Surface Laptop 3 screen flickering issue - I had this with the Surface Pro 4 too

Anonymous
2020-04-11T01:56:49+00:00

Hello everyone,

I just noticed a problem with my two-month old Surface Laptop 3 (i7/16/256): there is screen flickering in the lower left corner of the screen. The flicker disappears when I move the mouse or play a video. I immediately panicked since I had a similar issue with my previous Surface Pro 4 and it turns out it was a hardware issue. The biggest issue is that on the Surface Pro 4 it has gotten worse over time.

Returning at this time is out of question for me, I need it for work.

Anyone else has this issue ? I'm not expecting an easy fix but who knows. 

PS: Below is a video with the issue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE4oI9wfAk

Thanks !

Surface | Surface Laptop | Display and screen

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Anonymous
2020-06-15T22:17:27+00:00

Ok everyone, I have great news !  (edit: not so great)

I managed to fix the issue (edit: nope).

Just as I suspected, it is indeed a power management issue where the panel tries to optimize power consumption by utilizing a technology called "panel self-refresh" which basically allows the screen electronics to refresh its current image independent of the graphics card if nothing has changed on the screen. You must disable that.

Here are the steps:

  • Open Microsoft Store, then search for and install "Intel® Graphics Command Center".
  • Open the app, go the "System" vertical tab, then go the "Power" horizontal tab
  • Disable the "Panel Self-Refresh" option on both "On Battery" and "Plugged In" modes.

The problem should instantly disappear, even before you leave the app.

EDIT: Unfortunately, the problem will only lessen in frequency, but will not disappear completely. But I will leave this post here, maybe it helps in some cases.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-08-17T12:16:26+00:00

    I still believe this is a software issue. This is absent in UEFI and any other software or app!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-17T09:55:17+00:00

    Unfortunately you are right. Today I have noticed the issue again :(

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-08-16T14:00:19+00:00

    Unfortunately I cannot second your experience.

    I did update to 2004, but the flicker stays as it is.  Even I was hopeful with the 2004 update but now I am out of options.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-08-16T02:21:08+00:00

    Hello everyone,

    I'm happy to report that after installing the Windows 2004 feature update, the problem I have originally reported is fixed. I have restarted several times, etc. but it isn't a fluke, it's just completely fixed, there is no flicker at all in the lower left corner.

    Today was the first day the update was unlocked in my Windows Update settings, so I immediately installed it.

    What's interesting is that the display driver version is still the same (from 12/21/2019) and I didn't notice a firmware update during this update (a firmware update is easily visible, you get a progress bar right after restart and before Windows starts).

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