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I have the same problem as many other Microsoft users (summarized below)
What is Microsoft's solution to resolve the Surface Pro 4 flickering screen?
ISSUE
Due to the pandemic, I now need to work remotely and use this Surface for 8 or more hours each day. The first full day was a surprise when my screen started flickering. I see that Microsoft knew about this issue and arranged to extend the warranty to 3 years. Unfortunately, my Surface Pro 4 is just past the 3 years. I feel that since my Surface was registered when I bought it that Microsoft should have notified me that my Surface was in the batch of known hardware defects. Had I known about this issue, I would have taken care of this issue immediately. Instead, I was left to discover this on my own over time. Now, Microsoft support has offered to replace my Surface with a used certified Surface for an additional $599.99 with only a 90 day warranty. I don't really want to spend an additional $599.99 but I will if I have to so I can continue to get some work done. I have 2 issues with this, one is that Microsoft had my contact information from my registered device and never contacted me to say I had this known hardware issue and second is that after I spend $599.99 I will get a used device with only a 90 warranty.
1) What is Microsoft's resolution to this?
2) How do we implement the solution during the COVID-19 crisis?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
The only person I know who has a surface pro 4 (got it from his company he works for) just sent me a video of his surface doing the same flickering it was doing to my surface pro 4. He has a different processor and ram for his and has the same issue. Seems like all surface pro 4’s are bound to fail at some point. Definitely not 1% of users are affected as microsoft claims. Seems like a pandemic.
I just had to do the same, spend $900 canadian dollars to get a replacement pro 5, they force you to do it, even when it is there mistake. Basically they are adult sized bullies. But it will catch up to them, if it is 1% affected like they say which I believe is a lie to cover downplay their problem. That 1% will not buy anymore future microsoft computers and they will encourage others to do the same, just like this pandemic that news will spread and compound and everyone will switching from microsoft to Apple products. Just wait for it, it wont take long. What defines a company is not what they do when things are going good but what they do when things go wrong.
I think it is definitely not fair, 3 years is just a random number, as I used for 3 and half year, the issue came out. But when you spent 1000+ pounds for this device, you are expecting to use for 5+ year right? I think it is worth to raise it, as if it is faulty design, MS should provide at least longer period of warranty. Below is my email to customer service, but seems they are not really helpful
I started to use my surface pro 4 like one year ago, and use it as my daily PC, it was going fine until recently I started feeling the screen kept shaking and became blurry. I checked online about this issue, and tried several ways to fix it, updating the software, update the drivers etc.. And I called the customer service regarding this, and under the construction identify the issue is about hardware (I see shaking under UEFI mode). I also found out that this issue is a common faulty issue for surface pro 4 buyers, and it was claimed that only 1% of the user got affected. I guess I was one of the unlucky ones.
Under the instruction, I called the customer service once more to request a repair or replacement, I was told that the device was purchased more than 3 years ago and they will not support the replacement anymore, and also they will not offer a repair service either, only solution is I need to spend another ~600 Pounds to replace with a Surface Pro 5 (which you can actually buy a new one from amazon or ebay), where the latest Surface Pro is X already.
I am really disappointed regarding the solution that Microsoft provided, it left me no choice but spending another 600 pounds to buy an outdated product. I spent more than 1000 pounds to buy the Surface Pro 4 with the highest spect at that time, and I was not expecting to use it for only 3 years. I had my third generation of IPAD and Dell laptop purchased more than 4 years ago and functioning super well, and I am still receiving active support from them. This is issue to me is surely a hardware faulty, and it is full responsibility to Microsoft that recall this product and replace a new device with same spec for absolutely free, or at least provide very basic service like repair.
I am sending the email here seeking for a solution, and will escalate further if necessary.
I'm having same problem...again. This time I keep getting an unknown window flashing on my screen reportedly and it started Thursday or Friday (~ 4/3/20). Tried the troubleshooting, update, new drivers, uninstall, reinstall...still happens.
I say AGAIN b/c last July I had the "known issue " of garbking across the bottom of my SP4 at 2.5 yrs and I use this machine every day, all day for my work (at home). After a few hours on phone, they finally agreed to let me go to Microsoft store in my area & trade it in for a new one.
Had to get special permission & explain again at store but in end they gave me a "new" one or so I thought. They said they didn't have an SP4 so have me the upgraded 6 with same "guts". Since this new occurrence, in looking at the Version, it says SP4!!!
Why would they give me same thing? Nine years months later...same thing. Pandemic has store closed and now will fight on phone to get a new one. Again.
WAY WAY too expensive for this to happen. And I LOVE my Surface Pro. Their problem has become MY problem twice.
Not happy. Good luck to us all.
I have the same issue, and it started a few days after March 14. Before that, I never had the issue. Now it comes and goes. I've been doing almost the same workload as before. Seems significant that many are reporting the problem starting right around the same time.
