Surface Pro 4 Bulging Battery / Screen. 3 1/2 years old.

Anonymous
2019-06-30T14:34:09+00:00

So, like many others on this forum, we have a Surface Pro 4, in which the battery has decided to self-destruct, destroying a £1,700 machine.

The screen hasn't popped off, but the battery has swollen enough to prevent the hinge from opening as it should and for the glass on the front to be very distorted, and it registers random screen input, all the while running hotter than the central heating.

I've spoken to support. They unhelpfully told me that because my warranty is up, I would have to pay several hundred pounds (£333) to replace the machine with a refurbished unit. To me, this is completely unacceptable. These devices are clearly flawed by design. This issue is too wide spread for it to be a coincidence. The batteries used in these devices are obviously flawed, and when I suggested as such, Sean L, the person dealing with my case, stopped responding (A few days after that, I wrote to Microsoft's twitter support who confirmed that the case had been closed. Thanks Sean L.)

If the device is dangerous (as suggested by the agent who I spoke to on the phone in the first instance) and it does catch fire while we are away this summer, and it subsequently burns down a multi-million pound Cambridge University building? What then, Microsoft? You'll wish you'd just replaced it then, won't you.

Surface | Surface Pro | Power and battery

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-23T00:50:11+00:00

    Seems like there's not much point for me to contact microsoft support.

    Same issue with my Surface Pro 4. Bought it in 2017 so can't use the 3 year replacement scheme. Battery has overheated and is bulging. Screen has deformed so much that my type cover doesn't close properly. Took it to the local computer repair store and the guy said it's a fire hazard.

    By all means take this up with Microsoft. They are passing this issue up as a customer missuse problem, whereas there have been a number of software updates which were meant to fix the problem of overcharging the battery, which simply did not work. Its a huge design flaw, which Microsoft need to be made accountable. Depending on where you live there may be an opportunity to join a class action against Microsoft peddling unsafe, and unfit for purpose computer equipment. They are currently selling units all across the surface range which may have the same design flaws, ie. unserviceable sealed lithium balleries which are not designed for desktop replacement, however these are being currently marketed by Microsoft for that very purpose. As these units are prone to this fault of overheating batteries, they should be banned by all major airlines as an item that is not fit to be used while travelling on airplanes, whether for business or for personal travel. There have benn many other large corporations that have acted ethically, and withdrawn or recalled their faulty products before someone gets hurt due to hightened risk of exploding battery. I can see the headlines now, when a planes flightplan has been compromised due to a battery incident while inflight. And still Microsoft think that they are above the law, in ignoring the cries for help from their loyal customer base.

    ******** DO NOT EVER BUY MICROSOFT HARDWARE AGAIN, EVER *******

    Spread the word....

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-23T00:11:02+00:00

    Seems like there's not much point for me to contact microsoft support.

    Same issue with my Surface Pro 4. Bought it in 2017 so can't use the 3 year replacement scheme. Battery has overheated and is bulging. Screen has deformed so much that my type cover doesn't close properly. Took it to the local computer repair store and the guy said it's a fire hazard.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-15T00:51:30+00:00

    Thanks mate, that's really good to know, yup its a joke that an upgrade isn't offered. That's what Mac and Dell do, charge you a wholesale price on a new unit, happy retained customer...and happy shareholders right...Bloody silly they don't do this...writing this while I wait for 45 minutes on hold for the guy in Malaysia to take my credit card number...What a joke.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-15T00:42:44+00:00

    Totally agree...that's a PRODUCT DEFECT right. Also yeah my MacBook Air 2012 is still fine. And zero option to upgrade out for a fee,  as  I 'm  told  Mac  and  Dell do  in  similar  circumstances,...its just insane Satya!

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-03-15T00:39:38+00:00

    Me too I convinced my sister and dad to purchase Surface products...never again! Playstation and Mac/Dell from this point forward. To  think  my  MacBook Air from  2012  still  works  fine. And chatting with a friend the other day, Max offered him a cheaper upgrade path to a new Mac...wow what an awesome idea take a customer who is pissed off and convert them back into a happy customer with your latest product...that's smart.

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