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Surface book stuck on boot screen with red bar and unlock icon

Anonymous
2025-04-05T18:39:44+00:00

First of all this isn't my device so I don't have any information on specific model or processor or any other technical details. Pretty sure it's running Windows 10, but as we can't boot, that's not verifiable.

The device is stuck with the red bar and security unlock icon. I have tried repeatedly to get the UEFI screen to come up by holding the volume up button while pressing and releasing the power on button after having the system off for even several minutes. I've tried both with the AC power plugged in and not plugged in. NOTHING changes the red bar. I've held the volume up button for several seconds after the surface screen and red bar come up, and I've also tried releasing it right away. IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO TURN SECURITY BACK ON? Anything else I can try?

Appreciate suggestions, thanks.

Cindy

Surface | Surface Book | Safety and security

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-06T03:03:23+00:00

    Hi Cindy,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I understand your concern. A red bar across the top of your screen that shows an unlocked lock icon. If you see this screen, Secure Boot is turned off. Secure Boot is an important security feature designed to prevent malicious software from loading when your PC starts up (boots).

    Solution: Turn on Secure Boot:

    1. Shut down your Surface and wait about 10 seconds to make sure it's off.
    2. Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface, and, at the same time, press and release the power button.
    3. The Microsoft or Surface logo appears on your screen. Continue to hold the volume-up button until the UEFI screen appears.
    4. Select Security.
    5. Under Secure Boot, select Change Configuration.
    6. Select a Secure Boot certificate keyset (for example, Microsoft only).
    7. Select Exit > Restart now to save your changes and restart your Surface.

    I know you have tried many times, but the only way to solve this problem is to enter Surface UEFI and turn on Secure Boot. Please be sure to continue trying several times. If it still doesn't work, there may be a hardware problem.

    For specific Surface models, you can choose to view the devices associated with your Microsoft account.

    1. Go to account.microsoft.com/devices.
    2. Sign in to your Microsoft account, and under Devices, select Manage Devices to view your associated devices.

    If you're already signed in, your associated devices may automatically open for you to view.

    I hope this helps. If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Your Sincerely

    Hahn. W - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-07T03:03:03+00:00

    Hello Hahn. So there's no other way to turn Secure Boot back on? No other way to get to the UEFI menu? Is it normal for it to take multiple tries of holding down the volume up button and pressing power on to get the UEFI menu to appear? I mean, it's not really a timing issue when it's just those two buttons and one's held down and the other's just pressed once, right? How long does it take the UEFI menu to appear after the Surface logo and red bar/unlock icon show up? Should I keep pressing the volume up button? For how long?

    Is there a way to boot the device on a bootable USB key and do some diagnostics? As I mentioned, this is not my device., so I don't know if the owners have a Microsoft account or know how to get into it. I'll have to ask. Does the Surface have a TPM device on the motherboard, and could it be defective?

    Thanks,

    Cindy

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