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
    2018-10-23T11:13:50+00:00

    Not to burst all your bubbles but work just issued me with a Surface Book 2, and I am getting this issue. It's the 13.5" with Intel Graphics 620, and it's connected to the external monitor (Samsung LU28E570DS) via USB-C --> HDMI. I'm limited to 30Hz because of the limitations of Samsung's HDMI ports; and the external monitor randomly blacks for 3 seconds and then comes back.

    At its worst, it's 5-6 times per hour; at best once every 2 hours.

    A side note: I cannot use the Surface Dock to connect to HDMI (via Mini-DP --> HDMI cable) because then I'm limited to 1080p which on the 4k monitor looks dreadful. I have updated the Dock to the latest firmware. I'm waiting for delivery (today) of a Mini-DP to DP cable to try using the Dock to connect to my monitor... but TBH I'm not holding out much hope...?

    Cheers

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-27T21:25:08+00:00

    You are right !!!

    just checked and I am also limited to the 30Hz (as mentioned in the wiki).

    So, no solution yet! :-(

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-27T20:57:20+00:00

    Hey mate,

    I just tried your trick but unfortunately, the refresh rate has dropped to 30hz and you cannot select 60hz again. This is why the black flickering is gone (bandwidth isn't saturated anymore).

    I found the details of DisplayPort resolutions explained here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#Resolution\_and\_refresh\_frequency\_limits

    Still no luck and it has been more than a year :-(

    G.

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  4. 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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  5. 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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