battery charging light not on while charging

If the battery is charging but the charging light is off, first check which charging method and indicator the device uses:

1. Check the battery icon in Windows.
   • On the taskbar, look at or hover over the Battery icon.
   • Windows shows charging status there, including whether the device is plugged in and charging.
2. If charging through Surface Connect:
   • The LED on the connector tip should be lit when the device is getting power.
   • If the LED is not lit, there may be a problem with the power supply.
   • Unplug the charger, then reconnect it securely.
   • Try a different wall outlet.
   • Remove the connector, flip it over, and plug it back in.
   • If the connector pins look dirty, clean them with a pencil eraser, then use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, let the pins dry fully, and reconnect.
3. If charging through USB-C:
   • Some devices do not use a connector LED the same way as Surface Connect.
   • Confirm charging from the Windows battery icon instead.
4. Make sure the correct power supply is being used.
   • Use the power supply designed for the device.
   • If attached accessories use a lot of power, disconnect them and check charging again.
5. If the battery icon shows the device is not plugged in even though the charger is connected:
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Expand Batteries.
   • Uninstall Microsoft Surface ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery or Surface Battery.
   • In Action, select Scan for hardware changes.
   • Do not do this on Surface Pro X; on that device, uninstalling drivers may require a full reset to restore them.

If the charging port, connector, or cable is damaged, service is recommended.

References:

• Surface battery won’t charge or Surface won’t run on battery | Microsoft Support
• How to charge Surface | Microsoft Support
• Battery and power subsystem hardware design