How to replace a Surface Book keyboard
I have a Microsoft Surface Book (one of the originals) that I bought a couple of years ago, and the keyboard was starting to act up. Over the course of a couple of days, several keys became difficult to type, and then a few stopped working altogether. I borrowed an external keyboard from my son, which worked fine as a temporary fix, but I use my Surface Book a lot when I travel and the external keyboard wasn’t going to work long term.
A nearby computer repair shop told me that they could fix the keyboard, but that it would require taking it apart to identify the circuit board part number, finding the circuit board online (apparently Microsoft doesn’t sell this replacement part), and then replacing it. Total estimated cost: at least $500.
I did some googling of my own, and there were a number of used/refurbished Surface Book keyboards available on eBay for less than $300, but they were described as being “Model 1703” or “Model 1704” or “Model 1705,” and I couldn’t figure out what those numbers referred to, or which model my Surface Book was. There wasn’t a 1703, 1704, or 1705 in any of the Product ID or System information on my computer, and the internet was being remarkably unhelpful.
As far as I can tell, here’s what those numbers refer to:
The number 1703 refers to the original Surface Book model, while the numbers 1704 and 1705 refer to specific Surface Book keyboard models. In particular, Model 1704 appears to be related to the Surface Books with a 256G hard drive, 8G RAM, and a Core i5 CPU (this is the one that I have). Model 1705 appears to be related to the Surface Books with a 512G hard drive, 16G RAM, and a Core i7 CPU. (It doesn’t really make sense to me that there would be two different versions of the Surface Book keyboard, so if someone else can confirm or correct this, please let me know in the comments.)
So I ordered a “Genuine Keyboard Base 1704 for Microsoft Surface Book” for $279 from AVE_Electronics on eBay and it showed up at my door two days later (free shipping!). I took it out of the box, attached my screen to it, and I was back in business. No hardware issues, no reconfiguring, no hassles. It was like I had a brand new laptop. (The battery life seems to be pretty close to what I had before as well.)
I’m not sure why this had to be such a confusing experience, as I’m sure there are plenty of people who have a perfectly good Surface Book screen and just need a replacement keyboard, but for those of you in a similar situation, I hope this info helps you out.
Update: It turns out that the numbers 1703, 1704, and 1705 are in fact stamped on the Surface Books. If you detach the screen from the keyboard base, you’ll find the numbers on the inner edge of each part where they connect together. Thanks to kevin holden of ChipChopModUK, for sharing this super helpful info.
Image by Marijan Kelava [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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31 Responses to “How to replace a Surface Book keyboard”
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Hi Bill,
You’re welcome! Glad it helped.
This was MASSIVELY helpful! Thank you…
Hi Kris, eBay worked well for me.
excellent. Very useful. I am having similar issues with the keyboard. Trying to get one from ebay.
Hi Ann!
I had zero issues with data loss when I replaced the keyboard on my Surface Book. My understanding is that the “computer” part of the laptop (i.e., the motherboard, the hard drive, etc.) exists in the screen, which is why it can function as a tablet when detached from the keyboard.
my keyboard on my i7 is swelling because of the battery. Also when you replace the keyboard do you lose any data or is it stored somewhere other than the keyboard?
The 1705 also has the Nvidia graphics chipset and that is what sets it apart. I have yet to find a 1705 replacement…
I just bought a replacement surface book keyboard (1704). Sadly it does not seem to fully recognize the surface dock. it apparently connects, draws power and sends out video but wont recognize a mouse and external keyboard attached to the dock (by usb). the same mouse and keyboard attached to the replacement keyboard are recognized.
I reattached the old surface book keyboard to the dock and it works fine. so it isnt the dock. im guessing its the connector on the replacement keyboard that doesnt have full functionality (but has some)
I have a Surface Book 2 and the keyboard got damaged due to accidental spillage. I asked Microsoft. They told about a replacement with refurbished Surface Book 2 for 568£ with 3 months service warranty( apology if the terminologies are misspelt)
I am planning to get a keyboard as suggested. But unable to detach the touch screen. The battery also is down. Was sure that the touchscreen was working before the battery went off fully. Can anybody help for detaching the panel?
Hi Brian,
Sorry, but I don’t have any experience with the Surface Book 2 models.
I have a Surface Book 2 13.5 that needs a keyboard. Any recommendations?
Very Helpful. I had all but resigned to the idea of buying a new laptop. Now it seems I have an alternative option. One question I have is ebay has some OEM keyboards “From China” it says. Doe snayone here have any experience if thos ework fine? The Genuine MS keyboards are few, used and expensive $400 . At that point, I might be better paying $600 to MS for a full replacement with a refurbished Surface Book Version 1
This was helpful
Thanks Paul!
I have a ms surface book 1 from July 2016 i7 1TB SSD 16 GB Ram and NVidia GPU. The keyboard is 1705 while the display / tablet is 1703.
Thanks Martin, I’ve used eBay many times and always had good luck with them. I definitely did when replacing my defective Surface Book keyboard. Let us know how it goes!
Thank you for sharing information. I HAVE PROCEEDED TO MAKE AN EBAY ORDER AND HOPING THAT IT WORKS OUT OK. I DID TAKE OUT INSURANCE AS I am new to this arrangement and working with a lot of trust.
Thanks Chuck, good to know. I also had good luck on eBay when replacing my Surface Book base.
My wife’s 1704 Surfacebook base failed over a year ago, I had a 1705 and sacrificed my base to her and have been operating my tablet with a bluetooth keyboard and Surface dock since then.
The 1704 CAN BE replaced with a 1705. Been working for 1+ years. Just now am discovering there are 1705 bases available on eBay and Aliexpress.
I agree Glyn, I was surprised I had to work so hard to find this out.
Very helpful information, pity Microsoft doesn’t provide it together with the parts users may need.
I don’t know how they get away with it.
I assume when you say “series 2” you’re referring to the Surface Book 2? It’s a good question, but I don’t have any experience with the Surface Book 2. I’d love to hear if you find out anything.
Hi,
Can I use 1704 keyboard with a series 2 screen?
Hi Cris!
According to kevin holden in a previous comment, the 1704 and 1705 keyboard base models are compatible, so I would assume the 1704 and 1705 motherboards would be compatible as well, though that’s just an assumption on my part.
Lance
Hi Rob,
So my 1704 keyboard battery isn’t charging so I thought I had to replace the battery. I switch the battery and it wasn’t that, it’s the charging port, so to change that I need to completely change out the motherboard. By any chance would you know if I get a 1705 motherboard would it work fine ?
Hi Rob!
I have had exactly zero issues with my eBay-purchased keyboard replacement after approximately 7 months of use. Note that my original keyboard model was a 1704, which I replaced with another 1704. Kevin says the 1704 and 1705 keyboards should be interchangeable, but I don’t have any personal experience to verify that.
Hi,
Following a spillage, my 1705 keyboard was trashed. Unable to find a replacement, like yourself I managed to purchase a 1704 second-hand on Ebay.
Using it, however, I’m finding some erratic behaviour and I’m trying to understand if it is a hardware problem and I need to return it, or just drivers etc that need updating.
For example, sometimes the cursor keys give me , or # chars instead of moving the cursor.
Did you have any teething problems? Any advice greatfully received.
Well I’ll be damned. I just detached my tablet from my keyboard and sure enough, I found a 1703 and 1704 right where you said they’d be. When I get a chance, I’ll update this post with some photos of where these numbers are.
Thanks, Kevin!
i can tell you that 1703 refers to the tablet part of the surface book (original) 1704/05 refer to the keyboard base, they are both interchangeable and compatible, however, the 1704 keyboard base sports INTEL 550 HD graphics, the 1705 base has a beefier Nvidia GPU 1gb. These numbers are found on the inner edge of each part where they connect together.
Thanks Neil, glad it helped. I’m always surprised when I go online for info and it’s not available, and for something as straightforward as swapping out a Surface Book keyboard. I decided the internet needed this info, incomplete though it may be. I’m hoping others can confirm or add to this eventually.
I don’t have an answer to your question but wanted to thank you for the post. Like you I’ve struggled to understand the difference between the available keyboard replacement models online. Yours is the first time I’ve found a practical answer to the difference.