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
    2018-02-25T16:36:43+00:00

    I did... No luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T16:31:46+00:00

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

    Looks like for best results you should be testing that one with its Picture in Picture/Picture by Picture (PIP/PBP) feature OFF.

    User Manual Download

    https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/uhd-and-wqhd/32-uh750-qled-uhd-monitor-lu32h750umnxza/#support

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T16:13:39+00:00

    See my other posts re: the dock (bottom line, doesn't make a difference).

    Re: the cables, I've tried dozens - some that came with the displays and others I've bought based on recommendations - nothing worked.

    For example:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FM50QJC/ref=oh\_aui\_search\_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/surface-usb-c-to-hdmi-adapter/94CHB2M80S54/4GJ5?OCID=AID620866\_SEM\_WorycgAAAMzHI25R:20180225161221:s&cl\_vend=google&cl\_ch=shopping&cl\_camp=831087486&cl\_adg=46891688340&cl\_crtv=219754322832&cl\_kw=&cl\_pub=google.com&cl\_place=&cl\_dvt=c&cl\_dvm=&cl\_pos=1o1&cl\_mt=&cl\_gtid=aud-294736332466:pla-304125329945&cla\_pla=94CHB2M80S54-4GJ5&cl\_tac=pla&cl\_dim0=WorycgAAAMzHI25R:20180225161221:s&invsrc=search&s\_kwcid=AL!4249!3!219754322832!!!g!304125329945!&ef\_id=WorycgAAAMzHI25R:20180225161221:s

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  4. 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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  5. 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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