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Repair guides for the Surface Book 2 15", The 15 inch version of the hybrid laptop/tablet manufactured by Microsoft. This device was released in November 2017.

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Constant Attaching/Detaching of Keyboard and tried obvious solutions

Recently I have come upon an issue where the keyboard keeps attaching and detaching intermittently.

I am no stranger to this issue over my 2 years of using this computer. Usually I have to just clean the connectors and it works again. If that doesn’t solve the problem right there, a hard reset (power + volume up held for 30 seconds) usually resolves this. Also I can tell it’s the connectors because moving the laptop around or adjusting the screen pivot usually triggers the issue reliably before I clean it.

However this time I am stumped. I have cleaned the connectors (both the keyboard and computer side) thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. The screen can attach fine no problem and everything is working. Moving the monitor around, shaking the laptop, gentle taps, don’t trigger any upset to the connection. However the computer is now attaching and detaching constantly regardless of the conditions (moving or not moving).

The timing of this can be as fast as 10 seconds apart and as slow as 5 minutes apart between attaching/detaching interruptions. When it is ‘detached’ on many occasions the keyboard and mouse still work. Other times it actually interrupts their functionality.

Things I tried:

  • hard reset multiple times
  • cleaning thoroughly the connectors
  • making sure windows is updated
  • making sure drivers are updated

Only thing I haven’t done yet is a full hard reset. Looking to get my files/programs in order to do a full wipe and hope for the best.

The computer was working perfectly until after one quick site visit where I reattached the keyboard and used it as a bulky tablet. Right after I put it back into it’s original laptop form, the issue popped up. I keep thinking it’s physical but I am not sure what the cause could be. My highest suspicion revolves around the cable that runs along the hinge of the keyboard, connecting it to the pins (only a suspicion, I am not sure as tilting the monitor doesn’t cause any detaching issues directly). But I am at a loss as to how to check or deal with that.

Sorry for the long description but if there are any thoughts I can try I would love to hear them. I am out of warranty so dealing with Microsoft is a no go.

Thank you!

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Hi Doug, this was a great breakdown of the issue. I am having the exact same issue, even having trouble just typing this response. I did want to share one thing that seemed to help for a time. If you go into task manager, stop the Surface DTX Service. Good luck, hope we both find a more permanent solution.

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I faced the same issue. Its currently resolved with stop the Surface DTX service

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I had this very annoying problem and just accidentally fixed it.

I was trying to clean the slots on the underside of the screen and I popped off the plate that surrounds them. I noticed that there was crud under the plate so I cleaned it out and, low and behold, 2 tiny magnets appeared under the crud.

After cleaning them I put the plate back on and the problem is totally gone.

Apparently the surfacebook uses those magnets to know its attached and if enough crud gets in the way they stop working reliably.

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Can you give more detail on where the magnets are located?

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UGH OMG ive been cleaning these ports for AGES and never thought to clean the top of the male side of the connector. THANK YOU

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Hey Jeffery, can you help me locate where the magnets is and how you popped off the plates and all that. I have exact same problem as yours.

Here is my email: yahyazakaria771@gmail.com

Facebook: Yahya Alkhateeb

Thanks

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hello~ can you help me too?

where the magnets is and how you popped off the plates and all that. I have exact same problem as yours.

Here is my email: anthony91@suwoncca.org

thanks

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Hey can u guys help me tooo i have this problem for a year now and it just started today only my email is jaskaransgofficial@gmail.com

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On Surface Book laptops with intermittent connectivity issues between the keyboard and the screen - often the problem is oxidation developing on the metal contacts. A good electronic contact cleaner like Deoxit D100L should be able to remove the oxidation because isopropyl alcohol alone generally can't remove oxidation. I've found success on a number of Surface Book laptops with the following procedure: Detach the screen. Apply Deoxit D100L to both sides of the three keyboard contacts on the keyboard as well as both sides of the dock connector on the screen, and then reattach the screen. Open and close the lid a few times to work the liquid into the connection. Detach the screen and wipe away any excess liquid from the keyboard contacts. The liquid is non-conductive, so there no risk of shorting; but since the liquid has red dye in it, it's a good idea to clean off the excess so it doesn't stain your clothes.

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@pe20230120 - ordered the D100L, but still having the disconnect issue. Do you let it sit in there or any other tricks? Any help is appreciated.

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Good morning,

I always say if you have issues don't add to another question create a new one instead, but i'll answer here to save time.

Check to see if any of your pads on either half of the laptop are corroded/covered over. Also try and move the halves until you can hold it together and it stays always connected.

That is what will tell you if it is pads that are the problem. If both fail, it's time to create a new question and tell us everything we need to diagnose it

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I had same same issue. I placed base key board at sunlight. Now it's works fine

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It's also possible that it's a hardware failure.

Firstly check out the Microsoft tutorials on Fix problems detaching or attaching your Surface Book keyboard.

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I don’t know everything I tried…. ha.

I actually just went out and got a Bluetooth keyboard and when I hooked it up the disconnecting problem went away. I picked up an small Anker brand at Walmart. I have uninstalled it and installed it a couple of times when the problem came back after updates. I am glad I didn’t return it after everything started working again. Knock on wood it keeps fixing the problem. I don’t think I will update for awhile to keep the magic going. Good luck.

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I had a similar problem and was solved the same way, I think it is a flaw in the design that led to problems in use. It is very unfortunate that the manufacturer has made such mistakes that directly affect the user experience. Because of such flaws I had problems with the work on the project site https://studyhippo.com/essays-by-categor... with ready essay samples of homework. I had to give up this device. I think that in time all the shortcomings will be corrected and then this product will definitely find its buyer.

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Hi Doug. I am having this exact same issue. In frustration, I stopped using my SB for about 3 weeks. When I turned it back on, the problem had disappeared. Unfortunately, after 2 days, it returned. I have tried every proposed fix I could find online, but nothing has worked. Did you ever find a permanent solution? Thanks, Sean.

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I have been having the same issue. Typing also triggers the detachment. The light turns green and my processes freeze. Also my five and six keys do not work along with my tab key. I have tried everything above. This is the second surface book (I have the OG surface book) and I had to return it. I really don’t want to keep starting over on a whole new hard drive. Also, with no stores I have to mail it in and pray it comes back in a timely manner. I can’t be without my device for long. I run my business from it. Ugh. Best of luck to you all.

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Mine plainly came back to good working order on its own. Guys, it's so weird! I sent mine to post-warranty and they returned it saying that the fluid marker was activated and that they could only replace the whole Dock board for around 1800 euros. I told them to return it to me because other than maybe vapour or condensation there was no fluid contact with the laptop and that their solution is absurd! I changed my laptop from SB2 to another because I couldn't work like that (i.e. with an external keyboard) and after a year on the shelf, when a friend asked if he could use it as a desktop replacement at home, we just figured it worked just as before (this after all the updates - many - were made)… so, my SB2 works great now!

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Using rubbing alcohol to clean the pins on the connectors helps. This was the last thing I tried because the pins looked clean to me. It was surprsing that it worked. Use compressed air to clean the connectors on the display part if you have a can of it.

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Hi.

I have exactly the same problem. I've done everything you discribe plus a total reset. Nthe error is still present..

It shows when i'm working with word or using file explorer.,

Did you find a solution on your side ?

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I had this same exact issue, I tried everything above. However after more troubleshooting, mine was most certainly a hardware failure. Since if you held the screen just right it would work. I have added a guide of what I did to take apart the base if you have to replace the Dock Connector.

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I ran into this today and I realized it was not charging also. It eventually ran out of juice and now won't turn on. Not sure what may have happened. Worked perfectly up until today. I noticed that the surge protector was off, I wonder if a rain storm with lightening may have damaged it. Sucks, only got about 2 years use out of this expensive thing.

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Hi there, I have found that on the screen side of the middle connectors there is a metallic bezel around the connector ports which may have old glue accumulate under it which may dry out after 2-3 years of usage.

I suspect this accumulate starts to flake into connectors causing odd issues and potentially interfering with the magnet (which may also be weakening over time. I can't conclude that, maybe someone more knowledgeable could.)

Now I don't recommend doing this in the first instance but if you've come to a point where no amount of cleaning is helping, and you have very carefully inspected there is no further debris externally.

Once you have determined the above, then it's worth giving the following a go!

Anyways, using something hard gently lift this metallic bezel. You may find it lifts quite easy, it did in my case. If you can't get under it, I found the easiest point is sliding under it via the fan grill.

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Once you've pulled it off, use some Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean cloth to clean any excess gunk from both the bezel that has been removed and the now exposed surface under the bezel. Place the bezel back in location and try using the keyboard.

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I have not, and do not know if there is a suitable replacement adhesive to better secure the bezel after this cleaning. The magnets and the fact it's sandwiched appear to be holding this in place just fine (although, it will be more of an issue when using 'tablet' mode.)

If anyone knows a suitable adhesive that would be great!

(Thanks to @jeffreykess6484 above for the direction.)

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Mine also came out and created same problem. Later I felt issue came because of moisture. So I placed key board part at bright sun light for an hours. Then problem fully get resolved. One month is over not yet faced any problem. Later I bought one more second hand laptop incase

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