My Microsoft pen isn't Writing or erasing

Question

My Microsoft pen isn't Writing or erasing

Trang van 0

So my Microsoft pen doesn't write or erase however The Top button does work. I have replaced the pen nib and it is still not working. I have also Repaired the pen multiple times and reset my computer multiple times. What do I do now?

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Answer 1

Vikki-T 8,045 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Trang van,

I understand how frustrating this must be, especially after you have already replaced the pen tip, re-paired the pen and restarted your computer several times.

To help narrow this down, could you please let us know:

Which Surface model and Surface Pen model are you using?
Did the pen previously write normally on this device?
Does the touchscreen respond normally to your finger?
Have you tested the pen in other apps such as OneNote, Paint, or Sticky Notes?

In the meantime, please try the following:

Open the Surface app, expand Help & support and install any available Windows, driver or firmware updates.
Check the pen’s battery level in the Surface app. If you are using a Surface Slim Pen, make sure it is fully charged. If your pen uses a replaceable battery, try a fresh battery.
Confirm that your specific Surface and pen models are compatible.
Test the pen in several different apps. If it does not write in any app, the issue may be related to the pen, touchscreen or Surface drivers.
If possible, test this pen on another compatible Surface or test another compatible pen on your device.

You can also follow Microsoft’s official Surface Pen troubleshooting guide. If the pen still cannot write or erase after these checks, it may need to be inspected or replaced. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Trang van 0 Reputation points

2026-07-31T14:36:34.3666667+00:00

I am using a surface book 2 and a surface pen without a clip. I am assuming it previously wrote on the device, but am unsure. The touchscreen does respond to my finger. I have tested the pen in all possible apps. The surface pen is fully charged as well.
Vikki-T 8,045 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-01T12:58:38.6033333+00:00
Hi Trang van,

Thank you for confirming those details. Since finger touch works normally but the pen cannot write or erase in any app, the next step is to check whether the Surface Book 2 is detecting the pen tip itself.

One important detail is that the Surface Pen without a clip is not rechargeable. It uses a replaceable AAAA battery. When you mentioned that the pen was fully charged, could you please confirm whether you have already replaced the AAAA battery with a fresh one?

Microsoft’s instructions for this pen model are available here: Change Surface Pen batteries

After replacing the battery, please also check the following:

Move the pen tip close to the screen without touching it. Do you see a small cursor or dot appear?

Open the Surface app, expand Help & support, and install any available updates.

Download and install the latest Surface Book 2 drivers and firmware through Microsoft’s official guidance: Manually update Surface drivers and firmware

The top button can still work through Bluetooth even when the screen is not detecting input from the pen tip, so the working button does not necessarily mean that the inking portion of the pen is functioning correctly.

If there is still no cursor and the pen cannot write after installing a fresh AAAA battery and updating the drivers and firmware, the most useful next test would be to try this pen on another compatible Surface or try another compatible pen on your Surface Book 2.

Please let me know whether a cursor appears when the pen is held close to the screen. That detail will help me narrow this down further.
Trang van 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T19:10:22.2+00:00

The battery is new. And there is no cursor or dot when I hold the pen close to the screen. I don’t have another surface device to test the pen out on.
Vikki-T 8,045 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T10:59:11.3866667+00:00

Hi Trang van,

Thank you for checking that. Since you have already installed a new AAAA battery and no cursor or dot appears when the pen is held close to the screen, the Surface Book 2 does not seem to be detecting input from the pen tip.

If you have already installed all available Windows, Surface driver and firmware updates, the next best step would be to contact Microsoft Surface Support. They can help determine whether the issue is with the pen itself or the pen input hardware on the Surface Book 2 and advise you about any available service or replacement options.

You can contact Surface Support here: Contact Microsoft Surface Support

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum, so moderators and contributors cannot remotely inspect the device or arrange a repair or replacement directly.

I understand that not having another compatible pen or Surface available makes it difficult to isolate the cause at home. I know this is not the outcome you were hoping for, but contacting Surface Support would be the most appropriate next step in this situation.
Bharat Rajan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T03:07:47.0266667+00:00

The pen automatically get stopped for self charging and become completely dead. The keyboard is working perfectly fine..
Vikki-T 8,045 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T07:59:10.95+00:00
Hi Bharat Rajan,

I understand how inconvenient it is when the pen suddenly stops charging and becomes completely unresponsive, especially while the keyboard continues to work normally.

Could you please confirm your exact Surface model and whether you are using a Surface Slim Pen or Surface Slim Pen 2?

If it is a Surface Slim Pen, please try the following:

Connect the Surface to its power adapter and make sure it is turned on.

Remove and reattach the keyboard, then place the pen securely back into the charging tray.

Check whether any LED appears on the pen.

Open the Surface app, expand Help & support, and install any available Windows, driver, or firmware updates.

You can also follow Microsoft’s official guidance here: Fix problems with charging Surface Slim Pen.

If there is still no LED or charging response, even though the keyboard works, the pen or its charging connection may need to be inspected by Surface Support.
Bharat Rajan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T10:58:54.6533333+00:00

Thanks for the information. I have Surface Pro 9 with Surface Slim Pen 2. The similar case happened with couple of my colleagues too. I think it is something to do with update/bug.
Vikki-T 8,045 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-07T14:56:16.99+00:00

Hi Bharat Rajan,

Thank you for the additional information. Since several Surface Slim Pen 2 devices used by your colleagues have reportedly stopped working in the same way, I understand why you are concerned that this may not be an isolated case.

As the keyboard still works but the pen has no charging response and remains completely unresponsive, please contact https://support.microsoft.com/contactus. They can review the device details securely, check the available service options, and record the similar cases you mentioned.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum, so I cannot remotely inspect the accessory or arrange a repair or replacement here. Please avoid posting serial numbers or other personal information publicly.