After trying to install Windows 8.1 from MAPS directly on the Surface Pro, I had a big scare with the battery warning. After one of the many reboots, I suddenly started receiving a black screen with a white icon indicating that the battery was critically low.
I left it plugged in overnight and tried again in the morning and still had the same indicator. I then decided to completely drain whatever was left in the battery so I left it unplugged and headed out for the day.
When I got home, hit the power button firmly prepared to see the same warning or to have the battery be completely dead. To my surprise, it came back to life completely and booted Windows as if nothing had happened. Windows was even reporting that the battery was full.
I’m not sure why I got the “battery critical low” warning or why it suddenly started working again, but letting the Surface sit for a while did the trick and brought it back to life.
See Surface RT and Surface 2: Windows won’t start or stops responding for more troubleshooting help. This article specifically references the Surface 2, but much of it applies to the Surface [1].
If you hold both the up volume button and the power button for 15 seconds it will completely shut off the surface pro (only pro models). Then turn it on again after 10 seconds and it should come back to life.
What a fantastic tip! Works exactly as stated.
Thanks!
You are the man. Thank you so much. Made my day
Thank you very much!
Thanks so much! Had the same problem and it turned back on after letting it sit just as you said!
Bless you! You’ve surely guaranteed your place in Heaven
Thank you!
God Bless you!
Thank you!
Thanks. It worked for me just now. 😊
I’m having the same problem but when I push the power and volume up for 15 seconds it flashes surface and that same low battery sign :(((
we’re having that problem too. did you ever get it fixed?
Had the same low battery icon. Wouldn’t even power off! Read your post. Pressed the power and volume up buttons. Turned off immediately. Waited 10-seconds. Pressed the power button. Nothing. Battery wasn’t low to begin with but plugged the power cord in and pressed the power button again. Nothing. Now, it won’t even turn on! Any suggestions?
I’d do what you already did (charge it up and try to turn it on while on AC power), but try holding down the power button for a few seconds when turning it back on. Sometimes it needs that to start booting.