HDMI is an output only and display port over usb3 is output or to connect an external display or external graphics card. It is not intended for different computers to be able to use each others built in display. You can use a HDTV as a display. To be fair, the keyboard travel on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is relatively low, but its keys are clicky and the situation is not as bad as on the MacBook Pro. (Image credit: Laptop Mag).

Summary :

If you are a Surface user, it is very common to encounter issues such as Surface keyboard not working or Type Cover not responding. That is very annoying and brings much inconvenience to users. MiniTool will show you some solutions to fix it.

When your Surface Pro keyboard stops working, you need to find the cause and then carry out operations to fix the issue. Here are some solutions that you can have a try. If you are not sure which one should be applied, try them one by one.

Would you like to know how to prevent on-screen keyboard from popping up on Windows 10? This post will provide you with some reliable solutions.

Method 1: Restart Surface

When the Surface keyboard not working issue happens, the first thing you should do is to restart your Surface. In general, this method can help you solve some common errors. Here’s how to do.

Step 1:Disconnect your keyboard from the machine.

Step 2:Reboot your Surface.

Step 3: Reconnect your keyboard and check if the keyboard can be used normally. If this method can work, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, you should consider trying other methods.

Method 2: Check Keyboard

Connect Microsoft Surface Keyboard To Mac Computer

After the Microsoft Surface keyboard not working error occurs, check if there’s something wrong with the Surface keyboard. If the keyboard itself has been broken or damaged, your keyboard cannot work as usual even though you perform the following actions to troubleshoot it.

Unplug the keyboard from the device, and then try connecting to another Surface that can work normally. If it works normally, it indicates there are some issues with your previous Surface settings. On the contrary, if it doesn’t work, the keyboard itself has been damaged. You need to replace it with a new keyboard.

Does Surface Keyboard Work With Mac

In this case, you can try the next method to fix the keyboard stopped working on laptop issue.

The keyboard backlight not working issue may occur both on Windows and Mac. Don’t worry. Here, this post will show you some methods to fix it.

Method 3: Clean Connectors

When dust or other objects block the connection, the keyboard may be unable to connect to the Surface correctly. It usually takes place after you have been using the Surface for quite a long time without cleaning it.

Shut down the Surface entirely. After that, clean the connectors with a clean cloth and a little alcohol. Alternatively, you can also utilize a q-tip to clean it more properly. When the cleaning operation finishes, wait around two to three minutes. Then turn on your computer and connect the keyboard to check if the issue is solved.

Method 4: Reset Surface

Some faulty files or configurations on your system can result in Surface keyboard not working, while resetting your device can help you clear them. Here are specific steps.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows and I keys.

Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security, and then select Recovery in the left panel.

Step 3: Click on Get Started in the right side of the page.

Step 4: In the pop-up page, you can either to choose keep my files or remove everything. It is recommended that you should choose keep my files, because if this operation cannot fix the issue, you can repeat the above steps and choose remove everything.

Step 5: Then follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Surface. After that, boot your device and check if the keyboard can work again.

These are all the solutions to fix Surface laptop keyboard not working issue. Please feel free to pick one from them.

Your device isn't recognised by your Mac

Follow these steps if your mouse, keyboard or trackpad isn't recognised by your Mac.

Make sure your wireless mouse, keyboard or trackpad is turned on

The Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 have a slide switch on the bottom of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device. On the Magic Mouse, the green LED lights up briefly. On the Magic Mouse 2, green colouring is visible beneath the switch.

The Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 have a slide switch on the back edge of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device (green colouring becomes visible). Earlier Apple Wireless Keyboard models have a power button on the right-hand side of the device. Press the button and you can see a green LED on top of the device, near the button.

When you turn these devices on, they appear as connected in Bluetooth preferences and in the Bluetooth menu in your menu bar. If a device doesn't appear there, make sure it's charged or replace it batteries, and make sure it's been paired with your Mac.

Make sure your device has been set up to work with your Mac

Find out how to pair your Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Trackpad 2 and earlier models of Apple wireless devices with your Mac.

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on

Use your Mac notebook's built-in trackpad or a USB mouse to choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

Refer to the table below for more information on determining the Bluetooth status. If the Bluetooth icon doesn't appear or if the menu bar status continues to indicate that Bluetooth is off, restart your computer and try turning Bluetooth on again.

Make sure your devices are charged

Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and Magic Trackpad 2 have built-in rechargeable batteries. You can charge these devices by connecting them to a Mac or a USB power adapter using a Lightning to USB Cable. For the fastest battery charging performance, make sure your device is switched on when connected to the Lightning to USB Cable.

To check the battery level of these devices, click the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, then select your device by name. If the battery level of any device is low, recharge the device. If the device isn’t showing, make sure the device is turned on using the steps outlined above.

Turn the device off and on

If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard or trackpad isn't recognised by your Mac after following the tips above, try turning the wireless device off, waiting a few seconds, then turning it back on.

Your mouse or keyboard intermittently stops responding

• Click the mouse or trackpad or press a key on the keyboard to reconnect the device to the computer. It might take a moment for the device to respond.
• Check for wireless interference.

Your mouse doesn't scroll up or down or side to side

If you can't use your mouse to scroll through a web page or document, make sure you're using the correct Multi-Touch gestures and have set up your scrolling speed preferences correctly.

Your mouse or trackpad doesn't track as expected

Apple Wireless Mouse, Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 can be used on most smooth surfaces. If tracking issues occur, try these options:

• Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Mouse. Set the ”Tracking speed” slider to adjust how fast the pointer moves as you move the mouse.
• Try using a different surface to see if tracking improves.
• Turn the mouse over and inspect the sensor window. Use compressed air to gently clean the sensor window if dust or debris is present.
• If multiple Bluetooth wireless devices are in use nearby, try turning them off one at a time to see if the issue improves.

Find out more about what to do if your trackpad isn't tracking correctly.

Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond

Use the Keyboard Viewer to test whether the keyboard keys are responding correctly when they are pressed.

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
2. Click the Input Sources tab.
3. Make sure the keyboard language you use is listed on the left-hand side. If it's not, click the add button (+) and choose from the languages that appear.
4. Select the ”Show Input menu in menu bar” tickbox.
5. Click the Keyboard tab, then select the ”Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar” tickbox, if present.
6. From the Input menu in the menu bar, choose Show Keyboard Viewer. The Keyboard Viewer showing the keyboard layout appears on your display.
7. Type the key on the keyboard that doesn’t respond and see if the corresponding key is highlighted on the Keyboard Viewer. If it does, that key is functioning correctly.

If you enable the Mouse Keys feature, some keys might not respond as you expect. To turn off Mouse keys, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility. Choose Mouse & Trackpad from the list on the left-hand side, then deselect the Enable Mouse Keys tickbox.