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
    2018-05-16T01:54:49+00:00

    I’ve been working the case with Microsoft and the update from 1707 to 1709 and then to 1803 has had very positive results. I’ll have more time to verify things later this week, but it certainly seems like it maybe fixed. I’m in Texas and it hit 98°f today.

    I’ll keep you posted.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-18T17:52:15+00:00

    Windows 10 Version 1803 resolves this problem for me. I've been running full screen 4K web meetings without a single screen blackout. I plugged the Mini-Display Port back into the dock vs the surface and it also works. 

    Perhaps someone could also verify and mark this as resolved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-19T12:22:29+00:00

    Windows 10 Version 1803 resolves this problem for me. I've been running full screen 4K web meetings without a single screen blackout. I plugged the Mini-Display Port back into the dock vs the surface and it also works. 

    Perhaps someone could also verify and mark this as resolved.

    I am still getting flickering on the external monitor with version 1803.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-19T12:34:38+00:00

    Windows 10 Version 1803 resolves this problem for me. I've been running full screen 4K web meetings without a single screen blackout. I plugged the Mini-Display Port back into the dock vs the surface and it also works. 

    Perhaps someone could also verify and mark this as resolved.

    I am still getting flickering on the external monitor with version 1803.

    Is your symptom exactly as shown in the youtube video on post number 1. My understanding flickering is a different issue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-05-19T14:21:38+00:00

    No it is not solved.

    I experience the exact same HUGE WORSENING as kenyonb after the April 1803 update. The turning off/on problem has gone ballistic after the update, and it is now absolutely impossible for me to use both screens.

    So I agree that everything points to a software problem.

    I also think that some of the newcomers in this trend might have another flickering problem.

    This tread is about a secondary 4K monitor occasionally turning off/on. The problem only exists on Surface Pro 4's with i7 processors.

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