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
    2021-09-04T21:38:40+00:00

    Thank you all for the replies and support.

    I followed your suggestions and went on YouTube, picked one of the many videos on how to take apart the Surface Pro 4 to replace the battery.

    I used a hair dryer for the glue, and a lot of patience ! I did not break anything, and I just ordered a battery online and by next week I'll have my Surface Pro 4 back.

    It is a shame that the policy is that a perfectly functioning computer costing over 2 thousands euros has to be trashed because of a battery costing Microsoft a few dollars.

    Environment sustainability anyone? Let's start from making the batteries swappable, as in the past!

    Take care all, and thanks again.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-09-04T17:41:28+00:00

    Thanks, I might shop around for a better deal but then again, I'll likely keep stalling until it is in total self-destruct mode!

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-09-04T16:42:05+00:00

    I got a quote to replace battery for $250. But decided against it as so far it's still working and I only use it when I am watching it in case of fire.

    When it goes, I'll get another brand with all the benefits of the benefits of weight and size with a renewable EXTENDED warranty.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-09-04T15:41:58+00:00

    Seems Microsoft can no longer supply even a "refurbed" unit ( with no warranty, the unit would still have the same design fault and a charge of £350 UK )

    It is possible to replace the battery, provided you can get a 100% certified replacement, you will need tools\heat source to remove the display unit, youtube has videos on the process. It's not easy and there is a high probability\risk that it wont work successfully or the display/touch doesn't work, however I would like to know how you get on, should you go down this route, as my £1500 Pro 4 is just collecting dust!

    Good Luck

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-09-04T15:06:53+00:00

    Same situation here, as everybody. It's a Pro 4 with screen detached from the body of the Surface because of the expanded battery.

    I checked with Microsoft Support and it asked to provide photos proving that the Surface is effectively having an expanded battery.

    I provided the photos and the Support recognized it's a problem of the battery but refused to provide a substitutive model, even paying for it.

    He said the product is discontinued, thus Microsoft does not repair it nor substitute it, even paying for it.

    The only solution offered was to buy a new one. Is it normal? I mean, I paid over 2000 euros for this computer, and there is no way to repair it even though the problem is caused by a defect on the part of Microsoft?

    Thanks,

    Demon

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