In this work, we demonstrate Ag + surface doping chemo-mechanically impacts Li intrusion, without contributions from metallic Ag. We surface dope LLZO by thermally annealing a 3-nm metallic Ag thin film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling confirms the incorporation of oxidized Ag + ; nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) depth profiling shows that Ag + diffuses into the subsurface of LLZO by 20-50 nm. Using operando microprobe SEM, we carry out 121 local Li electroplating experiments across various locations and sample batches. Ag + surface-doped LLZO (Ag + -LLZO) demonstrates enhanced stability during Li electroplating at local current density over 250 mA/cm 2 even when damaged mechanically by an exceptionally high local stress of 3 GPa (applied via the microprobe). Specifically, we observe a 40% increase in mean local critical current density and an expansion of the mean electroplating diameter at failure by over four times compared to uncoated LLZO.