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
    2017-11-23T16:00:56+00:00

    I have this screen problem too on my Surface Pro4.    I recently updated to OS 1709 build 16299.64    If any the problem is worse

    If this is a software issue, then please can Microsoft sort it out ASAP.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-24T06:54:50+00:00

    Would it be okay if you will provide us more details on what's happening on your screen after the Fall Creators Update?

    We will be waiting for your update.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-24T07:53:51+00:00

    I updated about two weeks ago.  The screen problem started a week later.   I have all sorts of problems.  F0r a while all works fine and then the screen can have double image with overlay of windows that are fixed and will not go away.  Sometimes the screen flickers a lot.  Sometimes the screen has streaks on it 

    I thought the problem might be worse when the charger was attached, but I am not sure.

    When I use the Pro with the hub and an second screen, the second screen works fine

    Yesterday, with the second screen attached I removed the surface display from device manager and then restarted.   At the moment all is well, but its only been a couple of hours

    I have an i7 processor with 16Mb RAM and 1Tb disc.

    On other threads I have seen that this is a hardware issue, and rolling back updates makes no difference so I have not (yet) uninstalled the latest update

    Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-24T22:31:01+00:00

    Same here! I was so optimistic until I noticed the screen actually shaking, and then realised that now, if its left on throughout the day, its more likely to do this. I should be able to keep my computer on hibernate in my backpack while at university! I'm going to bring it to a third party specialist to get another opinion and make sure its a hardware issue in the few weeks while I am visiting America, as Microsoft has yet to take any responsibility/steps towards fixing the problem.

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