Press and hold the power button for a few seconds
The power button on a Surface tablet is located on the right edge of the device, near the top. Press and hold it for about three to five seconds until you see the Surface logo appear on the screen. You will feel a slight vibration when the device powers on.
If nothing happens after holding the button for five seconds, your battery may be completely drained. Plug the tablet into its charger using the USB-C cable (or the proprietary connector on older Surface models) and wait a few minutes before trying again. A completely dead battery can take several minutes to accumulate enough charge to power on.
Key Takeaways
- The power button is on the right edge near the top of the tablet and requires a three to five second press to turn on.
- You will see the Surface logo and feel a vibration when the device is powering on.
- If the tablet does not respond, plug it in and wait a few minutes for the battery to charge before trying again.
- The first startup after a factory reset or major update may take several minutes longer than usual.
- Once the lock screen appears, you can swipe up or press any key to reach the sign-in screen.
What happens after you press the power button
After you hold the power button, the Surface logo will appear in the center of the screen. This is normal and means the tablet is starting up. The screen may be black for a few seconds before the logo appears, especially if the device has been off for a while.
The startup process usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on whether Windows is loading for the first time or if the tablet is resuming from sleep. During this time, you may see a spinning circle or loading animation. Do not press the power button again or unplug the device during this process.
Getting to the sign-in screen
Once the startup animation finishes, you will see the lock screen with the date and time. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, press any key on the keyboard (if attached), or click the trackpad to move to the sign-in screen.
On the sign-in screen, you will see a username field and a password field. Enter your Microsoft account password or your local Windows password, depending on how your tablet is set up. If you do not remember your password, you can use a PIN or Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) if those are enabled on your device.
Troubleshooting if the tablet will not turn on
If you press the power button and nothing happens, the battery is likely empty. Plug the tablet into a power outlet using the correct charger and wait at least 15 to 20 minutes. Some Surface models show a small light on the charger or a battery indicator on the screen when charging begins.
If the device still does not respond after 20 minutes of charging, try a hard reset. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 seconds, then release both buttons. Wait a few seconds and press the power button alone. This forces the device to restart even if it appears frozen or unresponsive.
If the tablet still will not turn on after a hard reset and 30 minutes of charging, the battery or power system may need professional service. Contact Microsoft Support or visit an authorized service center with your device and proof of purchase.
Waking the tablet from sleep mode
If your Surface tablet is in sleep mode rather than completely off, you do not need to hold the power button for several seconds. A quick press of the power button, a tap on the screen, or pressing a key on the keyboard will wake it up when ready. The screen will light up and show the lock screen within one or two seconds.
Sleep mode uses very little battery power and is the normal state when you close the keyboard cover or do not use the tablet for a few minutes. You can tell the difference between sleep mode and a powered-off tablet by trying a quick button press first—if the screen lights up right away, it was in sleep mode.
Restarting your tablet after it is on
If you need to restart your Surface tablet after it is already powered on, press the power button once. A menu will appear with options to Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart. Tap or click Restart to reboot the device. This usually takes one to two minutes.
A restart is useful if the tablet is running slowly, an app is frozen, or Windows needs to install updates. You do not need to hold the power button to restart—a single press brings up the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a Surface tablet to turn on?
A normal startup takes 30 seconds to two minutes. The first time you turn on a new tablet or after a major Windows update, it may take five to ten minutes. If startup takes longer than 15 minutes, try a hard reset by holding the power and volume down buttons together for 10 seconds.
What if the power button is stuck or not responding?
Try pressing it firmly but gently several times. If it feels stuck, do not force it. If the button remains unresponsive after a few attempts, the power button may be damaged and the device will need professional repair. Contact Microsoft Support with your device and proof of purchase.
Can I turn on my Surface tablet with the keyboard?
No, you must use the physical power button on the tablet itself. The keyboard cannot power on the device, but once it is on, you can use the keyboard to sign in and navigate Windows.
Is it normal for the screen to stay black for a few seconds after pressing the power button?
Yes, a brief black screen before the Surface logo appears is normal. If the screen remains black for more than 30 seconds, try a hard reset by holding the power and volume down buttons together for 10 seconds, then release and press the power button alone.
Should I charge my Surface tablet before turning it on for the first time?
It is not required, but charging for 15 to 30 minutes before the first startup can help may support the battery has enough power to complete the initial setup process. New tablets ship with some charge, but a partial charge is safer for a long first startup.