Sign in with Microsoft
Sign in or create an account.
Hello,
Select a different account.
You have multiple accounts
Choose the account you want to sign in with.

If you're having trouble detaching or attaching your Surface Book keyboard, here are some steps to try to get things working again.

Note: If you're having problems typing or using the touchpad on your Surface Book keyboard, see Troubleshoot Surface Type Cover or Keyboard.

First things to try

First, let's check some of the most common things that can cause problems with detaching or attaching your keyboard. 

Make sure that you have the latest updates installed on your Surface Book. For more info on installing updates, see Install Surface and Windows updates. If your Surface Book doesn't restart automatically, select the Start  button, and then select Power  > Restart.

If your screen and keyboard are not correctly attached, you can't detach the keyboard. If the Detach  Detach key  key flashes green, it means that the keyboard isn't connected properly. Push the screen down onto the keyboard with moderate pressure to attach the keyboard more securely. You'll know they’re securely attached once the Detach key has a solid green light. 

Both batteries in the Surface Book must be charged above 10 percent to detach the keyboard. If either of the batteries has less than a 10 percent charge, the green light on the Detach key won’t come on when you press it and you won’t be able to detach the keyboard. Instead, a red light will appear briefly on the Detach key.

To fix this, charge your Surface Book until the green light comes on when you press the Detach key.

If the keyboard doesn’t appear to be charging, see Surface won’t turn on, Windows won’t start, or the battery won’t charge.

Try these steps if you can't detach the keyboard:

Wait for the green light before detaching

Press the Detach key briefly, and then wait until the green light appears on the key (about ten seconds) before trying to detach the keyboard.

Restart your Surface Book

Select the Start  button, and then select Power  > Restart to restart your Surface Book.

Force a shut down

For more details, see Force a shut down and restart your Surface.

Shut down graphics-intensive apps (for Surface Book with Performance Base only): 

If you try to detach the Performance keyboard while an app is using the graphics processor in that keyboard, you’ll see a message offering to shut down the app (or apps).

To prevent this, save your work, allow Surface Book to shut down the apps, and then detach the keyboard.

Use the Detach icon on the taskbar

If the keyboard is charged but the Detach key doesn’t release it, use the Detach  Detach key  icon on the taskbar to release the keyboard.

Complete a partial detach

If only one side of the keyboard detaches, push the sections back together. Then try the Detach key on the keyboard again.

After trying these steps, if you can detach the keyboard, make sure to clean the connectors on your Surface Book.

You can detach your keyboard with either the Detach key on the keyboard or with the Detach  Detach key  icon on the taskbar. If you don’t see the icon, try the following:

Restart your Surface Book

Select the Start  button, and then select Power  > Restart to restart your Surface Book.

Turn on Surface DTX in Task Manager and restart your Surface Book

If you still don’t see the Detach  Detach key icon on the taskbar, Surface DTX might be turned off. Here’s how to turn it on:

  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type task manager, and then select Task Manager from the list of results.

  2. In Task Manager, select the Startup tab.

  3. If the Surface DTX status is shown as Disabled, select Surface DTX in the list and select Enable.

  4. Close Task Manager.

  5. Select the Start  button, and then select Power  > Restart to restart your Surface Book.

Force a shut down

For more details, see Force a shut down and restart your Surface.

Dirty connectors on your keyboard can cause problems with attaching or detaching and may cause your Surface Book to stop responding or crash. Here's how to clean your connectors:

  1. Disconnect the power cord from your Surface Book and unplug any video adapters and USB devices such as printers, keyboards, and mice.

  2. Detach the keyboard.

  3. Wet a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol (use 95 percent isopropyl alcohol or higher if possible). Use the swab to clean the silver pins on both faces of the three connectors, located on the top middle surface of the keyboard hinge. Rub the swab back and forth vigorously, and use a fresh swab surface to clean each of the six connector faces. For more info, see Clean and care for Surface.

  4. Check that the pins are dry and that there are no cotton fibers or small objects on the connector.

  5. Reattach the screen to the keyboard.

Notes: 

  • Don’t detach the keyboard while your Surface Book is shutting down. If you accidentally press the Detach key while your Surface Book is shutting down, press the key again. You can attach the keyboard at any time.

  • If you're in Draw Mode or View Mode, the keyboard and touchpad are disabled to prevent accidental keystrokes.

  • You can charge the keyboard while it’s detached.

  • To charge the screen while it’s detached, use the power port in the center of the bottom edge, where it connects to the keyboard.

If you're still having problems

Reset your Surface

If you’ve tried the other troubleshooting steps and you’re still having problems detaching your keyboard, try resetting your Surface Book. Resetting lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then it reinstalls Windows. For more info on resetting your Surface, see Restore or reset Surface.

There's one last step you can take. If these steps don't resolve the problem, service and support options may be available to assist you.

Shows a truck icon.

​​​​​​Send to Microsoft
To prepare your device for shipping to Microsoft, you can print a shipping label, check your Microsoft warranty, and create service orders.​​

Even smaller button.

Find in-person support
Currently China, India, and Japan have in-person support available—which can include professional hardware inspection, troubleshooting, and system recovery.

Shows a wrench icon.

Self-repair
If you're technically experienced and have the right tools, Microsoft has a select range of replaceable components and service guides that enable you to perform the repairs.

Note: Availability may be limited for some countries or products.

To learn more, go to How to get service or repair for Surface.

Related topics

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Was this information helpful?

What affected your experience?
By pressing submit, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Your IT admin will be able to collect this data. Privacy Statement.

Thank you for your feedback!

×