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

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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!

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-13T15:54:20+00:00

    This issue occurred for me yesterday after a factory reset, which had not been done since the release day. Here is how I fixed it:

    1. Open Device Manager
    2. Expand Sensors
    3. Right click HID Sensor Collection and choose Uninstall and press OK when prompted
    4. Reboot. The HID Sensor Collection re-installs upon reboot
    5. Does the dimming issue still occur?

    It did not for me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-15T17:29:45+00:00

    I have used this method to permanently fix this very annoying issue on two Surface Pro systems. Be meaning to post about it for several weeks! Feel bad I had not shared this fix sooner for those suffering.

    As long as you have all 3 methods of adaptive brightness turned off, I do not think anyone will have this issue anymore.

    Issue is with Intel's horrible implementation of adaptive contrast that is buried in the settings and worse not even available without installing the full driver from Intel. All to save what is possibly seconds of battery life!

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