Here are things to try if your Surface Pen won’t write, open apps, or connect to Bluetooth.
Pen will not ink; Try these steps:
Test the LED functionality. If the LED doesn’t come on, this is a power issue.
Run Windows Updates or the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit.
Restart your Surface device, even if it restarted during Windows Updates.
Replace the battery.
If these steps do not work, you will need to replace your Surface Pen.
The light on my pen is blinking red or doesn’t turn on
That means the AAAA battery is low and needs to be replaced. Here’s how to change it.
Newest Surface Pen with no clip
Pull the top end straight out from the bottom. Replace the battery, and push the two parts of the pen back together.
Surface Pen with a single long button
Turn the cap, or eraser end, counter-clockwise to the body a short ways until it clicks. Gently pull the cap straight out from the body. Replace the AAAA battery with the negative (-) end of the battery pointing toward the writing tip.
To replace the cap, line up the metal guide bump on the cap with the half-circle cutaway on the body, and slide the cap back into place. Turn the cap a little bit to align the flat edges.
Surface Pen with two buttons on the side
Unscrew the top of the pen from the bottom. Replace the AAAA battery with the positive (+) end of the battery pointing toward the writing tip. Screw the top back on.
My pen isn't connected with my Surface
On Surface Pen, press and hold the top button until the LED light blinks to make it discoverable.
On your PC, select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
Make sure Bluetooth is on, then select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth. Choose Surface Pen in the list of devices. Follow any other instructions if they appear, then select Done.
My pen won't pair with my Surface or open apps
Press and hold the top button for 5-7 seconds, then let the button go.
If the LED light blinks continuously:
That means the pen is receiving power and is trying to pair with a device. Follow the steps to pair Surface Pen with your Surface. If that doesn't work, restart your Surface and try pairing again.
If the LED light blinks for 2-3 seconds:
That means your pen is already paired to another nearby Surface.
To fix this, find the Surface and remove the pen. For info about how to remove it, see Remove a Bluetooth device. You’ll need to look for Surface Pen in the list of Bluetooth devices.
After you remove the pairing, go back to the Surface you want to use Surface Pen with and pair it again.