Surface Pro brightness bug

Anonymous
2013-02-19T02:05:17+00:00

The surface pro randomly brightens and dims even when auto brightness and dimming is completely shut off.  I contactedMicrosoft chat support and they said they are aware of the issue but its taking longer than expected.  I just wanted to post here to create more visibility and awareness of this annoying bug.  I hope it gets fixed soon.   Its most noticeable when an app launches or while beginning to watch a video.  From what I've heard it happens with RT too.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-03-15T17:19:47+00:00

Great news folks! I was able to fix this issue!!!!! :-D

So the issue appears to be the Intel HD 4000 implementing 2 forms of battery saving contrast adapting. But we have no ability to change these settings by default.

So first of all make sure your dynamic brightness is turned off in your PC Settings and/or battery plan. Then...

Go Intel's site and download and then install the latest driver for the Intel HD Graphics 4000.

I believe this is the correct link -

EDIT: Oops my link was for the 32 bit driver. This is the one you need -

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail\_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=22375&lang=eng&wapkw=intel%C2%AE+hd+graphics+driver+for+windows+7\*+and+windows+8\*+%28exe%29

This should give you access to the Intel Graphics and Media Control panel when you right click and select Graphics Properties from the desktop.

Select ADVANCED MODE

GOTO > MEDIA > IMAGE ENHANCEMENT and disable "Adaptive Contrast Enhancement"

Then GOTO > POWER > Change POWER SOURCE to "On Battery" and make sure "Display Power Saving Technology" is disabled (that is unchecked).

Click APPLY and viola no more dynamic contrast annoyances!

YAY!

Was this answer helpful?

7 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-03-09T20:02:42+00:00

Greetings Gary,

Thank you for letting us know. Can you by chance get a video of it happening as this is something we are looking into.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments

119 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-28T03:15:38+00:00

    The service is found in the list of services. Search for services.msc from the Charms menu.

    You would be the first to report crashes from installing those drivers. You could have easily used system restore instead.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-05T00:01:25+00:00

    Greetings Prose16343,

    We were hoping you could create another video of the brightness issue. Would it be possible to do this outside of the Xbox Video app, in something like Internet Explorer, or another app?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-06T02:25:39+00:00

    Greetings Prose16343,

    We were hoping you could create another video of the brightness issue. Would it be possible to do this outside of the Xbox Video app, in something like Internet Explorer, or another app?

    Unfortunately i didn't make the original video someone else did, my iphone can't seem to capture the screen well enough with enough light to show the problem.

    This happens the most when an app just launches.  And it happens with video.  It might take a while to present itself, just keep using your surface on battery and surely you'll see it.  Its subtle but definately there.

    It's hitting the news sites now, lots of people seem to have it, im guessing not everyone knows that they have it

    http://www.windows8update.com/2013/02/27/surface-pro-hit-by-new-brightness-bug/

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments