Help :( My surface pro 4 has horizontal lines across the screen!

Anonymous
2017-01-14T10:53:30+00:00

Hello. I'm having a problem with my Surface pro 4 lately.

my surface display screen has a horizontal line across the top of the screen when I use my Surface for a while (around 10-20 minutes without light usage like web browsing but 1-5 minutes for heavy usage like rendering or gaming) also the lines will keep appears more and more the longer I use it.

as you can see at the first and second picture, you can see multiple line across the top of my screen already. and when the screen has around 6-7 lines then the screen came to this.

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/35c1c9e4-e66b-40e9-bc4a-c3bf72fdfc3b?platform=QnA)The whole screen has lines all over it and is has some desync display like this all the time. :(

seems like the more heat it has the more of this symptom appears. the only way I can fix it that I know right now is 1) turn of the device for a while then turn it on again 2) put it in a cool place like a fridge for a minute to cool down.

does anyone has this kind of problem like I have right now? also does anyone knows what causes it? and how to fix it?

Ive been into this problem for many months now and this surface pro 4 is my 4th (refurbish) replacement already. I wasted 7-20 days on waiting for each replacement and it ruined lots of my work schedule and my income which is terrible! Id love to sell it away just to buy other brand instead of struggling with this :(

and sorry for my English which isn't so good but I hope anyone will be able to give me an opinion or answer soon

thank you.

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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Anonymous
2017-09-11T01:02:12+00:00

Solution: External cooling.

I was having the same issue, but today found the source. It seems the issue is either the internal cooling system is underperforming or the on-board graphics controller has gained increased sensitivity to heat.

For the first year of using my SP4, I had no such issue. I constantly monitor internal temperature and have never run hotter than mid-60s. Recently however after using my device for an extended period unplugged or a shorter amount of time while plugged in, the lines and screen desync occur.

I tested the heat damage idea by using my SP4 while plugged in for half of the day today. I watched videos, used the pen, and had multiple programs running with no screen issues. The key here is that I set up a desk fan to blow cold air onto the SP4.

So to prevent the lines and display desync, you need some kind of fan or external cooling for your SP4. I'd say start with a small/cheap USB fan, and if that isn't powerful enough move to something bigger. Be sure the fan is aimed at the top left corner of the back because that's where most of the heat localizes.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-15T21:27:59+00:00

    Actually today the issue seemed to have gone away. I uninstalled the last updates and will try to reinstall them to see if thats the issue later today.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-15T21:23:38+00:00

    Hello,

    We want this issue to get resolved. Restart your device and check if the same issue still persist. If same issue, Reset your Surface Pro 4 by following this article.

    Regards.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-15T07:17:45+00:00

    I have the exact same issue. Did you find the cause/a fix? With all these surface pro problems, I feel like never buying Microsoft designed hardware again.

    I haven't found the solution yet :( I have this kind exact same of problem with my previous surface pro 4 too which is a only month long usage and this one is even less than a month usage :C its so awful

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-15T01:46:05+00:00

    I have the exact same issue. Did you find the cause/a fix? With all these surface pro problems, I feel like never buying Microsoft designed hardware again.

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    7 people found this answer helpful.
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