Surface Pro stuck on the Windows logo? Here's how to fix it

You press the power button on your Surface Pro®, expecting it to boot right up—but instead, it just sits there on the Windows™ logo. No spinning circle, no progress bar, just stuck. Whether you’re trying to make a meeting or finish something important, it’s the last thing you want to deal with. The good news? There are a few simple steps to get your Surface Pro working again.

1. Force a shutdown

If your Surface Pro is stuck on the Windows logo and won’t respond, try a force shutdown.

1. Press and hold the Power button for about 20 seconds.
2. Wait a few seconds, then press the Power button again to restart.

This often clears up minor glitches and gets your device moving again.

2. Try a two-button restart (Surface Pro models with Intel processors)

If a simple force shutdown doesn’t work, try this method:

1. Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button at the same time.
2. Keep holding both for about 15 seconds, even if the screen changes.
3. Release both buttons and wait 10 seconds.
4. Press the Power button again to turn your Surface Pro back on.

This can help reset the hardware and clear up more serious freezes.

3. Boot into recovery mode

If your Surface Pro still won’t get past the Windows logo, you may need to boot into Windows Recovery.

1. Turn off the device if it’s still frozen.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button, then press and release the Power button.
3. Keep holding the Volume Down button until the Surface logo appears.
4. You should see the recovery menu. From here, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

This tool checks your system for problems and attempts to fix them automatically.

4. Check for hardware issues

If your Surface Pro is still stuck, a hardware issue may be to blame. Try these steps:

• Remove accessories like SD cards, keyboards, and USB drives.
• Plug in the power adapter to make sure your device isn’t low on battery.
• Try a different charging cable if the device won’t turn on at all.

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your Surface Pro is still frozen on the Windows logo, there could be a deeper hardware issue, and it may be time to get expert help.

Stop by your nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store, and our experts can run a full diagnostic and get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.

FAQ

What causes a Surface Pro to get stuck on the Windows logo?

This can happen because of system update errors, failed startups, hardware issues, or corrupted files.

How long should I hold the Power button for a force restart?

Hold the Power button for about 20 seconds to fully shut down your Surface Pro.

Will I lose my data if I use Startup Repair?

No, Startup Repair is designed to fix problems without deleting your files. But if you reset the device or reinstall Windows, you may lose data.

What if my Surface Pro won’t turn off at all?

If the screen is frozen and won’t respond to any button presses, let the battery drain completely. Then try charging it and restarting.