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
    2018-01-17T20:16:57+00:00

    I was wrong... the flickering returned.

    Events log showing lots of Surface Tcon device errors.

    Microsoft PLEASE respond!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-17T18:14:55+00:00

    I just received a notification about the latest (December) Intel driver. I installed it, but it made no difference at all.

    I’m going to have to take legal action now. I’ve had this issue for a year, with no resolution.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-17T18:10:54+00:00

    This has worked for me, but I have installed the latest intel driver which was only released in december.

    I know have no monitor flicker, and i have no problems connecting to my samsung TV either.

    only remaining problem I have is using the mini-dock, getting the monitor to 'shake hands', once it works its stable.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-15T19:43:39+00:00

    I have the exact same issue and I've just been deactivating my built-in screen as a workaround as well. Only thing I haven't tested is rolling back the Intel driver, I was just going to wait for a new update, but I assume it is something to do with that, since my friend has the same UHD monitor and the same surface 4, except his has dedicated graphics, and he has no issues.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-01-14T19:02:33+00:00

     flaw with the Surface Pro

    Since I am now seeing the same symptom with the latest Intel Graphics driver that is supposedly compatible with my processor and never saw it before this I am more inclined to assert that there is probably something wrong with that; so perhaps the problem in your case could be that Microsoft have tried letting you keep up with Intel when it would be better to have held you back at a more stable version.  However, as I indicated I have more cases to test with Intel's drivers (especially Audio and Wireless), so I am only noting my observations and not yet drawing any conclusions from them.  It got so bad, even with Second Screen Only that I had to switch to my MWDA which thankfully is no longer glitching.  What surprises me is that it looks like a crash but there is no indication of one.  I suppose I need to find an Event log to activate to get more specific clues about what might be happening.  My charger is active so it should not be some kind of erroneous power saving effect but I will have to check on that possibility too.

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