Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 January 2016 firmware updates bring significant improvements

January 2016 firmware update for Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 addresses a number of issues, including audio, graphics, Wi-Fi, and more fixes.

Surface Pro 3 with pen and Type Cover

Microsoft is rolling out new firmware updates for its Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3. While both tablets are picking up significant improvements, Surface 3 is the one getting the most fixes. In the January firmware update, the software giant is addressing a number of issues regarding Wi-Fi connectivity, sound, and UEFI BIOS. Additionally, the company is also releasing various fixes for the LTE version of Surface 3.

For Surface Pro 3, the software giant is also rolling out some important improvements. In the January firmware update for the tablet, Microsoft is improving the Surface Fingerprint Sensor for better accuracy, wireless controller, there are updated graphics and audio drivers, and the firmware also adds pen support in the UEFI menu.

Below you can read what’s new for the January firmware update for Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3:

Surface 3

The January firmware will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 1/19/2016” when you view your update history in your Surface 3.

  • Surface System Aggregator Firmware update (v1.0.51500.0) improves reliability with the Surface 3 Type Cover.
  • Surface UEFI update (v1.51116.18.0) adds ability within Windows Power & sleep settings to turn off Wi-Fi during sleep. Improved touch support for UEFI menus and support for 3rd party onscreen keyboards improvements.
  • Microsoft Surface ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery driver update (v1.2.0.2) ensures correct surface driver is installed.
  • Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.9037.59) improves access point compatibility and throughput on 5GHz.
  • Surface Digitizer Integration driver update (v1.0.1.1) improves pen pairing feature with newest surface pen.
  • Surface Pen Pairing driver update (v1.0.1.1) improves pen pairing feature with newest surface pen.
  • Audio Device driver update (v604.10135.7777.2109) improves audio quality with some applications.
  • I2S Audio Codec driver update (v6.2.9600.527) improves audio quality with some applications.
  • Serial IO GPIO Controller driver update (v604.10146.2652.3930) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework Driver update (v604.10146.2651.1559) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Serial IO I2C ES Controller driver update (v604.10146.2654.3564) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Serial IO SPI Controller driver update (v604.10146.2657.947) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Serial IO UART Controller driver update (v604.10146.2653.391) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Sideband Fabric Device update (v604.10146.2655.573) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.
  • Trusted Execution Engine Interface driver update (v2.0.0.1067) improves system stability and touch screen reliability.

In addition to the updates list above, the following updates are available for Surface 3 (AT&T 4G LTE), Surface 3 (Verizon 4G LTE), Surface 3 (4G LTE) in North America (non-AT&T), Surface 3 (4G LTE) in Europe and Surface 3 (Y!mobile 4G LTE):

  • GNSS Bus Driver update (v20.23.8244.18) improves GPS experience.
  • GNSS 47531 Geolocation Sensor driver update (v20.23.8244.18) improves GPS experience.
  • Surface CoSAR driver update (v2.0.304.0) enhances the Wi-Fi connectivity reliability while mobile broadband is ON.

In addition to the updates list above, the following update is available for Surface 3 (Verizon 4G LTE):

  • Surface IA7260 Firmware Update (v1544.01.00.28) improves mobile broadband network stability.

Surface Pro 3

The January firmware will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 1/19/2016” and “Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) HD Graphics Family” when you view your update history in your Surface Pro 3.

  • Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware update (v38.9.50.0) improves system start-up reliability.
  • Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.1150.0) adds pen support in UEFI menus and improved support for 3rd party onscreen keyboards.
  • Surface Fingerprint Sensor driver update (v2.2.10.6) improves accuracy.
  • Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.9037.59) improves access point compatibility and throughput on 5GHz.
  • HD Graphics Family driver update 4331 (v20.19.15.4331) improves color calibration and system stability.
  • Display Audio driver update (v6.16.00.3189) supports compatibility with the updated HD Graphics Family driver.
  • Surface Cover Audio driver update (v2.0.1220.0) improves system stability.
  • Microsoft Surface ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery driver update (v1.2.0.2) ensures correct surface driver is installed.

The firmware for Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 are available immediately through Windows Update. The update will download and install automatically, but you can always go Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and tap the Check for updates button. 

Source Surface Update History

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.