Surface Go 3 charging issues? Try these proven fixes fast!

Having trouble charging your Surface Go 3? Don’t worry, it’s a common hiccup that many users experience. This guide will walk you through simple, effective solutions to get your Surface charging again. We’ll cover everything from checking your charger to deeper troubleshooting steps. Let’s get your Surface Go 3 powered up and ready to go!

Surface Go 3 Charging Issues: Proven Fixes

It’s frustrating when your trusty Surface Go 3 refuses to charge. You plug it in, expecting that little battery icon to fill up, but nothing happens. This can be incredibly disruptive, whether you’re a student rushing to finish an assignment, a professional trying to meet a deadline, or just someone who wants to relax with a movie. The good news is that most Surface Go 3 charging issues are not serious hardware failures and can often be resolved with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps right at home. As Walter Moore from Tabletzoo, I’m here to help you navigate these common problems with simple, jargon-free advice. We’ll work through a series of checks, starting with the most basic, to get your Surface Go 3 back to full power.

Why Might Your Surface Go 3 Not Be Charging?

Several factors can contribute to your Surface Go 3 not charging properly. Understanding these common culprits can help you pinpoint the problem more quickly. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a loose connection or a minor software glitch. Other times, the issue might lie with the power adapter itself, the charging port on your Surface, or even the power outlet you’re using. We’ll explore these possibilities and provide actionable solutions for each.

Here are some of the most frequent reasons for Surface Go 3 charging problems:

Power Supply Issues: The charger itself might be faulty, the cable could be damaged, or the power brick’s connection might be loose.
Charging Port Problems: Dust, debris, or physical damage to the Surface Go 3’s charging port can prevent a proper connection.
Battery Health: Over time, batteries degrade. While less common on newer devices, a worn-out battery can affect charging performance.
Software Glitches: Sometimes, a temporary software issue can interfere with the charging process.
Driver or Update Issues: Outdated or corrupted power management drivers can cause charging anomalies.
Incorrect Charger Usage: Using a charger that doesn’t meet the Surface Go 3’s power requirements can lead to slow charging or no charging at all.

Don’t let these potential issues overwhelm you. We’re going to break down each one and offer proven fixes that are easy to follow, even for beginners.

Step 1: The Basic Checks – Simple Fixes First!

Before diving into more complex solutions, let’s start with the easiest and most common fixes. Often, the problem is surprisingly simple and requires just a moment of attention.

Inspect Your Surface Go 3 Power Adapter and Cable

Your Surface Go 3 comes with a specific power adapter and cable designed to deliver the right amount of power. It’s crucial to ensure these are in good working order.

Check the Cable: Look for any cuts, kinks, fraying, or damage along the entire length of the charging cable. Pay close attention to the connectors at both ends.
Inspect the Power Brick: Examine the power brick (the larger rectangular part of the charger) for any signs of damage, overheating, or discoloration.
Secure Connections: Ensure the cable is firmly plugged into the power brick and that the brick is securely plugged into the wall outlet. Also, check the magnetic connector that attaches to the Surface Go 3 – make sure it’s clean and snaps on properly.

Test a Different Power Outlet

It might sound obvious, but the issue could be with your wall socket. Power outlets can sometimes malfunction.

Try plugging your Surface Go 3 charger into a different power outlet in your home or office.
If you’re using a power strip or surge protector, try plugging the charger directly into the wall outlet to rule out any issues with the strip.

Clean the Charging Port and Magnetic Connector

Dust, lint, and debris can accumulate in the charging port on your Surface Go 3 and on the magnetic connector of the charger, preventing a solid connection.

For the Surface Go 3 Port: Gently use a can of compressed air to blow out any visible debris. You can also use a clean, dry, non-metallic toothpick or a soft brush (like a clean toothbrush) to carefully dislodge any stubborn particles. Be very gentle to avoid damaging the port.
For the Charger Connector: Wipe the magnetic charging pins on the Surface Connect cable with a dry, lint-free cloth. Ensure they are clean and free of grime.

After cleaning, try plugging your Surface Go 3 back in to see if it begins charging.

Restart Your Surface Go 3

A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be preventing your Surface from charging correctly.

If your Surface Go 3 has enough charge, select the Start button > Power > Restart.
If your Surface is completely dead and won’t turn on, try a forced shutdown. Press and hold the power button for at least 15 seconds. Release the power button, then press and release the power button again to turn your Surface back on. (This is sometimes called a “hard reset” or “force shutdown” and doesn’t erase your data.)

Step 2: Checking the Charger and Battery Health

If the basic checks didn’t solve the problem, it’s time to investigate the charger and battery more closely.

Try a Different Compatible Charger

The surest way to rule out a faulty charger is to test your Surface Go 3 with a different one. If you have access to another Surface charger that is known to be working, use it.

It’s important to use a charger that is compatible with your Surface Go 3. The Surface Go 3 typically uses a 24W, 36W, or 44W power supply. Using a charger with insufficient wattage might result in slow charging or no charging at all. Ensure that the charger you are testing has the correct voltage and amperage. Microsoft provides extensive details on compatible chargers on their support website here.

If the Surface Go 3 charges with the different charger, you likely have a faulty adapter and will need to replace it.
If it still doesn’t charge, the issue is more likely with your Surface device itself.

Check Battery Temperature

Modern devices have built-in safeguards to prevent charging if the battery is too hot or too cold. This is to protect the battery’s lifespan.

If your Surface Go 3 feels very hot to the touch, unplug it and let it cool down for at least 30 minutes.
Similarly, if it’s been in a very cold environment, allow it to warm up to room temperature before attempting to charge it again.
Avoid charging your Surface Go 3 in direct sunlight or on surfaces that trap heat, like thick blankets.

Check Battery Status in Windows

Windows provides information about your battery’s health. While it might not give a direct “good” or “bad” status, it can sometimes reveal anomalies.

Plug in your Surface Go 3 (if it shows any sign of charging, even if slow).
Right-click the battery icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
Select Power Options.
Click Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Expand Battery, then expand Battery status. Check the settings here. (Note: For advanced battery reporting, you might need to generate a battery report.)

Generating a Battery Report (Advanced)

This report can provide detailed information about your battery usage and health.

Press the Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg /batteryreport
A file path will be displayed in the PowerShell window. Navigate to this location in File Explorer and open the battery-report.html file.
Inside the report, look for sections like “Installed batteries” and “Battery capacity history.” Compare the “Design Capacity” to the “Full Charge Capacity.” A significant difference might indicate battery wear.

Step 3: Software and Driver Solutions

Sometimes, software issues or outdated drivers can be the culprit behind charging problems.

Update Your Surface Drivers and Firmware

Microsoft regularly releases updates for Surface devices that can fix bugs, improve performance, and resolve hardware-related issues, including charging. It’s essential to keep your system up-to-date.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Install any available updates, especially those related to firmware or drivers. Your Surface might require a restart for these updates to take effect.

If Windows Update doesn’t find the latest drivers, you can also manually download them from the Microsoft Support website. Search for the Surface Go 3 drivers and firmware package for your specific Windows version.

Check and Reinstall Battery Drivers

Windows manages battery functions through specific drivers. If these drivers become corrupted, it can lead to charging issues.

Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Batteries category.
You should see at least two items listed: “Microsoft AC Adapter” and “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.”
Right-click on “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery” and select Uninstall device.
Crucially, do NOT check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device.”
Once uninstalled, click the Action menu at the top and select Scan for hardware changes.
Windows should automatically reinstall the battery driver.
Restart your Surface Go 3 and check if it charges correctly.
If the issue persists, repeat steps 3-5 but this time, after right-clicking, select Update driver and choose to search automatically.

Run the Power Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix common problems.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click on Additional troubleshooters (or Get up and running, depending on your Windows version).
Find and select Power.
Click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen instructions. The troubleshooter will scan for issues and attempt to fix them.

Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting

If none of the previous steps have worked, we can explore some more advanced solutions.

Perform a System Restore

If the charging issue started recently after installing new software or making system changes, a System Restore might help. This will revert your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting your personal files.

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and open it.
In the System Properties window, click the System Restore button.
Click Next.
Choose a restore point from before you started experiencing the charging issues. If you don’t see one, click “Show more restore points.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the restore. Your Surface will restart during this process.

Note: This will uninstall any recently installed applications, drivers, and updates made after the chosen restore point. Your personal documents, photos, and music will not be affected.

Check UEFI/BIOS Settings (If Applicable)

While less common on Surface devices compared to traditional PCs, issues can sometimes be related to UEFI firmware settings. However, accessing and modifying these settings can be complex and should only be done if you are comfortable doing so, or after consulting detailed guides. For most users, this step is usually unnecessary, and the focus should remain on software and simpler hardware checks.

To access UEFI on a Surface Go 3:

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
After your Surface restarts to the “Choose an option” screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart.

Once in the UEFI settings, you can look for any battery-related options. However, it’s generally recommended not to change settings here unless you know precisely what you’re doing, as incorrect changes could impact your device’s functionality. If you see an option to reset UEFI to default settings, that might be a safe way to correct any accidental misconfigurations.

Consider a Windows Reset or Clean Install

As a last resort for software-related issues, you can reset Windows. This reinstalls Windows while giving you the option to keep your personal files or remove everything.

Important: It is highly recommended to back up all your important data before proceeding with a reset or clean install.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
Choose whether to Keep my files or Remove everything.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

A clean install (using a USB drive) is even more thorough but requires more technical steps. You can find guidance on creating a USB recovery drive for Surface from Microsoft.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and your Surface Go 3 still isn’t charging, it’s highly likely there’s a hardware issue. This could be a problem with the internal charging circuitry, the battery itself, or the Surface Connect port.

In such cases, it’s best to contact Microsoft Support directly or visit an authorized service center. They have the tools and expertise to diagnose and repair hardware-related problems. You can check your warranty status and initiate a service request on the Microsoft Support website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is my Surface Go 3 charging so slowly?

Slow charging can be caused by using an underpowered charger, a damaged cable, or a software issue. Ensure you’re using the original Surface Go 3 charger or a compatible one with sufficient wattage (24W, 36W, or 44W). Also, try updating your Surface drivers and run the power troubleshooter.

Can I use my phone charger for my Surface Go 3?

Generally, no. Phone chargers typically have much lower wattage than required for a Surface device. While some USB-C chargers designed for laptops might work if your Surface Go 3 supports USB-C charging and the charger offers enough power, using the official Surface charger is always recommended to ensure proper charging speeds and

Walter Moore

Your tech guru in Sand City, CA, bringing you the latest insights and tips exclusively on mobile tablets. Dive into the world of sleek devices and stay ahead in the tablet game with my expert guidance. Your go-to source for all things tablet-related – let’s elevate your tech experience!