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

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-05T22:47:31+00:00

    ya, it only lasted for 4 hrs back to the same ghosting n flickering

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-12T20:35:08+00:00

    Another victim is here. I have a Dell laptop and a SF4 and typically work on the laptop most of the time. My SF4 actually had worked well until this lockdown, when my wife started using it more for her online English classes with Zoom. It started flickering about 2 weeks ago when got heated and was getting worse and worse.

    The thing is I never knew about this problem and I actually plan to buy a newer Surface. But now, after reading all of this, I will not do it anymore. It is insane to offer cost of $599 to fix it with a replacement. Unacceptable!

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-14T23:53:03+00:00

    Another victim is here. I have a Dell laptop and a SF4 and typically work on the laptop most of the time. My SF4 actually had worked well until this lockdown, when my wife started using it more for her online English classes with Zoom. It started flickering about 2 weeks ago when got heated and was getting worse and worse.

    The thing is I never knew about this problem and I actually plan to buy a newer Surface. But now, after reading all of this, I will not do it anymore. It is insane to offer cost of $599 to fix it with a replacement. Unacceptable!

    Assuming you were happy with all the other aspects of the Surface Pro 4, what are you considering to replace it with. Just curious - I am thinking the same way as you do.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-15T01:48:22+00:00

    Well, Samuel, to tell you the truth, I am disgusted with Microsoft’s unresponsiveness to a problem that is quite widespread...in the middle of a PANDEMIC, no less. It does not make me want to give them any more of my business. I’m lucky in that I have an HP laptop on loan from my employer so that I can work from home.

    I also have an iPad Mini that needs to be replaced because of a battery issue. I have been extremely happy with the iPad Mini 3  for more recreational use (Internet browsing, email, e-books). I had replaced a previous iPad that had a cracked screen with one I purchased via Craigslist, but I got burned on that transaction because the battery will not hold a charge. Live and learn... My priority is to replace the iPad Mini 3 with a refurbished one from a reputable seller.

    I’m still limping along with the Surface 4. I never use it for Zoom meetings anymore but I can stream content for 3-4 hours usually before it heats up and starts flickering. Please let me know what you decide to do.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-16T03:27:48+00:00

    Microsoft is aware and yet they opt to adopt a "silence is golden" stance! What a shame for a large reputable organisation. They do not have the courage of the motor industry where recalls are done even for very old models. Then again, Microsoft's may view this screen-freeze issue as not "life threatening".

    Stay away from Microsoft laptops!

    One thing I have observed though. The Surface Pro 4 behaves itself so long as you are operating on battery mode without the charger plugged in and switched on. Get it fully charged when it is powered down. Attempting to charge it when the battery depletes whilst still using it will almost guarantee a screen flicker problem and the screen will "freeze" in minutes.

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