Surface Pro 7 random shutdowns are making Microsoft customers lose faith

Surface Pro 7
(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft's Surface Pro 7 is among the best 2-in-1 laptops for those who want the convenience of a tablet but the power and productivity of a laptop. In our Surface Pro 7 review, we gave the hybrid device a 4-star rating for its bright display and zippy performance. 

Unfortunately, some Surface Pro 7 owners are having a 1-star experience with the device. As Notebookcheck reports, multiple forums threads on Microsoft's website are filled with angry customers complaining about their Surface Pro 7 randomly shutting down. 

The problem is widespread enough for a Microsoft employee to step in and assure everyone that the issue is being monitored. 

In one thread, user GargyaMalla describes the issue, "If the device stays ideal for a minute it directly shuts down. I have checked all the sleep and power settings and that's not an issue. I see this was an issue in previous versions too. Any fix?"  

Microsoft has an "I have the same question" button for users encountering the same problem. So far, 537 people have clicked it. 

When the post went up, a Microsoft agent quickly stepped in with instructions for a potential fix. However, several users say their tablet continues to shut down after completing the steps. The thread about random Surface Pro 7 shutdowns is now 28 pages long and growing with the newest posts added on April 15. 

The problems appear to exist across all Surface Pro 7 model, no matter your configuration. There doesn't appear to be a one-size-fits-all fix but some folks have had luck by making certain changes.

Surface Pro 7 shutting down: What to do

If your Surface Pro 7 is randomly shutting down, try changing the default sleep time in your settings. Type "Sleep" in the search bar and select "Power and sleep settings."  From here, change the sleep time from the default 5 minutes. 

You should also ensure you've downloaded the latest software update for your tablet. Again, head over to the search bar and type "Search for updates." On the next page press the Check for updates box. 

If that doesn't work, I'm afraid you might need to send your device in or get Microsoft's support team on the phone. Microsoft hasn't provided a satisfactory resolution for these random shut down problems and other user-posted solutions are complicated and won't work for everyone. 

We'll leave this link to the forum post so you can scan through it for answers while you wait for Microsoft to step up. 

Phillip Tracy

Phillip Tracy is the assistant managing editor at Laptop Mag where he reviews laptops, phones and other gadgets while covering the latest industry news. After graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Phillip became a tech reporter at the Daily Dot. There, he wrote reviews for a range of gadgets and covered everything from social media trends to cybersecurity. Prior to that, he wrote for RCR Wireless News covering 5G and IoT. When he's not tinkering with devices, you can find Phillip playing video games, reading, traveling or watching soccer.

Latest in 2-in-1 Laptops
The Asus Vivobook 16 Flip convertible laptop on a black and white desk, against a gray background.
Asus Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607) review: A gorgeous OLED and great battery life make for a compelling convertible
Blue Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 2-in-1 laptop with Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU against blue gradient background with epic deal sticker.
Laptop Mag's beloved Lenovo Yoga 9i with Intel Core Ultra 7 just dropped $450
Asus ROG Flow Z13 vs. Surface Pro 11
Asus ROG Flow Z13 vs. Surface Pro 11: Which detachable 2-in-1 is the best?
Framework Laptop 12 open on a white table with hands typing on the keyboard.
Framework's new 12-inch laptop is budget-friendly — but it may have one very tiny problem
A split image of the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) on a pink gaming chair and the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo (A2VM) on a white desk with a blue background.
MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo vs. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024): Which 2-in-1 is worth your time?
Silver HP Envy x360 15 against blue gradient background
The convertible HP Envy x360 15 with Intel Ultra 7 gets $400 price slash in early Presidents' Day sale [Update]
Latest in News
A close-up of a light-colored computer keyboard shows the keys T, Y, G, and H replaced by the logos of OpenAI, DeepSeek, Grok, and Gemini, the leading competitors in the artificial intelligence market. This serves as a visual metaphor for the intense rivalry and innovation in the AI industry. (Photo by Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Is generative AI inadvertently reducing the voices of many to the banality of one?
WWDC 2025 could mark the beginning of the end for certain iPhone users
Error when installing Google Chrome on the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip, on a white desk against a blue background.
"This app can't run on your PC": Google's Chrome Installer broke on Windows, but there's a fix
Nintendo Switch 2 handheld gaming console
Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date: It might be a lot closer than you think, say tipsters
Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition, 2024)
Windows-on-Arm woes: Amazon warns customers about Surface laptop returns
Apple Watch Series 8
Siri is the biggest obstacle to making the Apple Watch an AI hit