Surface Book 2: External Monitor Flickering

I have had this problem more than one time.  The first time I thought I solved the problem by installing an upgraded monitor.  But the second time, I was not permitted to install the Intel drivers.

After major messing around with fully reinstalling windows, cleaning USB-C ports etc,  I found the issue. 

I noticed that attempts to charge my mobile phone via the USB-C port would initiate then stop within 30 seconds.  (same behaviour of the monitor).  So I started looking into the USB-C setup.

If you go to Settings >> Devices >> Bluetooth and other devices.    you will see Mouse, keyboard & Pen.  Under this it lists the Surface Keyboard.  In my case It reported that there was a fault with the keyboard  (noting that the keyboard was working perfectly).  

I disconnected the Surface Book 2 Screen.  Checked the cleanliness of the terminals and replaced the monitor:  Problem solved.

Not sure if this will help everyone, but it is a very simple solution, so definately worth checking early in the process.

Hi there

I have the exact same issue.

Screens is flicking when using external screens - connected via dock as well as connected directly to the book via miniDP.

I have tried: 

Reinstall windows 10

Other monitors - Philips, Dell, ASUS, HP monitors.

New cables

Other adapters (miniDP to DP)

New firmware

New drivers

Talked to Microsoft support witch agreed to exchange the product, but after 3 week I got the same book back with the note that they have found a scratch, so they would not do the exchange anyway. (this problem has existed always, from the product was brand new, so it have nothing to do with that scratch) 

PLEASE help, this is annoying as hell. 

Kind regards 

Christian - the frustrated IT guy

Not sure if this will be helpful, but I was able to fix this problem by correcting the refresh rate of my secondary monitor. It seems that Window 10 selected the wrong refresh rate. Once on the supported refresh rate of my monitor, the flicker went away.

Hope this works for others.

I have been struggling with this exact same problem ever since I took my Surface Book 2 out of the box, approximately six months ago. Today, the problem has been solved.

I had tried two different HDMI cables (one with an HDMI to USB C adapter, and another that didn't need the adapter), and had the same problem. I tried hooking my laptop up to two different monitors and two different HDMI TVs and had the same problem. I spent HOURS on the phone with Microsoft support, all for naught. Then, I took a four-hour round trip to the Microsoft store in San Diego; there, we were unable to replicate the problem. I was frustrated beyond belief.

Once back home, I started wondering what was different at the Microsoft store as opposed to home (other than being a different monitor, and I knew that wasn't it), so it had to be the cable since I had not taken either of my cables with me. I went to Staples.com and ordered this cable: https://www.staples.com/StarTech-com-USB-C-to-HDMI-Male-Male-Adapter-Cable-1-m-Black-CDP2HDMM1MB/product_IM17M4376. It worked! No more flickering! 

It seems that the two cables I was using before were both 6' long, and the new cable is 3' long. Apparently, past 3', the signal gets lost on the way to the monitor. Of course, the Surface Book 2 *should* be able to drive a 6' cable, but I'm not going to complain, now that everything seems to be working as it should. The 3' cable is barely long enough to go between the monitor and my laptop, so this may not be an option for everyone, but if you can bring the monitor and laptop closer together, this may be the fix you've been looking for. Good luck!!

This is actually a common problem with USB-C. It's not just the Surface Book. If you search online you will find the same problem in the forums of all the PC manufactures. USB-C is just a ****technology.

I would suggest that you use a Surface Dock with a surface active mini display port to HDMI adapter for each monitor you use. If you are only using one monitor and it has a display port connection you can also use a mini display port to display port cable.

You can also read my previous posts regarding external monitors with the Surface Book.