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
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
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

119 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-04-26T06:40:15+00:00

    Super annoying.  I thought it was from a power surge at first.  Been seeing it too often.  I notice it at random times...not just when an app is opening up.  Thanks for putting this up for us to be aware of the real problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-04T16:41:22+00:00

    there isn't a specific good driver, just uninstall the one that comes from windows update, and install the newest from intel's site that has the control panel, if windows overwrites it just roll back to "the previous"  i used the do not update this driver tool from windows, it worked for a while then i think a larger system update overwrote it, it can be a pain sometimes but thats the work around.  Sadly for RT owners, there is no work around.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments