Surface laptop 2 linux keyboard Apr 20, 2025 · This page provides a technical introduction to the linux-surface project, its architecture, and core components. I've done this many times in the past over the years on different laptops (not the Surface). 8. Tou Experience the power, speed, and battery life of Surface AI PCs & touchscreen computers, and tablets. 04 LTS, fully updated, freshly built initrd's for both 5. 10 ISO up to this point can now also be installed with the new generic Ubuntu 25. The surface laptops require drivers for the in-built trackpad and keyboard to function these are not included in standard Windows iso's or in Ubuntu. So I took the ultimate step: I installed Linux on a Microsoft Surface laptop. The driver MSI files include all of the drivers and firmware needed to deploy custom images of Windows on your Surface devices. 10 clean install on Intel Surface Laptop 3. For example: Surface devices (4th generation and later) use their own embedded controller (the Surface Aggregator Module, or SAM). Is there anyway I can fix this? I installed Linux Mint 20. x running on the Surface Pro 8. Oct 18, 2023 · The surface laptop studio seems well supported by linux-surface. Why Install Linux on an Old Laptop? Linux is a “lighter” operating system than Windows. Everything is fine in Windows. 2 LTS on my SLS and installed the linux-surface kernel. 04 LTS. The transition is complete and this forum is now closed to all new posts. IIRC nearly every piece of hardware (including the pen) worked flawlessly but I don't know if I had to install any custom firmware besides the linux kernel (the surface linux wiki and arch wiki are your best bet for May 16, 2020 · Are there any ways of getting the keyboard to work with ubuntu v20. I have an older Surface running Windows 10 that I would like to convert to Fedora but have seen a lot of negative posts here and elsewhere. Environment Hardware model: Surface Laptop Studio, Touchscreen When Ubuntu is first installed the only thing that did not work for me is the touch screen. Aug 29, 2022 · Distro The last time I did this, I was using Fedora. I did some Apr 22, 2025 · Immediately upon installation, Ubuntu 25. The linux-surface project enables Linux to run optimally on Microsoft Surface devices by providing custom kernel patches, drivers, and utilities that support Surface-specific hardware not yet fully supported in the upstream Linux kernel. However, out-of-the - box, they are mainly optimized for Windows. Ubuntu includes support for fingerprint readers, and if detected they should appear in settings as an Nov 29, 2021 · Hi, I have followed the Github installation notes by Maximilian Luz and have successfully dual booted Ubuntu 20. Windows, with its ongoing trajectory toward feature-rich (and sometimes resource-intensive) updates, can strain hardware several years old. Connecting a USB keyboard seems like the next option, but the laptop only has one USB-A port which I'm using for the I think it's possible, but again, I exclusively use Linux. Last time I used Linux on a tablet was with Ubuntu 19. trueI have a SL2 and want to install Linux on it. When the device is rebooted, it asks to unlock the disk, which is all well and good except that my laptops native keyboard does not let me type in the key. After installing Ubuntu (MATE) and booting into the OS, neither the built-in keyboard nor touchpad works. 18. This detachable laptop turns into an AI tablet and is our most powerful Surface Pro ever. Jan 24, 2019 · My dad bought a Surface laptop for me. The Surface kernel is not needed for the Surface Go 2. 10 works on kernel 5 on the Surface Laptop 1, I will go ahead and upgrade and see if we can get a second confirmation on this. In the GRUB all works but ,when the OS starts, the keyboard, the trackpad and touchpad don't work and i have to use an external USB keyboard and USB mouse. Details of patches The following patches are required for surface modules to load: Quirk providing IRQ7 override supporting pinctrl-amd interrupt The following patches are required for additional functionality: We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We will use Ubuntu Linux 22. Microsoft Surface devices are renowned for their sleek design and powerful hardware, but out-of-the - box Linux support has historically been limited. 15 (linux-generic-hwe-22. 04 on a surface laptop 2? The touch pad works just not the keyboard? Really want to get off windows 10 :( 3) Have a USB-hub ready (refer to the "State of Surface-Series Devices" thread linked above to see if your keyboard will work OOB). I am able to boot into the system. surface. Feb 21, 2020 · Further support (especially keyboard and touchpad) is currently still under development, so if you're using a Surface Book 3, you probably still want to head over to the Surface Aggregator Module repo and install the module from the feature/sb3-v2 -branch. Remember once you get things installed that you'll need to install the custom linux-surface kernel to get things like your keyboard and mouse working. Evtest sh Since installing a Mac OS is really complicated in Surface Pro 4, I would like to make a triple-boot system of Windows, Ubuntu (which I followed the guide above) and Kali Linux. Currently with newer Microsoft Surface devices like the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Book 3 the keyboard Apr 11, 2019 · The Surface Keyboard will work with Ubuntu 18 upwards Luckily, I have a spare laptop, and was able to use that to test out the pairing on Ubuntu 18 before committing myself to upgrading my main work laptop. It is used to connect the integrated keyboard on those devices. Thank you for supporting this great hardware! I just bought Surface Laptop 2 2018 and trying to get Linux work on it. Shop for surface laptop keyboard at Best Buy. 04) and 5. I have not seen anything updated since April of 2024 and I’m seeing a lot of fixes that I would like to know got into the newest Kernel (41). However using Ubuntu the keyboard, trackpad and touch 18 hours ago · The Surface Laptop 7 reverses earlier Arm-on-Windows efforts that were plagued by lackluster performance and limited compatibility, with many x86 apps unable to run on an Arm-based system. 04 Noble Nimbat or other Linux versions from a USB stick on a Microsoft Surface Laptop. Did have to do some messing about with an updated kernel to get everything working (noting the restrictions around full touch support at the bottom of the linked article). In general, it requires fewer resources to run well, and as a result, it can breathe new life In this video, I show you how to install Linux OS on your Microsoft Surface device. Contribute to sqrdevl/linux-surface-2 development by creating an account on GitHub. I went ahead and upgraded to kernel 5 and ubuntu budgie 18. Trackpad and built in keyboard do not work (aside from power button). 04 LTS on my Surface Laptop 3. Further Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work perfectly fine on the default kernel on 22. Apr 18, 2020 · Decided to create this post after few days of struggling with this I'm running 4. May 9, 2025 · My Surface laptop finally started showing its age, and try as I might, there wasn’t much I could do to improve its performance. I still like RedHat and derivatives, but this time I decided to go with Ubuntu 22. The Linux Surface Project bridges this gap by providing a set of tools, drivers Surface devices (4th generation and later) use their own embedded controller (the Surface Aggregator Module, or SAM). I've done this many times in the past over the years on different laptops. It really isn't usable without an attached keyboard and mouse. 04 seems to have very good support for the Surface Go, including multi-touch on the screen and trackpad, use of the Surface Pen, speakers, and the external (physical) keyboard. Mar 30, 2024 · Kernel The linux-surface kernel is currently required for the Surface Laptop 4 AMD 15" to function. While it comes pre-installed with Windows, many users are interested in running Linux on it to take advantage of the open-source ecosystem, customizability, and various software options. Is there a way to get Ubuntu working on the device? Hi, i just dual booted my Surface Laptop 2 with Ubuntu and installed the jakeday kernel but the built in keyboard does not work. Facial recognition works through Howdy, and the touchscreen, trackpad, camera, and keyboard works when you install the linux-surface kernel. Mar 14, 2025 · System Surface Laptop 7 for Business with Intel Intel Core Ultra 258V with Arc 130V graphics 32Gb + 512 Gb Kernel: 6. You need the custom linux-surface kernel to use the trackpad and keyboard on most Surface models. 13. I can't proceed with Sep 8, 2017 · The laptop is my daugter's laptop (I have a old fashion Centrino 2 VAIO thath works very well) but I thing that is like putting hangcuts to her mind to teach how to handle this Windows S thing Nov 8, 2020 · Hey folks, Thanks for all the amazing work in this community! Running Ubuntu 20. About Linux ACPI and Platform Drivers for Surface Devices using the Surface Aggregator Module over Surface Serial Hub (Surface Book 2, Surface Pro 2017, Surface Laptop, and Newer) Aug 23, 2020 · Surface Laptop 2 Keyboard not working in Linux Mint dual boot Forum rules Before you post read how to get help. Add in the increased security of open source Linux software and the absence of manufacturer spyware makes the LSG2 a definite runner in the tablet and 2-in-1 stakes. Hello, Unregistered. Contribute to linux-surface/linux-surface development by creating an account on GitHub. Do you think linux-surface would also support the surface laptop studio 2 ? Regards Jan 10, 2025 · I'm trying to install Ubuntu on my Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, but when I boot the live installer, the keyboard, touchpad, and touchscreen don't work. 04, but you can choose another OS and follow the instructions on the GitHub May 17, 2019 · Hi. #1822 Open Madmaxx636 opened 19 minutes ago. 0 kernel I could boot Linux, NVMe, the internal display and the touchscreen worked, for installation I had to use an external keyboard. 4 with the organic ubuntu disk encryption (LUKs I believe) disk encryption. In contrast to other devices, however, some newer Surface devices route their keyboard and touchpad input via this controller. 2 drives like this one, upgrading the SSD is quite easy. 04 on a Microsoft Surface laptop to make a dual boot. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation. Jun 29, 2020 · I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, but i have some problems with Ubuntu 20. 3 inch, 7 Color Backlit Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Portable Magnetic Keyboard with Trackpad Experience all-day battery life and versatility in the AI-powered Surface Pro 2-in-1 device, now available with a 12-inch PixelSense touchscreen. x kernel). I had to reset the surface to factory doing a bare metal way. To enable the touchscreen functionality on your Microsoft Surface Book running Ubuntu Desktop, you’ll need to install a custom kernel specifically tailored for Surface devices. Running Linux on a Surface device can unlock new possibilities, from software development to running lightweight applications more Feb 28, 2023 · I just installed Ubuntu 22. 04-edge) kernels, the embedded keyboard of a Microsoft Surface 4 Laptop model 1950 (Intel Gen 11), namely "Microsoft Surface 045E:09AE Keyboard", is not available during early boot, such as for entering a full disk encryption passphrase. 0. Jul 11, 2025 · During installation using a Live USB drive (running the Live OS from the USB), my laptop’s built-in keyboard and touchpad work perfectly. Even the pen works! So does detach. 13 there is going to be not only the Surface DTX driver but another new Surface driver queued up is "surface-hid" that will allow supporting the keyboard and touchpad on newer Surface devices. While they typically come with Windows pre-installed, many users prefer to use Linux for its flexibility, open-source nature, and rich ecosystem of software. Historically, Surface devices have been closely associated with Windows, but many users prefer the customizability, security, and open-source nature of Linux. 04LTS. Dec 28, 2022 · If keyboard drivers are outdated or have corrupted files, the drivers can cause your Surface laptop keyboard to freeze or behave strangely. Aug 11, 2022 · How to install Debian/Linux on a Microsoft Surface Book May 11, 2018 · I run the linux-surface kernel w/ Ubuntu on my SL3, and it runs great. Ubuntu, on the other hand, is a widely used open-source Linux distribution renowned for its user-friendliness, security, and vast software repository. I run Fedora 35 with the stock kernel on the surface laptop go, and everything except for the fingerprint reader works very well. Out of the box with a 6. 6 days ago · Microsoft Surface devices are known for their sleek design, portability, and high-end performance. endmenu config SURFACE_HID_CORE tristate Follow the install instructions here. The Surface Pro 6 with MSHW0111 as SID-device-ID is now correctly set up. Sep 29, 2023 · Is your Surface keyboard not working? Dive into this comprehensive guide and learn how to fix software and hardware issues with your Surface keyboard. 6-1. Environment Hardware model: SP8 Kernel version: Linux surface2 5. 10. . I notice that when entering the OS, the Caps Lock indicator light turns on, and pressing the Caps Lock Jan 31, 2024 · Update Ubuntu Keyboard Drivers Regularly updating Ubuntu keyboard drivers is crucial for resolving compatibility issues. All you need to install Ubuntu 22. 04 and kernel upgrade on Surface Laptop 4, the keyboard backlight and Capslock/Fn LED stay off. Installing Ubuntu on a Surface Pro can combine the best of both worlds, providing users with the flexibility of Linux on a Feb 25, 2024 · Hi, I've installed the Surface Linux kernel on my Surface Laptop Go gen 1 with Ubuntu 22. By contrast, Linux is well known for its efficiency How to boot and install Ubuntu 24. Just make sure to create a recovery drive before you start - any external USB with 16GB of space will do. How can I fix this? My mouse works just fine. So far it works great on my Microsoft Surface Book 2 using the modifed linux-surface kernel. Booting Batocera from a G-Drive external SSD. The `linuxsurface` kernel bridges this gap Feb 23, 2025 · Tested Ubuntu on a Surface Pro 11. 6. After installing fedora 39 and the surface kernel (6. 6 days ago · The combination of Ubuntu, a popular open-source Linux distribution, and Microsoft Surface devices, known for their sleek design and high-performance hardware, offers users a unique computing experience. It covers touchscreen, pen/stylus input, type cover keyboards/touchpads, and physical buttons. I'm planning to install Linux on my surface go to use it as daily driver soon (because Windows is damn crap). 04 on the Surface Go 2 is a USB-C flash drive or a USB-A to USB-C adapter and a USB-A flash drive. Any help would be appreciated. Apart from the cameras, almost every device on the system works out of the box and only a few devices require minimal efforts to get up and running Apr 8, 2025 · If portability, light weight and value for money are major considerations then a Linux Surface Go 2 may well be on your shortlist. This blog will provide you with an in-depth understanding of running Linux on a Surface Pro, including May 22, 2017 · I was happy to find this article, until I tried everything I could think of and more to get Ubuntu installed onto my fairly new Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ I know how to install and use Ubuntu, I'm currently running Kubuntu on a Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. Installing the linux-surface kernel adde On Surface laptops with M. Anyone needing support for Ubuntu or the official flavours should seek help at Ubuntu Discourse. Just pressing enter at Like the original Surface Go, the Surface Go 2 does not require any special kernel such as the Surface Kernel to work almost perfectly on a modern Linux distribution (tested on Manjaro Linux 20. Battery life is maybe 3-4 hours with constant use, so it’s worse than Windows but still normal. I installed the jakeday/linux-surface kernel and it still didn't work but chances are I did this wrong considering I'm new to Linux. 04 with the linux-surface kernel patches for 5. trueErrr. 1 GNOME Edition with the stock 5. May 10, 2025 · Why Consider Linux on a Surface Laptop? There’s a pragmatic charm to installing Linux on older hardware, especially a device that originally shipped as a flagship for Microsoft’s ecosystem. 6 days ago · Linux Surface is a project aimed at providing a seamless Linux experience on Microsoft Surface devices. No matter what I do, the keyboard doesn't work at all (no keypresses are registered) when trying to install the distro from a bootable USB Topogram Thread Dec 17, 2020 installation keyboard Linux Kernel for Surface Devices. While Surface devices are typically associated with Windows operating systems, running Ubuntu on them can provide additional flexibility, security, and access to a vast array of open-source May 25, 2021 · Re: keyboard not working on microsoft surface laptop 2 #11 by AVLinux » Tue May 25, 2021 10:33 am wangers88 wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 9:47 am no on board keyboard on live or once installed thought once installed that it would just be a different keyboard layout the above is the text copied OK. At this point most hardware works fine but not internal keyboard. A help and support forum for Ubuntu Linux. From sleek designs to supercharged AI, do more with Surface 2-in-1, laptop, tablet, and all-in-one computers. Here is the link to the GitHub page, instructions are quite comprehensive for many distros. 10 ¹⁹ For Intel 12th generation devices that has problem that seem to be affected across that Intel generation of Surface devices, see device specified and "Intel 12th Generation Devices Issues" wiki page for more information. Linux running on the Microsoft Surface devices . However, peripheral devices function normally. Follow MrHG78's guide for instructions on a different Surface, but it's the same procedure. I booted into Linux mint (and I tried ubuntu) from a usb drive (but I didn't install the OS if this makes a difference when adding a kernel) and noticed that the keyboard and webcam were not compatible. 3 "Una" Cinnamon on a Surface Laptop 2 via dual boot and the embedded keyboard was not working, however i connected and external keyboard and mouse via usb an worked. If it is reported to not work OOB, plug in an external keyboard/mouse as necessary, but be sure to leave a USB port open. Jun 13, 2021 · [Description of the bug or feature] After a fresh installation of Ubuntu 21. Follow the instructions below to install the latest kernel and config files. 04 work on Snapdragon X Elite laptops? Most devices that have only worked with the Ubuntu Concept 24. Sep 5, 2020 · Solution to making the Surface Laptop keyboard work with Ubuntu 20. 114-1-surface-lts kernel on Surface Laptop 2 , multitouch and keyboard works great inside the system however inte Apr 20, 2025 · This page documents the touch and input device drivers specific to Microsoft Surface devices in the linux-surface project. Can run Ubuntu on it? I tried and the keyboard does not work, so is there any version available that solves this problem? I just booted the live USB 10 minutes ago on my Surface Pro 1 and I have to disagree. Surface Book 2 is The Perfect Linux Laptop (Thanks to jakeday and qzed) First and foremost, big thanks to u/jakeday42 and qzed for all the work that's gone into the Jakeday kernel and ACPI module. My keyboard does not work on ubuntu. One annoyance I have though is that the default Wayland/Gnome on-screen keyboard leaves a lot to be desired. The touch pad works, but the keyboard doesn't. I will say that Dash to Panel sometimes freezes when I use the touch screen, but I don’t know if that has anything to do with the hardware. 15. The trackpad works but not the keys. 8the latest) I have touch screen and can see battery status but no keyboard/trackpad. Aug 4, 2022 · Usefully Linux support for the Surface Go touch screen is available right from the start, simplifying using your Surface as a tablet during install rather than having to work with a Surface Go Dec 17, 2020 · Hi, I'm trying to install linux on a Microsoft Surface laptop to dual boot. Hi, I'm trying to install arch linux on my surface laptop studio 2, and I'm running into an issue where after I boot into the installation media (from the UEFI menu), none of my keyboard inputs from the laptop's built in keyboard are recognised, meaning I can't install anything. Feb 22, 2019 · If you can confirm that 18. I tried some common solut May 28, 2024 · Let's look at a few troubleshooting methods to try and potentially fix your Surface Laptop's keyboard that's not working. 19 (linux-generic-hwe-22. ¹⁸ Requires linux-surface kernel >=5. With Linux 5. On our Surface Laptop, the keyboard wasn't working, but the touchpad was. Aug 25, 2022 · We recently encountered this problem on a Surface Laptop 4, but we've seen reports that it can also occur on Microsoft's other laptops, from the original Surface Laptop to the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Laptop 3. Dec 17, 2020 · I'm trying to install Ubuntu 20. Mar 23, 2023 · [Description of the bug or feature] Follow the instructions to update Linux surface, touchpad doesn't work after update. I followed instruction Mar 30, 2021 · The quest of improving the Microsoft Surface laptop support under Linux continues. Touchscreen, the Signature Keyboard and the touch panel do not work as without the pa 6 days ago · The Microsoft Surface Pro is a popular 2-in-1 laptop known for its sleek design, portability, and powerful performance. (touchscreen works fine). Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up Hi All, I bought a Surface Go 2 for the sole purpose of installing Ubuntu on it (22. Jul 23, 2025 · Surface Laptop 3 (Intel) 15 inch - Kubuntu 25. 04 arm64 ISO. If you have not already done so, you can log into Ubuntu Discourse using the same Ubuntu Nov 6, 2022 · Hello, I try to get Ubuntu 22. It plays nicer than Windows with my KVM. Now that we've got that, everything (that matters) works. Jan 14, 2025 · Is there a definitive guide to loading Fedora on this machine. 33 votes, 25 comments. Jan 2, 2023 · Linux Kernel for Surface Devices. Works pretty well, I have a surface laptop 1 and 2 running Ubuntu. Do on screen keyboard appear automatically when I tap on a text field? Jun 21, 2025 · The Surface Pro, a versatile 2-in-1 device by Microsoft, offers a sleek design and powerful performance. 10), so far it's been a few days with this setup and I'm really happy with it. 04. I am able to attach a USB keyboard and that works. 19. To keep my keyboard drivers up-to-date, I executed the following commands in a terminal window – sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade These commands updated all the software on my Ubuntu system, including the keyboard drivers. Jul 15, 2024 · This package contains drivers for all of the components in the Surface Laptop 2, as well as updates to the system firmware that have been released via Windows Update. 04 - Multiple issues. I'm wondering how to debug and listen to events from the SAM? I'm surprised that nearly everything works here besides pen support (who even used a pen on a surface laptop anyways). 04lts onto my Surface Laptop 3. 10 on a Lenovo X1 Carbon tablet, while everything worked out of the box, the keyboardless experience was a bit lacking. Say M or Y here, if you want support for the integrated keyboard on Microsoft Surface Laptops 1 and 2. The Linux Surface project bridges this gap by enabling users to run Linux distributions on these devices while Oct 5, 2023 · Hi, I'm trying to install linux on a Microsoft Surface laptop to dual boot. I’m having issues getting Bliss OS to even boot off the usb; assuming I get it on, is there a way to install the linux-surface kernel in Bliss or would I break everything? Aug 9, 2020 · I installed Ubuntu on my surface laptop2. 04 Microsoft surface is a series of touchscreen-based personal computers and interactive white boards designed and developed by … Feb 22, 2023 · 2 Linux amateur here, I have a Microsoft Surface laptop 2, running Ubuntu 22. It all seems to work well, but I can't get my head around the quirk I need to add for the touchpad to work prop Haven't had any issues with it besides my surface also being 5 years old at this point (bought a Framework laptop 2 months ago). The best thing to do is to uninstall and install them again. A non co… 6 days ago · The Linux Surface Project is a remarkable initiative that aims to bring the power and flexibility of the Linux operating system to Microsoft Surface devices. Feb 13, 2023 · [ Impact ] With 22. I really, REALLY want to run Linux on the Surface Pro and have it be usable without a keyboard and mouse, but so far, no distribution I've tried is even workable, let alone comparable to Windows. Jun 25, 2025 · Does Ubuntu 25. 2-surface #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMI 6 days ago · In the realm of Linux, the `linuxsurface` kernel stands out as a specialized kernel tailored to enhance the compatibility and functionality of Microsoft Surface devices with the Linux operating system. fc41 Tested on Fedora 41 Workstation, out of box these works: Tou May 18, 2020 · I have a surface laptop 2. Is it possible to use Surface kernel to add keyboard and touchpad support to Batocera Linux? RIght now only solution is a USB keyboard and then it requires a hard reset afterwards since the onboard power key no longer functions properly without SAM. The linux-surface GitHub project provides these kernels, offering enhanced support for hardware features like the Aug 22, 2022 · When booting, at the password entry to deencrypt LUKS volumn, the surface keyboard does not work. This is an update about the transition of the forums to Ubuntu Discourse. Surface Pro Keyboard, Wireless Type Cover for Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Plus 7/6/5/4/3 12. No matter what I do, the keyboard doesn't work at all (no keypresses are registered) when trying to install the distro from a bootable USB stick. I often use my tablet without the keyboard (type cover) so I use on screen keyboard quite frequently. Right now is running the same version but in VM Waware Workstation on top of Windows 10 Pro. One of the selling points of the Surface Go is the detachable Keyboard. Microsoft Surface devices are well-known for their sleek design, high-end hardware, and excellent portability. Help Title says all. ykp yhlsz nrqf xrjor texirfd quqk zsxwes bvdun ltidt agrxg nlhg rmapjspl sxgmz gjczb ljlilkaa