Surface Pro 4 Screen Flickers

Anonymous
2020-03-29T23:39:47+00:00

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?

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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.

0 comments

122 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T23:25:53+00:00

    I have the same issue that started today. My kids were using the Surface for school. Unfortunately I opted out of picking up devices so others would have. Now I must scramble to get a device. I cant believe this is a known issue and has not been addressed with a solution that provides lasting results. These fancy tablets are not inexpensive.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T18:18:23+00:00

    what I can suggest is to reimage your Surface device using a USB recovery drive (if you haven't reset the device yet). Reimaging your Surface using a USB recovery drive is a complete form of reset and if the issue persists after the reset,

    once these start flickering, simply booting to the UEFI will most likely show

    the same flickering. waste of time to reimage.

    Barb,

    Thanks for your hopeful response.

    I'm not tech-savvy, so I'll attempt to re-image my Surface Pro 4 using a USB recovery with apprehension and caution. I am very happy with my Surface Pro and was very disappointed that I might have to replace it or face high cost repairs.

    I am hopeful this will work.

    OOOOPS!

    I just read: "https://www.most-useful.com/screen-flickering-on-surface-pro-4-solved/".

    It's not solved! 

    My Surface Pro is 3 years six months old. I expected  longer life. What can we do to to win Microsoft's support to fix their problem?

    --

    Cheers, Sam

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T21:23:36+00:00

    Don't waste your time following Microsoft's fixes, they are just a bandaid that doesn't do anything. Trust me I tried them all already. Microsoft needs to fix the hardware for a real fix and until they decide to admit that we are all in rough shape. All we can do is raise our voices.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T21:20:17+00:00

    I agree it is a waste of time to reimage. Its a hardware issue. and Microsoft knows that. Please see the following link that explains why it happens.

    https://www.most-useful.com/screen-flickering-on-surface-pro-4-solved/

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T21:17:02+00:00

    Hi Samuel,

    I have the same issue with my device. Paid a mint for it. When you aren't using it hard it will not flicker until it heats up, then it goes nuts. They will lose a lot of business as people are now using there devices during this pandemic. Microsoft knows about the defect that they manufactured but they wont provide a recall on their devices or provide warranty to ones who have the issue. They are only covering devices for their mistake for 3 years. If you notice it after they wont help you out, but make you pay for what should be their fix. I know its frustrating. On their support page they say that a very small amount of people are having the issue but that's not true its a pandemic that is known as "Flickergate". I have contacted Microsoft many times now and still they haven't provided real solutions to this issue, and don't want to admit to this problem, but eventually im sure they will do something, they have to if they want to keep their clients and a good reputation, please let me know if you get help. Thank you

    Was this answer helpful?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments