...

you were sent a replacement for free?

Oh, no. Paid retail!

Alonzo Mosley said:

Oh, no. Paid retail!

Click to expand...

How totally inconvenient.

This happened to me too on my SPX! I spent many hours troubleshooting, it was incredibly frustrating.
I also ended up buying a new keyboard cover. Kind of ridiculous you can brick a MS keyboard with a MS OS update.
The weirdest part is that, initially, I was able to workaround the problem by attaching the keyboard backwards, then reattaching, but NOT letting the keyboard fold up (so that the pen-hold area is flush against the display). It then lost that ability with some of the subsequent troubleshooting (maybe a system reset). Anyway, I'm still in the return period of the new keyboard so please share if anyone finds a fix.

I tried the "backward" thing, but that shouldn't work... Since the connectors are only on the right tab.