How Can I Force the Screen of My Surface Tablet ON Using PowerShell?

Are you tired of constantly tapping the power button on your Surface Tablet, only to be met with darkness? Do you want to harness the power of PowerShell to awaken your screen from its slumber? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to force your Surface Tablet’s screen to turn on using PowerShell.

Why Would I Want to Do This?

There are several scenarios where forcing your Surface Tablet’s screen to turn on using PowerShell can be useful:

• Remote troubleshooting**: If you’re remotely connected to your Surface Tablet and need to troubleshoot an issue that requires the screen to be on, PowerShell can be your best friend.
• Automation scripts**: You can use PowerShell to create automation scripts that require the screen to be on, such as taking screenshots or running diagnostic tests.
• Accessibility**: For users with disabilities, being able to control their device’s screen using PowerShell can be a game-changer.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:

• A Surface Tablet running Windows 10 or later
• PowerShell 5.0 or later installed on your Surface Tablet
• A basic understanding of PowerShell commands and syntax

Method 1: Using the _WAKE Command

The first method involves using the __WAKE command, which is part of the Windows DevCon utility. This command sends a wake signal to the device, effectively turning on the screen.

devcon _wake 

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator on your Surface Tablet.
2. Type the following command to list all devices on your system:

         
           devcon findall *
         
       

3. Identify the device name of your Surface Tablet’s screen (it should be something like “SurfaceScreen” or “DisplayPort”).
4. Use the following command to wake the screen:

         
           devcon _wake 
         
       

   Replace with the actual device name you found in step 3.

Method 2: Using the SendKeys Function

The second method involves using the SendKeys function, which simulates keyboard input to wake the screen.

Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
[System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]::SendWait('{PWR}')

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator on your Surface Tablet.
2. Type the following command to add the necessary assembly:

         
           Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
         
       

3. Type the following command to simulate the power button press:

         
           [System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]::SendWait('{PWR}')
         
       

   This will send the power button press event to the system, waking the screen.

Method 3: Using the windows.management.core Module

The third method involves using the windows.management.core module, which provides a way to manipulate power settings.

Import-Module windows.management.core
$powerManagement = Get-WindowsPowerManagement
$powerManagement.RequestWakeUp()

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator on your Surface Tablet.
2. Type the following command to import the necessary module:

         
           Import-Module windows.management.core
         
       

3. Type the following command to get the power management object:

         
           $powerManagement = Get-WindowsPowerManagement
         
       

4. Type the following command to request a wake-up event:

         
           $powerManagement.RequestWakeUp()
         
       

   This will send a wake-up request to the system, turning on the screen.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter and their solutions:

Error Message	Solution
Access denied when running PowerShell commands	Run PowerShell as an administrator
Device not found when using the _wake command	Verify the device name and try using a different device name or the findall * command
Screen doesn’t turn on when using the SendKeys function	Verify that the power button is set to turn on the screen in the Windows Settings app
Module not found when using the windows.management.core module	Verify that the module is installed and imported correctly

Conclusion

There you have it! With these three methods, you should be able to force your Surface Tablet’s screen to turn on using PowerShell. Remember to choose the method that best fits your needs and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Happy scripting!

Keep in mind that these methods might not work on all Surface Tablet models or Windows versions. Be sure to test them on your specific device before using them in production.

Additional Resources

For more information on PowerShell and Windows scripting, check out the following resources:

• Microsoft PowerShell Documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/
• Windows DevCon Utility: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/devcon
• PowerShell Gallery: https://www.powershellgallery.com/

Frequently Asked Question

Get your Surface Tablet screen on in no time with these PowerShell hacks!