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. Barb Bowman 80,805 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-02-25T15:48:12+00:00

    which exact monitor and what refresh rate? what cable exactly? I can try to pass

    along to an internal contact.

    >The Surface Pro does not support 4K displays.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T15:53:04+00:00

    I've tried LG, Samsung, Dell - all 4K. Refresh rates don't matter. 30Hz, 59Hz, 60Hz, all exhibit the same issue.  Having said that, I've personally noticed it's less severe with 30Hz, but it still happens, and 30Hz is unusable. Moving windows, the mouse, etc., is very jittery at 30Hz.

    Sample monitors (even MSFT "supported" ones) I've tried:

    Samsung U28E590D 28-Inch UHD LED-Lit Monitor

    LG 27UD68-W 27-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor with FreeSync (2017)

    Samsung UH750 31.5" Screen LED-lit Monitor (LU32H750UMNXZA)

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T16:04:16+00:00

    I have a Philips BDM4037UW 4K monitor.

    I have changed my cable to the best quality one I could find online; it gave no improvement at all.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T16:08:55+00:00

    It won't the conclusion on this thread is that the Surface Pro is flawed when it comes to 4K displays.

    • Different cables make no difference.
    • Active vs. passive cables make no difference.
    • Different displays make no difference.
    • Fresh installs, generic drivers, different drivers, make no difference.
    • Dock vs. no-dock, makes no difference.
    • Hours on the phone with MSFT trying everything they can think of, makes no difference.

    I've tried every permutation over the last few months - nothing works.

    Like others on this thread, we've given up and gone with a Surface Book 2 which works great.

    Hopefully MSFT will fix this in an upcoming version.

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  5. Barb Bowman 80,805 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-02-25T16:09:25+00:00
    1. are you using a dock or not and if yes, same issue without the dock?
    2. what exact cable (URL please)

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