Troubleshoot your Surface Pen
Applies To
Surface Devices SurfaceThis article provides troubleshooting steps to help resolve issues with your Surface Pen if it isn't writing, opening apps, or connecting to Bluetooth.
Common issues
Here are some things you can try first.
Check for updates
You can quickly check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware using the Surface app.
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In the Surface app, expand Help & support to check if the update status is "You're up to date" or something else.
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If needed, select the option to update the devices.
Note: If you don't have the Surface app installed, you can download the Surface app from the Microsoft Store. When it has downloaded, select Start, search for Surface, then select the app from the list of results.
Check if your Surface Pen is compatible with your Surface
For more info, go to Identify your Surface Pen and features.
Note: Surface Laptop Go models and Surface Laptop 7th Edition are not compatible with the Surface Pen, as they do not support inking or writing.
Check the battery level of your pen
You can quickly find your pen's battery level in the Surface app.
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At the bottom of the app, you will see your connected Surface accessories.
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Find your pen to view its battery level.
Note: If you don't have the Surface app installed, you can download the Surface app from the Microsoft Store. When it has downloaded, select Start, search for Surface, then select the app from the list of results.
Make sure the pen is paired with your device to view its battery level. For more help, please view Use Surface Slim Pen 2.
Alternatively, you can check the general battery level by pressing the top button on the Pen. If the LED light color is amber or red, it indicates that the battery is low and needs to be charged or replaced depending on the type of pen used.
For more help charging your Surface Slim Pen, please view Fix problems with charging Surface Slim Pen or for help changing the batteries in Surface Pen, please view Change Surface Pen batteries.
My pen won't pair with my Surface
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To enable Bluetooth pairing mode on your Surface Pen, press and hold the top button for about 5-7 seconds. The LED light will begin to flash continuously, indicating that the pen is ready to pair.
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Next, Open Bluetooth settings on your PC and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then, select the option Add device.
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Choose Surface Pen in the list of devices. Follow any other instructions if they appear, then select Done.
If your pen isn’t appearing in the list of devices, you can use the LED to help identify the issue. Press and hold the top button of your pen for 5-7 seconds and observe the LED light. Then, compare your observation to the table below.
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When you press and hold the top button |
What does it mean? |
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The LED light blinks continuously. |
Your pen is receiving power and trying to pair with a device. Restart your Surface and try pairing it again. |
|
The LED light blinks for 2-3 seconds. |
Your pen is currently paired with another nearby Surface device. To resolve this, find the other Surface and remove the pen from its Bluetooth devices list. Go to the Bluetooth devices list, select the pen and remove it.
Once removed, try pairing the pen with the device you want to use. |
|
Red or Amber LED light |
This indicates low power. Depending on your pen model, you may need to replace the batteries or charge the pen. |
|
There is no LED light (does not turn on). |
If the light on your pen isn’t turning on even after changing the batteries or charging, it may be time to replace your pen. To learn how to request a replacement, please refer to the Request a replacement pen section. |
Note: Microsoft Classroom Pen 1 and Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 don't support Bluetooth or pen cap functionality.
Other issues
Here are some other issues you may be having with your Surface Pen. Select any header, and it'll open to display more information:
If your pen still doesn't ink after trying the steps in the previous section, there are some things you can try. For more info, see What to try if your Surface Pen doesn't ink.
Note: Our premium Surface Slim Pen 2 is equipped with an easily removable pen tip. Removal is intended only for pen tip replacement. Excessive (500 or more) removal+ reinsertion cycles of the pen tip can damage the internal parts of the pen and lead to inking failures. Pen failure due to excessive removal and reinsertion cycles isn't covered under the product warranty.
Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on and your pen is connected to your Surface. For more information, refer to My pen won't pair with my Surface
You can customize your pen shortcuts to assign specific functions to the buttons.
Open pen settings
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Go to Pen & Windows Ink in your settings.
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Under Choose what your shortcut button does, you can assign an action to happen for Single-click, Double-click or Press and hold (where available), including opening the program or app of your choice.
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Try writing in another app to see if the issue persists or not. If the problem does not persist, then the issue may be with the app.
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Try removing and re-inserting the pen tip or replacing the pen tip. For more information, please see Replace Surface Pen tips.
For more info, see Replace Surface Pen tips.
Request a replacement pen
If these steps didn't resolve the problem, you can request a replacement Surface Pen. Go to Device service and repair, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select a Surface or register a new device.
After you select a registered device, you'll see replacement offers based on your warranty status and eligibility for exchange. To learn more about the Surface Warranty, you can visit Surface warranty: FAQ.
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