Microsoft apologizes for frustrating Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 owners

On Friday, the Microsoft Surface Team posted "A Note to Our Customers" on the Microsoft Communities website. Written by Josh_F, the message apologized to those "who've had a less-than-perfect experience" with the Surface Book and the Surface Pro 4. The Surface team is "sorry for any frustration this has caused."

The message goes on to add that Microsoft has already sent out a number of updates via Windows Update, and is working on pushing out more in order to improve the user experience for both new Surface devices.  Earlier last month, an update was sent out to fix a problem that led the display to flicker on both models.

Another problem results in the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 failing to achieve a deep enough sleep while in standby. As a result, users of both devices are shocked to discover that when they arrive at a destination after spending some time traveling, the battery on their Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 is nearly dead. Microsoft has said that a fix for the problem will be pushed out early next year.

In the meantime, Windows Central has posted a workaround. Use Cortana to search for Power Options, and click on the second choice for Control Panel. Click on 'Choose what closing the lid does.' Replace Sleep with Hibernate for both plugged in and battery. If using the Surface Pro 4 sans keyboard, make the same change to 'When I press the power button.' Hit Save Changes, and you should see a major improvement.

If that doesn't help, you need to make sure that you don't have your Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 set to never sleep. Right click on the battery icon and tap on Power Options. To the right of the "Balanced" power plan, click on 'Change plan settings.' Set the time you want the screen to go to sleep when it is not being used on battery, and when plugged in. Any time will be okay, just as long as you make sure that you don't have it set for 'Never.'


Until Microsoft sends out the update, these are viable solutions for your Surface Book and Surface Pro 4's sleeping problems.


source: Microsoft via WindowsCentral