Surface Pro 4 Screen Flickers

Hi SamuelPFelix,

Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Community. We're sorry to know what happen to your Surface device.

Unfortunately, if your Surface device is already beyond 3 years from the time it was purchased, no free replacement can be processed. The allocated 2 years is an exemption already on top of the 1 year device manufacturer's warranty. Replacement for the unit can still be processed but that is through out-of-warranty replacement wherein you need to cover the replacement cost. For your Surface device to be replaced, you have to send it back first. 

On the other hand, since you're using this device for work now due to the pandemic, 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, this confirms that your Surface device is already having a hardware issue and you really need to get a new device or have it replaced. I know how inconvenient it is on your behalf while using the device because this will surely interrupt you, however, the only option left now is to reimage your Surface device (that's if you haven't reset it).

See instructions below for details.

- HOW TO DOWNLOAD, CREATE AND USE A USB RECOVERY DRIVE****-

To download the Recovery Image:

You'll need a PC running Windows 7 or later or a Surface Device and a USB flashdrive (16GB or 32 GB).

1. Visit the page to Download the recovery image for your Surface
2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account
3. From the list of Surface devices available, select the device that you need a recovery image for

Please note that while you will only be presented with devices that are currently registered on your account, you will also be presented with the option to get an image for a different type of device. If you try to use this option, you will be prompted to enter the serial number for your Surface device. 4. Download the recovery image using the button on the page 5. When the download bar pops up at the bottom of your screen, save the file in a location you will be able to find it.

Format USB Drive:

• Note: Formatting a recovery drive will erase anything that is already stored on your USB drive. Make sure to transfer any important data from your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a Surface

USB recovery drive.

1. Insert your USB drive into the USB port of your PC.
2. From the desktop, open File Explorer
3. Tap and hold or right-click on the USB drive and choose Format
4. Select FAT32 as the file system and enter a Volume label to name the USB drive, such as RECOVERY, and then tap or click Start
5. Tap or click OK to erase the contents of the USB drive
6. Tap or click OK when the format is complete

Create a recovery drive:

1. On your Surface or PC, open recovery image that you downloaded by double-clicking it or right click then select Extract and then Extract all.
2. Select the USB drive you formatted earlier for the location and click Extract.

Use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface:

1. Shutdown the Surface
2. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port
3. Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker
4. Press and release the power button
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker
6. Surface will start the recovery software on the USB recovery drive
7. When prompted, choose your language options and keyboard layout
8. Select Troubleshoot
9. Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC.
10. If prompted, select Repartition the drives
11. If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive and continue with the reimaging process.

If this helps, please let our Community know by marking this post as an answer. Otherwise, don't hesitate to contact support for replacement options if the issue persists after the reset.

Kind Regards,

Crest_Z

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.

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

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/

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.