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
    2020-05-29T22:04:47+00:00

    I am having the same problem. UEFI screen shows no flickering.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-12T12:45:00+00:00

    Believe it or not, but I had the same problem and I fixed it by changing the collor of the taskbar to "light". It is sad that I have to use it like this, but it is better than going back to the store and losing time trying to fix it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-15T21:53:14+00:00

    Hello,

    I entered the UEFI settings and the problem does not appear.

    However, in my opinion this is not indicative of a software issue, but indicative of a fact that the hardware does not work as intended when it tries to optimize power consumption. The problem seems to appear because one of the drivers (or the kernel itself, or even the firmware but unlikely) tries to conserve power when there is no activity on screen and lowers either some currents or some PWM refresh rates in an effort to lower power draw, which causes this issue. That's why the problem temporarily disappears while moving the mouse.

    An urgent update should disable this power management feature (even at the expense of battery life), because as I see it the flickering does no good to the screen and the flicker begins to extend slightly along the lower edge of the screen and this is not a good sign.

    I also suspect that many people do not notice the flicker because they use black as the taskbar color, which masks the issue (but it is still there if you look carefully).

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-28T10:40:48+00:00

    I am using Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 since December 2019 and started getting this Screen Flickering issue since June 24th, 2020. 

    It's annoying with thick vertical bar running across the screen right in the middle from top to bottom, very prominent. Please check this video. Tried all options suggested on this thread but no help.

    Have initiated the exchange.

    Regards,

    D

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