Surface Pro 4 - External screen keeps turning on/off (black flickering)

Anonymous
2017-06-13T21:32:22+00:00

Hi there,

I just made a video of my recent problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phi\_Yru77aM

You can see that when I'm using the built-in screen of my SP4 (i7, 16GB, 512GB) and only one 4K external screen (both at 60hz), this monitor keeps turning black on a random basis. All my drivers and firmware are up to date (Surface Dock and Surface). I even tried the last Intel Iris 540, same results. I tried another MDP to DP cable, same results. I tried another screen, same results. I tried different refresh rates, same results.

I bought this screen a month ago and I was working fine at the beginning. I strongly suspect an update or the fact that I tried to connect two 4K monitors at 60hz (and I would have damaged something in the process?).

If I deactivate the built-in screen, the problem goes away (something that I just found tonight).

Should I send the device in warranty or just wait for a software fix? The 4K experience is not there yet, I'm a bit disappointed I have to say.

Cheers,

D.

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-09-27T17:36:37+00:00

    I have a Surface 4 with Iris Graphics 540. I have been sufering for months with this annoying behaviour of 2nd 4k monitor going black randomly. I have tried everything (including Microsoft support) with no lucky.

    Now.... finaly today it seems I have a solution:

    I've set the monitor to DisplayPort 1.1 (it was set to 1.2 before).

    I've been working for about 3h using video and pushing the cpu without having the black screen!

    btw...driver version is: 21.20.16.4627

    I have not yet tried with the latest driver (24....)

    I'd recomment to give it a try an post your experience... hopefuly it will work for you too!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-10T12:53:32+00:00

    so i too was on Intel Iris Graphics 540 version 21.20.16.4627..... today it updated to 24.20.100.6136 but still no luck

    About a month ago, my Surface pro was updated with a firmware and new graphics drivers.  I have Iris Plus 640 with version 24.20.100.6136 (which coincidentally is the same version as your 540 chip) and the blank outs have been resolved.  I never have them anymore.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-31T08:47:20+00:00

    Hi Joanne,

    Good to know that it works for you but it won't solve our problems with 4K screens (4K signal cannot work properly on a VGA due to its analogic nature). I'm still waiting for Microsoft to help us with a "real" solution for HDMI/DP setup...

    Knowing that it was working in the past (like 2 years ago), it has to be driver related! 16 pages of comments, testimonials and the saga continues.

    G.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-07-31T08:31:33+00:00

    I've had this problem with a work computer for a couple of months.  Tech guys checked drivers and all where up to date, still had the problem.  I am connecting a Surface Pro 4 to an EliteDisplay E232.  The guys solved the problem by changing the way the pro connected to the Surface Dock.  Originally they where connecting the Pro with a DP cable.  They changed this by using a VGA cable from the screen to VGA/DP converter, the DP end then to the Surface Dock.  Since the change I have not had one problem with the Surface Pro connecting to the screen.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-07-28T05:05:53+00:00

    so i too was on Intel Iris Graphics 540 version 21.20.16.4627..... today it updated to 24.20.100.6136 but still no luck

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