iFixit - Answers With Device "Microsoft Surface"

Microsoft Surface: charger light flashes and surface wont charge

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:54:22 -0700

I was using my surface and it got the low battery notification so I went to get a charger and when I plugged it in the light on the charger flickered and surface didn't charge. The problem isn't the charger (I tested it at Microsoft store). I then ordered a new power plug and opened surface and installed the new one. When I tested it again, it still didn't work. I have tried disconnecting the battery, still nothing. If anyone has any idea what the problem could be, help would be very much appreciated.

⟐ Commented February 01, 2026 at 5:54 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: Where can buy and how do I replace FPC LCD connector

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:59:29 -0700

When I released the FPC connector it broke. Where can I find the part and how do I repair it?

Thank you!

Microsoft Surface: How to remove wifi antennas?

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 04:19:43 -0700

I want to buy a new tablet where a technician can remove WiFi antenna. I am looking at:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Microsoft Surface Go ...
any other tablet that's good for annotations/diagramming

Why? I got into medical school after lots of effort and a 1-year gap; now, my bad habits are catching up and I need to strike a balance - like my life depends on it.

My !!%@ addiction is under control, thanks to on-campus counseling, but I want to remove triggers and associate tablet to studying only.
In other words: make sure tablet can only be used for note-taking and reading (it is okay to use my desktop in my private room to do other stuff).

Also, once-a-week I'd like to sync notes and PDFs to my desktop and to cloud. I hope that's possible via USB cables.

Please advise whether, and which model, removal of WiFi antenna is possible.

______________

original question: Is is advisable to remove wifi antennas?

⟐ Answered October 03, 2024 at 4:19 MST

Microsoft Surface: ZIF connector is broken, is there a way to replace it?

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:13:20 -0700

When I was taking the back cover of the tablet off, the ZIF connector was broken and that might have been part of the reason as to why my tablet screen wasn't turning on properly, is it possible to replace that part, if so, where would I be able to find a replacement?

⟐ Answered September 05, 2024 at 14:13 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: Surface pro screen flicker

Thu, 09 May 2024 01:10:17 -0700

Hi,my surface pro screen is flickering and goes blurry after about 10 minutes,it’s all updated and also done a fresh installation of windows 10 but still the same, can you please help

⟐ Answered May 09, 2024 at 1:10 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: How do I upgrade my ram?

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:24:24 -0700

I have the surface 3 64gb version and was wondering if I would be able to upgrade the ram on it.

⟐ Commented January 25, 2024 at 13:24 MST

Microsoft Surface 2: (Plugged in, Not Charging) Error. Help?

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:24:39 -0700

I just bought a surface 2 last night and there is an issue, I plug in the power cable, but when I see the battery indicator, it shows "plugged in, not charging". The tablet turns off if I unplug the power cable..

I've tried the following workarounds that I found online:

1) shut down the tablet, unplug the power cable and leave it for few minutes, plug in back the power cable and let it charge for few minutes, turn it on.

2) shut down the tablet, press volume up + power button for 10 seconds, leave it charging for few minutes, turn it on.

3) Performed a full system recovery.

But sadly these didn't help. I would like to ask is there any other workaround I can try?

I have tried multiple outlets as well as multiple chargers.

Thank you.

⟐ Commented November 28, 2023 at 6:24 MST

Microsoft Surface 2: My surface 2 has a boot loop

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 05:35:41 -0700

Surface 2 has a boot loop boring from recovery drive doesn’t work

Microsoft Surface 3: Microsoft Surface 3 ROW Charging Issue

Wed, 17 May 2023 01:55:13 -0700

Hi,

I have a brand new. yet ancient Microsoft Surface 3 ROW which I have been using for college for some time with no problems until I installed Windows 10 Professional and noticed that whenever I plug in the device and have it switched on, it will say battery% (plugged in) yet not charging... I have noticed it will charge if the device is switched off and left over night and will be about 90-100% by the morning. I take it to college and use it plugged in and noticed that the battery discharges even though connected to the mains...

I have tried a hard reset and some other tricks such as plugging the USB in first and then connecting the plug to the wall but none of these have worked.

Microsoft Surface 3: Need a replacement sim card holder tray

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:40:41 -0700

I need a replacement sim card holder tray for Microsoft Surface 3 1657...where can I get it? What other sim card trays are compatible?

Microsoft Surface: Can I upgrade RAM?

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 20:09:49 -0700

just it, im wondering if ram memory can be upgraded...cause today 4gb may be enough...but i cant say that next year it will.

⟐ Answered February 02, 2023 at 20:09 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: Bubble Ghost on the screen

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:06:03 -0700

I have this little bubble ghost or something like that on my screen, i can't use the touch because it is like pushing or something

Microsoft Surface 3: Change / repair charging port from Mini USB to USB-C

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 20:43:52 -0700

I would like to know if this is possible to change to a USB -C charging port.

⟐ Commented October 23, 2022 at 20:43 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: Battery Replacement - How to slide out battery power and data cable

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 20:47:40 -0700

I'm at step 7 in the IFIXIT MS Surface 3 Battery Replacement Guide. It says to carefully slide out the battery power and data cable but mine seems to be retained by a plastic pin sticking up from the case bottom. The replacement battery ribbon cable also has a hole in it (some battery pictures have an open slot instead) so I assume the existing flat battery cable also has a hole for the pin I see to stick through. Is there a trick to slip the cable over the pin without undoing main board screws?

Microsoft Surface: Fixing Phantom Touch Issue?

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:46:37 -0700

My problem:

2-3 stripes of the screen do not pick up touch input. Not only that, but they also freak out and receive phantom inputs, making it impossible to work with the thing without disabling the touchscreen.

Apparently, some part associated with the touch input is broken. But which one is it?

I could either replace the screen, together with the digitizer (Microsoft Surface RT (1st Gen) Screen), or I could replace what is called the Digitizer Board.([linked product missing or disabled: IF263-003])

Do you guys have any experience with this? Which part causes the trouble? I have yet to find the answer on the Internet. I see people with the same issue though.

⟐ Commented August 30, 2022 at 13:46 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: which adhesive tape do I use for microsoft surface 3 screen

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:22:16 -0700

I’m replacing the battery on my surface 3 4g lte (1657).
When I’m done I’ll need to stick the screen back on.
Which adhesive tape do I use or is there a tape kit like there is for the surface pro 3?
Will the surface pro 3 kit work on the surface 3 4g lte?

⟐ Answered February 08, 2022 at 16:22 MST

Microsoft Surface: My screen isn't broke but the inside looks cracked.

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 15:06:12 -0700

Screen display is distorted but has cracked image near the magnetic plug site inside the screen.

⟐ Answered December 29, 2021 at 15:06 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: Could I get someone to upgrade the ram on my surface 3 to 8gb or more?

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 06:27:59 -0700

I just want to know if their are people that can service Surface “Tablets” and upgrade the ram.

⟐ Edited by author July 27, 2021 at 6:27 MST

Microsoft Surface: Is it possible to upgrade the surface processor?

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:16:15 -0700

Hi I was looking at the specs of the Microsoft surface rt and the surface pro and the only really noticeable differences are the Operating System (8.1 rt vs 8.1 pro) and the processor (Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core vs intel i5 dual core). Is it possible to put a intel i5 processor into the surface rt allowing it to then download applications off the internet?

Thanks

⟐ Commented July 13, 2021 at 16:16 MST

Microsoft Surface 3: How do I replace my hard drive

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:20:35 -0700

i am unable to locate the ssd in the surface 3 tablet

⟐ Answered June 16, 2021 at 12:20 MST