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
    2013-12-07T21:17:03+00:00

    I have not tried to utilize the fix you have found at this point.  What I'd like to know is what is the approximate ETA of an official fix from Microsoft?  This problem is the only thing I have encountered since my purchase and it is really ANNOYING!  I called MS Support about it and all they could tell me is that they are working on it.  Upon hearing this I asked just how long do I have from the date of my purchase to return the device.  They responded "30 days".  I have a surface pro 2 256GB ... I have 2 weeks left to return it because of this issue.  I am not willing to wait without some kind of MS guarantee that I will not be caught between the issue being repaired (if at all) and a return policy.

    I respectfully request a response.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-04T13:35:30+00:00

    The splashtop thing must be something else. The problem is fixed by turning off Intels display  power saving setting in the graphics card control panel thrat u can only get by downloading the drivers directly from Intel.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-04T11:58:23+00:00

    I uninstalled slpashotop, a software thag turns my ipad into a secondarynscreen and it solved the issue..

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