Problem:

I’m facing a frequent Wi-Fi connectivity issue with one of our Surface Laptop 7th Edition devices that uses a Qualcomm processor and Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Wi-Fi adapter. The connection keeps dropping, and in Device Manager it shows Error Code 10: “Status_Device_Power_Failure.”

I’ve already installed the Surface utility, completed all available updates, and also manually downloaded and installed the latest drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog. However, the issue still occurs regularly.

The Realtek USB LAN controller works perfectly fine, so the problem seems specific to the built-in Wi-Fi adapter.’

Resolution:

If you’ve already tried all the usual fixes—updating drivers, installing the latest Surface updates, and even reinstalling everything—but the problem still keeps coming back, it’s time to look at the error more closely.

The system is showing Code 10: “Status_Device_Power_Failure.” This isn’t your typical software issue or a simple driver problem. It usually indicates something deeper, like a hardware or firmware fault, especially related to how the Wi-Fi adapter is getting power.

Also, since your external USB LAN adapter is working perfectly, we can safely rule out general network or Windows issues. That points directly to a problem with the built-in Wi-Fi hardware itself.

When you put all this together, it strongly suggests that the internal Wi-Fi module is faulty. In situations like this, software fixes won’t really solve the problem permanently.

What should you do?
The most practical solution is to go for a replacement—especially if the device is still under warranty.

I am unable to uninstall/reinstall Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64) and (x86). Consequently I get the following error when trying to run many programs:

Resolution:

Download Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter:

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

Choose uninstalling Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x64) as well as for x86 version.

Download ONLY from Microsoft:

VC++ 2015–2022 (x64)

https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe

VC++ 2015–2022 (x86)

Right-click → Run as Administrator

Install both.

Restart again.

Follow these simple steps to get your battery percentage back where it belongs!

• Right-click anywhere on your taskbar, go into Taskbar settings, scroll down to System tray icons and see if the battery toggle got turned off. If it did, just flip it back on and you should see it reappear straight away.
• If it’s already turned on but the icon still isn’t showing, don’t panic just yet. Look for a small upward arrow on the right side of your taskbar near the clock. Click that and see if your battery icon has just been hiding in there. If it has, you can drag it back out onto the main taskbar where it belongs.
• If that’s not it either, a quick restart of Windows Explorer often does the trick. Right-click your Start button, open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it and hit Restart.
• If required, open Command Prompt as Administrator and copy-paste the following command followed by pressing the Enter key:

 powercfg /batteryreport

When you send your Surface in for a damaged screen, don’t expect to get your own device back with a shiny new screen fitted. What Microsoft actually does is take your device, assess it, and then send you back a refurbished unit instead. That’s just how they handle repairs — it’s their standard process across the board.

Now, what happens next really depends on how the damage occurred in the first place.

If you dropped it or cracked it by accident, unfortunately the standard one-year warranty won’t help you here. Accidental damage isn’t covered, so you’ll be looking at paying an out-of-warranty service fee, which can get pretty pricey depending on which Surface model you have.

If you paid for Microsoft Complete when you bought your device, you’re in a better spot. That’s Microsoft’s optional protection plan that actually does cover accidental damage. You’d still pay a deductible, but it’s a lot more manageable than the full out-of-warranty cost, and you’d still get a refurbished replacement in return.

If the screen cracked on its own without any drops or impacts, it’s worth contacting Microsoft and pushing back. The Surface Laptop 3 is a good example — Microsoft admitted there was a manufacturing defect causing screens to crack spontaneously and offered free repairs for it. So if something similar is happening to your device, it’s worth making some noise about it.

And if you’re technically inclined, self-repair is also on the table. Microsoft does sell replacement parts for some Surface models, but just know it’s not a simple job — it takes patience, the right tools, and a steady hand.

The big takeaway here is — back up everything before you send your device in. Microsoft will not recover your data for you, and since you’re getting a different unit back, whatever was on your original device is gone.

The Surface Laptop 3 situation was unique because Microsoft actually acknowledged it as a manufacturing defect. 

So basically, the Surface Laptop 3 had a known issue where the screen would just crack on its own — no drops, no impacts, nothing. Microsoft looked into it and admitted that a tiny hard particle could get trapped and cause a hairline fracture in the glass that seemed to appear out of nowhere. That’s what made this situation different from a typical “I dropped my laptop” scenario.

Because Microsoft officially acknowledged it as their fault, they stepped up and offered free repairs for both the 13.5-inch and 15-inch versions of the Laptop 3. They even went a step further — if you had already paid out of your own pocket to fix it before the program was announced, you could reach out to Microsoft Support and potentially get reimbursed. That was a pretty rare move from them.

One thing worth noting is that the cracking seemed to mostly affect the aluminum models. The versions with the Alcantara fabric covering didn’t really show the same problem.

Now here’s where it gets frustrating — other Surface owners dealing with similar spontaneous cracking on models like the Laptop 4, Laptop 5, or Surface Go haven’t been so lucky. Microsoft hasn’t come out and acknowledged a defect on those devices, so those owners are essentially stuck paying expensive out-of-warranty fees even if the crack appeared completely on its own. A lot of people feel that the underlying design issue didn’t just magically stop with the Laptop 3, but Microsoft has only ever officially owned the problem for that one model.

Microsoft Reference Article:

Get service for your out of warranty or damaged Surface

Warranty and Protection Plan Terms & Conditions

The Surface Pro Keyboard is not working.

Resolution:

Open Device Manager:

• Press Windows + X
• Open Device Manager
• Expand:

Keyboards

Human Interface Devices

• If you see:

Yellow warning sign → Right click → Uninstall → Restart

Disabled device → Right click → Enable

• If required:

Right-click every keyboard device → Uninstall device

• Then restart.
• Windows will reinstall automatically.

===

• Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard
• Make sure these are OFF:

Filter Keys

Sticky Keys

Toggle Keys

• Restart after changing.

• Shut down completely
• Hold Power button for 20 seconds
• Release
• Wait 10 seconds
• Turn back on
• Shut down
• Hold Power + Volume Up for 15 seconds
• Release
• Wait 10 seconds

====

• Boot normally
• Shut down
• Hold Volume Up
• Press Power
• Keep holding Volume Up until UEFI screen appears
• Try typing there.
• If keyboard works in UEFI:

 Windows driver issue

• If keyboard does NOT work in UEFI:

           Hardware / Type Cover failure

• You may also test the same with an external keyboard.

Resolution:

• Firstly, run Surface Diagnostic Tool Kit
• Open Device Manager. In Start Search type Device Manager and hit the Enter key to open.

          Expand Batteries

          You should see:

1. Microsoft AC Adapter
2. Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery

1.        If Batteries section is missing → driver corruption
2.        If Surface Battery is missing → embedded controller issue

If both are present → icon service problem

Right-click Microsoft AC Adapter → Uninstall device

Right-click Microsoft Surface Battery → Uninstall device

Restart the Surface

=====

• Shut down completely
•  Hold Power button for 20 seconds
• Release
• Wait 10 seconds
• Turn it back on

If that doesn’t work:

• Shut down
• Hold Power + Volume Up together for 15 seconds
• Release
• Wait 10 seconds
• Start normally
• Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar
• Click Other system tray icons
• Make sure Power is ON

=====

• Open Command Prompt as Admin and copy-paste:

                 powercfg /restoredefaultschemes

• In Start Search type Gpedit.msc and hit the Enter key to open Group Policy Editor.
• Under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Scroll down to Remove the battery meter > Double click on it > Set the policy to either Not configured or, Disabled. Click Apply/OK. Reboot.

Resolution:

Check there is proper power supply and the power connector is firmly attached.

Check Charger:

Check the LED light is On. If off  then there is a charger or charging circuit issue.

If no LED with known good charger → possible motherboard issue.

Power Reset:

• Hold Power button for 30 full seconds

• Release → Wait 10 seconds → Press Power again/

Two-Button Reset:

• Hold Power + Volume Up
  
• Keep holding for 15 seconds
  
• Release → Wait 10 seconds
  
• Press Power.

UEFI Boot Test:

• Hold Volume Up
• Press Power
• Keep holding Volume Up

• If UEFI screen appears:

           Hardware OK

           Windows corrupted

• If nothing appears:

            Likely hardware failure.

Basic Troubleshooting:

Microsoft Reference Article:

Surface won’t turn on or start

Problem:

Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter stopped working on my devices

• Surface Pro 8 and Samsung Book 12 both previously connected to my Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter via Miracast
• Both stopped working in early 2023 (error: “couldn’t connect”)
• Surface Pro 8 now shows as not Miracast-compatible
• Windows Update is current; Display adapter driver version 32.0.101.6737
• Surface Pro 8 runs Win11, Samsung Book 12 runs Win10
• The same adapter still works with another desktop PC on my home TV
• Suspect Windows updates removed or broke Miracast support

Question: Why did it stop working if it worked before, and how can I restore Miracast functionality on these devices?

Resolution:

Your devices haven’t lost hardware capability — Windows updates changed the software stack.

Miracast came pre-installed in Windows 10 and early Windows 11 versions, which is why it worked seamlessly on both your Surface Pro 8 and SamsungBook12 initially.

However, Microsoft changed this approach in 2023. In newer Windows 11 builds, Miracast was removed from the default installation and converted into an optional feature called “Wireless Display.” If this feature isn’t installed on your system, Windows won’t show Miracast as available, even if your hardware supports it.

Additionally, some manufacturers have quietly removed Miracast support through driver updates or firmware changes. This affects devices like the SamsungBook12 and certain Surface models after firmware updates. The result is that Windows reports these devices as “not compatible” with Miracast, despite the underlying hardware technically having the capability.

• Open Settings and navigate to Apps > Optional features > Add a feature. Search for “Wireless Display” and install it if it’s missing. After installation, restart both your Surface Pro 8 and SamsungBook12 before attempting to reconnect.
• Visit Intel’s support site to download the latest Wi-Fi and GPU drivers for your device. Windows Update sometimes provides outdated versions that may not fully support Miracast functionality.
• Download the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app from the Microsoft Store. Launch it to check whether firmware updates are available for your adapter.
• Disconnect both the HDMI and USB cables from your adapter, wait 10-15 seconds, then reconnect them. If possible, test the adapter with a different display to determine whether the issue is with your HDMI port.
• Check Network settings: Try connecting from home.
• You may consider Airtame.

Problem:

I am experiencing difficulty accessing an older Surface Pro device that has been unused for an extended period. Authentication attempts have been unsuccessful, and subsequent password recovery through Microsoft’s services has also failed. Additionally, standard recovery procedures using Shift+Restart are not functioning as expected – the system simply restarts without displaying the recovery options screen.

Resolution:

Interrupt the boot process

• Turn off the Surface completely
• Turn it on, and as soon as you see the Surface logo, hold the power button for about 10 seconds to force shutdown
• Repeat this process 2-3 times
• On the third attempt, Windows should automatically boot into the recovery environment

USB recovery drive:

 If that doesn’t work, you’ll likely need to create a bootable USB recovery drive on another computer:

• On another PC, download the Surface Recovery Image from Microsoft’s website (search “Surface recovery image download”)
• You’ll need a USB drive with at least 16GB
• Follow Microsoft’s instructions to create the recovery drive
• Boot your Surface from this USB (hold Volume Down + press Power, release power but keep holding Volume Down until you see the Surface logo).

 Force UEFI/BIOS:

Shut down completely

• Hold Volume Up + press and release Power button
• Keep holding Volume Up until you see the UEFI screen
• From there you might be able to configure boot options or access recovery tools

There are two tools available which do this. Let’s discuss one by one.

Remove Windows AI:

A developer known as “zoicware” has built a PowerShell script called “Remove Windows AI” and made it available on GitHub. This third-party tool aims to eliminate AI features that Microsoft has integrated into Windows 11, such as Copilot, Recall, and AI Actions. The script works by modifying registry settings, uninstalling Appx packages, and deleting related files to disable and remove these AI components from the operating system.

Key Features:

• Disables AI registry keys
  
• Prevents reinstallation of AI packages
  
• Removes Copilot and other AI components
  
• Disables features like Recall and AI Actions 

Download:

RemoveWindowsAI

WinSol: Windows 11 includes Copilot and other AI integrations, and this tool gives you more control over system settings and default behavior.This is a native application with a graphical user interface and configuration options—not just a PowerShell script like “RemoveWindowsAI.”

Key Features:

• removes slop
• reduces slop
• makes slop visible
• gives control back to the user

Download