A Microsoft Surface is a unique take on the traditional laptop, and has the advantage of having both a touch screen, and a mouse and keyboard. When issues happen with an electronic device, one of the first troubleshooting steps to do is to restart it. Today, I will explain what can be reset on a Microsoft Surface to troubleshoot issues.
In general, the password, pin, BIOS, keyboard, headphones, pen, mouse, and network settings can be reset on a Microsoft Surface. A factory reset can also be performed which will wipe all existing settings, and data on your Microsoft surface.
Each of these components can be reset individually, or you can reset the entire device which also has the effect of restarting it. Both can be effective at solving intermittent or permanent issues with your Microsoft surface. Below, I will cover the different components and devices that are used with a Microsoft Surface and whether they can reset.
What Can You Reset in a Microsoft Surface?
A regular reset of Windows is a good first step to solve issues with a Microsoft Surface. But, in some cases the software for a component can have an issue, and the specific component or device needs to be restarted or reinstalled. Here is what can be reset on a Microsoft Surface.
The pin, password, BIOS, BIOS password, keyboard, pen, mouse, network settings, and headphones can be reset on a Microsoft Surface. Any of the components such as USB ports, the RAM, and the Bluetooth can also be reset.
In some cases, you need to know the original password to reset or factory reset a Microsoft Surface. But, in other cases you can bypass it. Below, is if it’s possible to reset each of the different components and devices on a Microsoft Surface and if possible, what’s required to do so.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Forgot Password?
There are user accounts that are controlled by Windows. If you don’t know what the password is but need to factory reset, or soft reset your Microsoft Surface, here’s a rundown of whether this is possible.
In general, it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface if you forgot the password. But, the only way to do it, is to wipe everything on your Microsoft Surface, so you will lose all of the saved data and settings. The steps to reset a Microsoft Surface if you forgot the password can be found below.
There is a special screen which needs to be accessed which gives you 2 options. One, of which is a factory reset. To enter this screen you go to where you log in and put your password in, then hold the shift key, and then select restart from the bottom right of the screen. If you continue to hold shift while it restarts it will enter this screen which will give you the option to do a factory reset. Follow the onscreen instructions to do it.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Password/Pin?
A password or a pin can be set on a Microsoft Surface as a security feature to stop people from accessing your computer. If you don’t know what the password or pin is, or have forgotten it, it’s impossible to log in. Below, is a summary of if it’s possible to
As a general rule, you can reset the password/pin for a Microsoft Surface. Ideally, you should do it from the Windows settings, but this is only possible if you know your password or pin. If you have forgotten it a factory reset is required but will wipe all the settings and files.
To do it from within Windows – when you know the existing password or pin – go to the user accounts options in Windows. The options to change the password are shown there. To do a factory reset you go to the Windows login screen by restarting your Microsoft Surface.
Then you hold down the ‘shift’ button on the keyboard, and select the option in the bottom right to restart your Microsoft Surface again. Continue holding shift and after 30 seconds or so, it will go to a blue screen that has 2 options. Select the bottom option which says ‘Factory reset’. And follow the onscreen instructions.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface BIOS?
The BIOS is the base level operating system for a computer. For certain types of issues resetting the BIOS is the best thing to do. Below, is whether you can reset the BIOS on a Microsoft Surface.
In general, you can reset the BIOS of a Microsoft Surface. There are different models of the Microsoft Surface, and each has a different motherboard. Each motherboard has unique instructions for how to reset it. This is outlined in the owner’s manual for the motherboard which can be found online.
The easiest way is to look up on Google what motherboard your version of the Microsoft Surface has. For example, if you have a Microsoft Surface 8, look up what motherboard it has. Then search Google for the owners manual for that specific motherboard. Read through the table of contents of the manual to find the options for how to reset the BIOS.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/08/2022
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Dock?
A Microsoft Surface Dock is very convenient, and makes all the cables you use for your Microsoft Surface much tidier and easier to manage. There are a few issues that can occur with a Microsoft Surface Dock, here’s a summary of if you can reset a Microsoft Surface Dock.
Overall, you can reset a Microsoft Surface Dock. To do that, you disconnect it from the power and plug it in again. Another common way to fix any issues with a Surface Dock is to update the firmware for it. Instructions for how to do that are explained below.
Microsoft has provided step by step instructions for how to update the firmware on this page, of their official website. Start by restarting it by disconnecting it from the power, and then plug it in again. If that didn’t fix the issue then update the firmware.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard?
A common issue with a Microsoft Surface keyboard is that it will stop working all together. This can be fixed in a number of ways, such as cleaning the connector pins. But, is it possible to reset a Microsoft Surface ergonomic keyboard?
As a general rule, you can reset a Microsoft Surface ergonomic keyboard. To do so uninstall it from the device manager. Use the touch screen and type in ‘device manager’. This will open a window with a list of all the devices. Then do the following.
A window will open with a list of all of the hardware components and connected devices. Look for the option that says keyboard. Press and hold it using the touchscreen, and select uninstall. Then disconnect it, and plug it back in again and your Microsoft Surface will automatically reinstall the software for it.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface from USB?
It can be impossible to log in to a Microsoft Surface if you’ve forgotten the password. Or, you may prefer to reset it using a USB stick, or USB harddrive. Below is whether this is possible or not.
Overall, it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface from the USB. But, the only option is to do a factory reset which will wipe all of the existing settings and data.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Headphones?
Virtually all headphones are universal and can be plugged into anything with a headphone jack. But, there can be an issue where you get no sound at all when they’re plugged into your Microsoft Surface. This is whether it’s possible to reset them.
In general, you can reset Microsoft Surface headphones. To soft reset them do it from the Surface app on a smartphone on your computer. A factory reset is done by holding down the power button for 20 seconds until you hear, ‘factory resetting your Surface headphones’.
Another option is to remove it as a Bluetooth device. This is done from the Bluetooth settings in Windows. After it has been removed, if you re-pair them it will in effect reset them. There is also a Surface headphones app, which should be uninstalled and reinstalled.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/08/2022
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Keyboard?
A Microsoft Surface keyboard is great because it can be completely detached. But, it can have an error where it’s unresponsive, and nothing happens when you press the keys. With most electronic devices it’s best to do a reset, so here’s whether you reset a Microsoft Surface keyboard.
As a general rule, you can reset a Microsoft Surface Keyboard. It is done by uninstalling and reinstalling it from the Device Manager. To do so open the Device Manager from the start menu by typing in ‘device manager’ into the search box. Then do the following steps.
In the list that comes up look for ‘keyboard’. Select it using your touchscreen. Then press and hold on the touch screen to open additional settings. One of these settings is ‘uninstall’. Select that to uninstall it. Then disconnect your Microsoft Surface keyboard, and connect it again. After that, Windows will automatically install the software for it fresh.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Pen?
A Microsoft Surface Pen is very handy to use on the touch screen for your Microsoft Surface. It makes drawing, and using the touch screen in a more precise way far easier. However, when it’s not working correctly it’s important to know how to fix it, so here’s if it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface pen.
Overall, you can reset your Microsoft Surface pen. To do so disconnect the battery by gently turning the top where the eraser is and then pull it apart. After that plug the battery back in. It’s also a good idea to unpair and re-pair it in the Bluetooth settings for Windows. Explained below.
To do that open the Bluetooth settings in Windows, then click on your Microsoft Surface pen that is shown there and then click remove. After that search for devices, and then add your Microsoft Surface pen again.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Without Recovery Key?
A recovery key is automatically generated to protect data from being accessed. It can be saved in a range of places but you may not be able to find a record of it. Below, is whether it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface without your recovery key.
In general, it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface without a recovery key. To do so you enter the BIOS, and then enable secure boot. When you hit apply it will begin booting your Microsoft Surface Pro. After that it will return you to the user account login screen.
If this method doesn’t work, then it’s best to find your recovery key using a bunch of different options. Refer to this article from Microsoft for how to find your BitLocker recovery key.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface BIOS Password?
If the BIOS password has been enabled it will ask you for it when you enter the BIOS. This is whether it’s possible to reset the password for the BIOS on a Microsoft Surface.
As a general rule, you can reset the Microsoft Surface BIOS password. If you know what the password is you can enter it into the BIOS settings, and it will allow you to modify it. But, if you’ve forgotten it, you need to reset the jumper which is an electronic component, explained below.
Doing so is very tricky, and there is the potential you can break something. The reason is you need to open your Microsoft Surface to access the jumper. In general, it’s best to have a qualified technician do this for you.
However, if you have some experience working with computer components, or electronics, then find out what type of motherboard your Microsoft Surface has, and then look in the owner’s manual for your specific motherboard for how to reset the jumper.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/08/2022
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface for New User?
If you’re selling a computer, or giving it away, the new person that is using it will typically want to create a new user account for themselves. It’s typically also a good idea to restore the device to factory settings. Below, is whether it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface for a new user.
Generally a Microsoft Surface can be reset for a new user. A factory reset should be performed to completely restore the Microsoft Surface to the default settings, and remove any existing files. Another option is to create a separate user account that is unique to them.
To create a new user account and delete the existing one go to the User Account settings in Windows. In general, you should set them up as an Administrator. After that you can delete your account, and then there will only be their account on it. Instead, you can also factory reset it which will remove all user accounts. Then, have them create a new one for themselves.
Can You Reset Microsoft Surface Mouse?
There is a touchpad mouse on a Microsoft Surface, but you can also plug in a USB mouse. The mouse can malfunction and not work correctly. Typically, for electronic devices it’s best to restart them when they’re having issues. Here’s a summary of if it’s possible to reset a Microsoft Surface mouse.
Overall, you can reset a Microsoft Surface mouse. To do that go to the Device Manager using your touchscreen. This is done by opening the start menu, and typing in ‘device manager’ into the search box. Then select ‘Device Manager’ from the options that come up. Then do the steps below.
Look for ‘mouse’ from the list of components. Then press and hold on it using the touchscreen and select uninstall. Or, if the mouse or touchpad is working click it using either of these. Then unplug it, and plug it back in again. Another way to reset it is to instead select ‘disable’ rather than uninstall. Then enable it again. This will also restart it. The touchpad mouse can be reset by opening the touchpad settings.
Can You Reset Network Settings Microsoft Surface?
When connecting to a WiFi or ethernet internet connection a laptop such as a Microsoft Surface can just not connect. Even though other devices can connect to it easily. Generally, a network reset is the best thing to do in this case, so here’s whether you can reset the network settings on a Microsoft Surface.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 7, 2022.
As a general rule, you can reset the network settings on a Microsoft Surface. To reset the network settings open the start menu and select the cog wheel icon on the bottom left to open all settings. A new window will pop up with a bunch of options, select Network, then do the following.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/08/2022
How to Perform a Hard Reset on Microsoft Surface to Factory Settings?
If you’re giving away a Microsoft Surface or selling it, it’s a good idea to completely remove everything, and return it back to factory settings. Or, if you’re having an issue with Windows and want to return your Microsoft Surface to how it was when you first got it then you should do a factory reset. Below are instructions for how to do a factory reset on a Microsoft Surface.
A hard reset on a Microsoft Surface is performed by turning on your Microsoft Surface and waiting for it to get to the user account log in screen. From the user login screen hold down the ‘shift button’, and select restart from the options on the lower right. Then do the following steps.
While it’s restarting, continue to hold the shift button on your keyboard. Doing so will cause it to enter a special screen. The screen will have a blue background and give you 2 options. One is to reset your Microsoft Surface. The other is to do a factory reset, and delete all settings and data. Use your mouse to select a factory reset.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 7, 2022.
Generally, the pin, password, keyboard, headphones, mouse, network settings, BIOS, and all of the settings can be reset on a Microsoft Surface. A regular Windows reset can fix many issues. But, these can also be reset individually on your Microsoft Surface.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 7, 2022.