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
    2013-02-19T03:30:45+00:00

    I had this issue at one point. Here is what I did:

    1. Turn off the Auto brightness feature in PC Settings under General
    2. Set my brightness/screen to its lowest setting from the Charms menu->Settings
    3. Shutdown
    4. Turned it back on
    5. Set my brightness/screen to its highest level from the same place
    6. Shutdown
    7. Turned it back on

    It did not happen thereafter. Let me know if this works for you or there is no difference.

    No real difference for me .  maybe its better for a little bit then it does it again.  I really hope they are working on this.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-19T03:39:33+00:00

    What if you substitute setting the brightness to its lowest using the Power Options control panel applet (powercfg.cpl) instead? Any difference?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-02-19T04:08:14+00:00

    I've tried that too, turning off  or to 0 any auto or dimming setting.  sometimes its very subtle, but very easy to notice if you are watching a video in any app, but also happens on the start menu or in other apps,  video just seems to happen the most

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