How to Enter UEFI (BIOS) on a Microsoft Surface
Intermediate
Microsoft Surface
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11
Microsoft Surface
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11
No F-key at all — Surface uses a button combination instead, and the exact timing matters.
Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
- Fully shut down the Surface first — not restart, not sleep. Hold the power button until it turns off completely, then wait about 10 seconds before continuing.
- Press and hold Volume Up, and while still holding it, press and release the Power button once.
- Keep holding Volume Up through the Surface logo appearing — releasing too early is the most common reason this doesn't work, since the logo showing up doesn't mean you can let go yet.
- Release Volume Up once the Surface UEFI screen actually appears, a few seconds after the logo.
- On a Surface Laptop specifically, use the Volume Up key on the keyboard row rather than a separate physical button, and try holding Fn+Volume Up if the plain key press isn't registering.
- If the button method isn't working, or Windows is still starting normally, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings instead — this requires Windows to already be working, but sidesteps the button timing entirely.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Microsoft Surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Surface use a button combination instead of a keyboard key?
Many Surface models are tablets or detachables without a guaranteed physical keyboard connected at boot, so Microsoft designed the UEFI access method around the device's own physical buttons instead.
What if I release Volume Up too early?
The Surface will likely just boot normally into Windows instead of reaching UEFI — simply restart and try again, keeping Volume Up held through the logo appearing and a few seconds beyond.
Related guides
Surface Diagnostic Toolkit Explained
A downloadable tool from Microsoft specifically built for Surface hardware, separate from general Windows troubleshooting.
Where to Get Official Surface Drivers and Firmware (and Avoid Fake Ones)
Windows Update handles this automatically for most Surface devices now — here's when you'd still need to go direct to Microsoft.
How to Factory Reset or Recover a Surface
Surface doesn't use a traditional recovery-partition F-key like other brands — the right method depends on whether Windows still starts at all.