Hi Susan, thanks for sharing the details.
When a Surface Go 3 powers on and then shuts off after a couple of seconds, it usually points to either a firmware or hardware issue, often related to the power or display components.
Let’s start with a quick check: disconnect any accessories, then press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to fully reset the device. After that, try a two-button reset by holding the power button and volume-up button together for about 15 seconds, then release and wait 10 seconds before turning it back on.
If it still shuts off, can you confirm if you see the Surface logo before it powers down?
Also, have there been any recent updates or drops? This will help narrow down whether it’s a software glitch or a hardware fault.