Surface Pro 3 November 18 Firmware update is now live

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

A few days ago, Microsoft detailed that a new firmware update was inbound for the increasingly popular Surface Pro 3.

Starting today at 1 pm ET, that update is now live.

The firmware update itself is relatively small, and the installation of the update took less than three minutes on the Core i7 version of the Surface. Users should also notice that during this system update, there is now a proper progress bar during the firmware update.

So what's in this firmware? Many fixes for Wi-Fi and a few for accidental wake-ups:

Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.350.0)

  • Resolves scenarios where the device will boot to a black screen if McAfee Defense Encryption 7.1.1 is installed.
  • Optimizes the FWPOST time to 3.7 seconds with the fast boot enabled.
  • Prevents situations where system clock loses time when battery falls below 3%.

Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1174.0)

  • Along with the pen update below, this helps prevent scenarios where device may accidentally wake up from sleep while being stored or carried.

Surface Pen Settings driver update (v2.5.14.0)

  • Along with the home button driver update above, this helps to prevent scenarios where the device may accidentally wake up from sleep while being stored or carried.

Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3066.135)

  • Enables better throughput after waking from sleep and connecting to an 802.11AC network.
  • Ensures Infra scan list is not empty while connected to a wireless display adapter.
  • Resolves an issue connecting to Cisco 1242 access points.
  • Ensures device reconnects properly to a hidden SSID using a 5Ghz DFS channel after waking from sleep.
  • Adds customer-requested functionality to prefer 5Ghz connections when both a 2.4ghz and 5ghz connection are present with the same SSID.

Download the update and let us know how it works out in comments! Thanks, Michael A., for the tip!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

81 Comments
  • not sure if it's good or bad that the SP3 has recieved so many updates compare to the SP and SP2
  • I think for most of us, the SP3 got pretty 'bug free' months ago. Most of these updates have been small, or just general improvements and tweaks.
  • I am happy to hear this. My SP3 is working flawless
  • I can't recall ever having many problems with my SP3. Wasn't a day 1 purchase, but I have had it since early August.
    I did have problems with the SP1, up until the switch. So I welcome frequent updates.
  • Yeah agreed, though I was a day one purchaser and I can't remember any problems with my SP3 (so far). Though I have noticed various every day usage improvements and a smoother UX.
  • There are ought to be software problems in every device. You just cant squash out bugs at one go. Its really good that Microsoft is acting on the bugs and pushing out updates ASAP...
  • Had it since Labor Day 2014, immediately installed all available updates. Zero problems with it. I think these updates are just minor tweaks and improvements, shows the Microsoft is dedicated to making the Surface Pro 3 the flagship quality device is deserves to be. Continued support is (almost) never a bad thing, my friend.
  • I also did a day one purchase and had zero problems up until like a week or two ago. Wi-Fi issues. Every time it sleeps the Wi-Fi just breaks. Have to turn adapter off and on again... Whack. Hope this fixes it.
  • I'm gonna call it good. Every device has issues. Microsoft is just being good about solving them.
  • Sweet. Imma wait til a W10 build with continuum is available til I get a Surface, however.
  • Hurray...
  • I love mine!
  • It seems that I can't get the update..do i need a surface pro 3 to get it?or is it because I'm Arab... (racist Microsoft)
  • Is SP3 worth buying compare to McBook Pro?
  • Yes, it is way more worth it. It runs full Windows 8.1, has a touch screen, good specs, works as both tablet and laptop, etc...
  • Different strokes, as they say. Surface Pro 3 compares better to the Air, think the Pro is aimed a bit higer. FWIW, I have the 256GB SP3 and I love it.
  • I have both 2013 i5 13" mac pro & i5 SP3. In my opinion the sp3 is the best portable computer available right now. It's light, fast, runs full Windows & I haven't experienced any problems at all. The ability to use the pen, read books & magazines/comics on a beautiful screen that's actually the correct page size is really nice. It'll make you forget about your iPad & mac book. I ended up selling my iPad air to gazelle because I had no need for it any more & my daughter uses the Mac book now. She wants a surface for Christmas by the way
  • Definitely not. As a substitute for an iPad/android tablet yes, but surely not for a beast like MBP.
  • I am confused SP3 or MBP geeezzzz.
  • SP3 use the remaining cash for other goodies
  • Why not? The SP3 has a version with a 512GB SSD, 8GB of RAM and an i7, and it has a 2160*1440 screen.
    It could be a great replacement for a MBP imho. I mean, with those specs you could use professional SW like Photoshop, Protools, After Effects/Premiere Pro and stuff without any problems. Of course, I wouldn't render a whole After Effects project on a SP3, but that'd be a bad idea on a MBP as well ahahahah
  • Yes SP3 has a massive specs but the price is terribly wow!!
  • You're paying for the innovation ;) A MBA is twice the weight of the Surface Pro 3, that has to be worth something.
  • Looking at Apple store not seeing that much price difference. MBA starts at $900 for 11" screen and no digitizer obviously and a 1.4GHz Core i5 with 128 GB SSD. I'd say not that far apart.
  • I run and render after affects and premiere with open browers and onenote. SP3 i7 256SSD 8gbram can handle it. It's the heating and fan that are concerning.
  • Ive got the i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB.......its a beast - Im an Architect, I use AutoCAD, Revit, Rhinoceros, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchbook Pro on it.  Its my Desktop, Laptop, and tablet.  It relegated my ipad to a kids toy.
  • "A beast like MBP"? How does a 13 inch MBP with a Core i5 processor and 2560 by 1600 display (227 PPI) becoming a "beast" compared to my Surface Pro 3's Core i7 and 2160 x 1440 display (216 PPI)? Even if you max out the 13-inch MBAs specs to Core i7, it and the SP3 are nearly identical. One difference is MBA is 3.4 pounds, SP3 is like 1.8.
  • Lets just say that i7 SP3 is beast but that will definitely explode my pocket. Help me to decide before i go rush to the store tomorrow.
    Thanks.
  • Well... Wait and get it next month... I am sure there will be few offers that can help bandage your pocket :-)
  • Mostly on ports, graphics and processor (not the u version). The MBP is more of a full fledged PC while the Surface Pro 3 is more of an ultrabook. Love mine but just pointing out...
  • i5 processor is a beast because Apple used it ;-) even a Pentium 4 chipset is a beast if it is used by Apple. If Microsoft uses i7, it is still a dwarf :-P
  • "a beast like MBP"? What'd you do, cover it in blue fur?
  • Guess I need to go break the news to our desktop/iPad replacement SP3s with the docking station and dual DP monitors that our people just undock and carry to meetings that are not, indeed, a true "beast." No, sadly, they are just a multi display drivin', desktop destroyin', iPad pulverizin', Android androgenizin', Galaxy Tab girly mannin', rough ridin' device. But a beast, alas, they are not. Excuse me for a bit while I go break the news to all the people on my waiting list for this setup that what they really want is their desktop and iPads and to be happy about it...
  • Does anyone from the US know where to buy a discounted surface pro 3 online on black friday? Living in Sweden, but have friend in the US. He gave me credit card info and told me to order it
  • Tiger direct
  • I bought my $1600+ surface (with everything including tax) from cragslist for $900.  You can ask your friend to check around for you.
  • I don't know how things in the US work. I want the i5 with 8gb ram. It's priced 1299 at MS store. Is that the total sum or will there be extra costs, maybe taxes?
  • There will be taxes added on
  • I really hope this resolves the WiFi issues I generally experience (SP3 remains "connected" to my home network when I am at the office amongst others). I don't entirely fault the SP3, since it seems our buildings network config is pretty wierd. Still, other devices work OK so I would expect the SP3 to also. Great support from the Surface team though.
  • I enjoy the pushed BIOS/Firmware updates.  It shows nice support for [IMHO] a wonderfully thought out and crafted device.  [i5/256mb]    KUDOS MS    
  • Why is it always surface pro 3?..
  • Surface Pro 2 is discontinued, though it will still be supported. Fact is Surface Pro 3 is the first Surface to really begin to catch on mainstream, hence the greater support this time around. They go where the numbers are. More importantly, more businesses/companies are using fleets of the Surface Pro 3s, so MS wants to keep them happy.
  • What was the huge 800mb optional update from yesterday? I installed it last night and I swear it made the SP3 faster overall.
  • T'was a roll-up. They're the new Service Paxk. Update 3?
  • You can view you update history, tap on the update in question, and tap View Details to find out.
  • I see what you did there
     
  • Anyone having surface pro USB problems
  • Only with the dock. Says it doesn't have enough resources sometimes.
  • I'm just waiting for my SP3 i7 256SSD to stop heating up from internet explorer or skype. It's ridculous how loud my fan can get and the heat, just a bad story. This needs to be addressed aready.
  • I have the same config - only time IE revs the fan is when watching flash based videos.  I never had issues with skype - are you using desktop version, or the "skype app"
  • I haven't paid any particular attention to flash based causes but I will. No, I mostly use desktop version. But Onenote and skype (desktop) don't play well together.
  • Try playing Microsoft Solitaire or Majong.
  • I want a surface pro 3!!!!
  • Still have 5 Ghz problems. I get 6.5-13 mb speeds compared to 52mb on 2.4 Ghz. In other words I'm not taking advantage of my AC router :(
  • That is odd. When I installed my Nighthawk 1900AC router, I now get wireless speeds that are exactly what my hardwired speeds are. May need to tweak some router settings.
  • Do you have any suggestions? Thing is that when I'm really close to the router speeds are areound 500-700. However when I get a bit further, It dramatically drops: at one point it's 500 and then it goes straight down to 6.5. And what's even stranger is that the range is good enough with 3-4 bars out of 5 :/
  • I wish I did have some suggestions, but at the moment I do not. I've only taken the time to plug in, setup my SSID & passcode and go. I need to dig into my settings actually as when I am uploading to OneDrive, it nearly cripples my connection. From my experience, I have seen zero issues with my SP3 after the previous firmware updates. Hopefully this builds upon them.
  • I can second his experience, the SP3 definitely has issues with Wifi, especially 5Ghz.  I haven't tried this new update, but when I first got it it would slowly lose speed and disconnect then reconnect and repeat, over and over.  It is now at the point where it connects and is mostly stable, but it ignores 5Ghz most of the time. I am using Ubiquiti WAP's, which are common in corporate environments.  Hopefully they resolve this, its a big deal and has blocked me from outright reccomending the SP3 yet.
  • So you have no trouble with other computers on your 5GHz connection? What about taking your SP3 to other 5GHz areas?
  • Sorry but is can't post this I'm the forums for some reason, but there is a reddit ongoing from a Microsoft worker I think just wanted to let you guys know http://redd.it/2msm5j
  • Okay, I need this 5GHz vs. 2.4GHz preference on all my Windows devices. That would be awesome, yes I realise Im being a troll...
  • Yeah definitely loving the fact that they push out updates often, I'm super happy with my sp3 in general, but everything has bugs or places that can be tweaked, so I think they're doing a great job making the whole experience even better
  • Next Sunday I will buy my surface 3....can't wait one more week
  • How can Indians buy surface pro3? Any chance?
  • ANOTHER wireless fix. OMG. MSFT...get wifi right, why can't you?. And no, Daniel, your defense on the prior update that wifi is complex thus we need to overlook this doesn't fly...anymore. It stopped working after the 4th time. I've never had a device that had these many wi-fi problems and those that did were patched at most once...tops. Not 5 times...  
  • WiFi fix #38, what are the odds it actually fixes things? Since we got the prefer 5GHz option, can we ask for uncap speed when plugged in next?
  • After installing this new firmware in my SP3, WiFi did not work anymore. Happily a System Restore brought it back. It is unbellivable the lack of Q&A control MS has even with its own hardware.
  • I'm having wifi-related issues too -- my wireless adapter, which was working flawlessly until now, suddenly no longer works.  I use charms > devices > project > , and then I don't see an option to connect to a wireless display any more. Also seems to be related to the firmware -- my screen rotation isn't working properly.  I had the exact same thoughts -- inexcusable, given the hardware and software are both theirs! Did anyone else lose their ability to project wirelessly?  How about screen rotation?
  • I sold my mac book pro to get a surface 3 , bit fed up with apple and their poor support for older macs,ipads and iPhones , it becomes a joke when my kids Samsung tab 3 runs faster than an iPad 3 , ex isheep and glad to leave that club
  • #respect
  • How many are running the Windows 10 developer preview on their SP3?
  • Here I am
  • I recently bought my SP3 (at Ms Store in Redmond LOL), never a single issue, best tablet ever.
  • Has any tried to play World Of Warcraft on Surface pro 3?
  • Anyone else have issues with the dock and external monitors?
  • Haven't done the update yet, but we haven't had any problems with external monitors. Running DisplayPort out of the dock's port to DisplayPort monitors direct; not using any DP to HDMI/DVI converters.
  • I have problems with two monitors. An attached to the docking station and directly in the Surface Pro 3. Can only use one monitor.
  • Unfortunately my wireless network connection has never been slower since I’ve installed the latest firmware update. Tested with some large file downloads and get 300 KB/sec at most, tested from other devices and they run just fine (several MB/sec) so no problem with my internet connection. My SP3 (i5/128GB) is connected to a Linksys E4200.   Anybody else seen similar issues?
  • Miracast doesnt work after Update. can anyone try miracast after the new firmware-update? My Surface 3 pro shows no wireless displays since update.   thx leo
  • Hello Daniel, I was wondering if you could shed some light: One of the major reasons why I purchased SP3 was the battery life, which according to the manufacturer is expected to last up to 9 hours. Now I am a bit disappointed, though. My SP3 Core i7's (256 GB) battery life does not last as long as MS claims it does (browsing only with less than 50% brightness)  I have tried everything in the book such as refreshing and uninstalling apps. MS call center people have assured me that my device is not a faulty one adding that it has not been used for displaying or demo purposes. I am based in Iran where MS has no official store. Do you know of any specific update(s) that is most likely to address battery life issues? Thank you very much in advance for your time and effort. Amirbabak
  • Hi Amirbabak, can you monitor your task activity and look for cpu using apps? I found that google chrome was running on 20% cpu power  when i worked with more than about 10 tabs. IE with the same tabs opened was running on 1%. So i am changing to IE after 5 years working with chrome. So look at the cpu usage and then look further,+ nice greetings from austria Leo