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
    2018-11-30T00:55:01+00:00

    Same. The 4 has a systemic issue with external 4K displays.

    My 6 works flawlessly.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-01T14:00:36+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

    me too, I installed the new driver today. Then I turn my DELL P2415Q to 4K x 60hz. Unlucky, the flickering is still here. In order to solve this problem, i can only enable MST Primary to turn my monitor to 4K x 30hz. After that, the problem is solved. I think the driver will have some problem to support 4K x 60hz.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-01T16:35:01+00:00

    ena… good clarifying note.

    Firmware

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023482

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T14:00:39+00:00

    Running Windows 10 version 1803 with an Intel Iris Plus 640 and an i7 processor.  I still have the screen blackouts on my Philips BDM4065UC monitor that's plugged into my Surface dock.  I have noticed that two things seem to influence the frequency of the blackouts.

    1. Using Microsoft Edge browser.  If I run with Firefox all day, I don't have much for blackouts.  If I use Edge heavily, they occur all the time.  Sometimes just starting the browser will cause the monitor to flicker.
    2. High CPU - If my processor is running hard, I'll have more blackouts.  I'm not 100% sure yet, but that may be in conjunction with the GPU  usage as well.  I run with Task Manager all day, so I try to keep an eye on the charts when a blackout occurs.

    That being said, these two items can't be reproduced on demand.  I just know it increases frequency.  Leads me to believe this is definitely a driver issue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-06-27T06:19:16+00:00

    Hi there,

    Can you check if you have the same behaviour if the screen is connected directly on the Surface via the Mini Display Port ?

    I also noticed that it was happening more when the device has been used for a while. The tablet is usually quite hot.

    I spoke to the support team again last week and they adviced to do a full reset of the device to see if goes away. If not, the device will go back in warranty.

    Good luck,

    G.

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