Surface Pro 4, Screen Flickering, Shaking

Anonymous
2017-01-19T07:47:47+00:00

Hi All,

Update: Flickergate is now having a forum to bring all affected users at a single platform to plan for resolvement of issue. Please join at

 https://forum.flickergate.com

UPDATE: Check FlickerGate.com for videos of the problem and to submit your own. 

I purchased SP4 device a few months ago and it was working fine for a month. Then I noticed that when the CPU is at its max, the screen flickers a bit. Investigating further revealed that it flickers even if it is setting idle. It does not flicker if at least one of the following thing is done:

  1. A video being played in browser 
  2. If I keep the touch screen busy by either taping it or keeping a finger on it
  3. If I use the touchpad
  4. If keyboard is used for typing

This resulted in making the device completely unusable while reading articles or ebooks. I am a developer, most of the time I have to read the code and to do that, I have to constantly keep a finger on the touch pad or the screen. I contacted surface support in October and November and was told that the developers are working on the patch. Looking at the updates the developers are pushing since then, I don't think anyone is even aware of the problem there. 

My previous support ticket numbers are:

 ***deleted personally identifiable information***

***deleted personally identifiable information***

Just wondering if anyone else had the same problem (and the fix) and if not, what's the procedure for the refund? I will rather go for a mac then sacrificing $2000+ for a dancing screen.  

Kind Regards,

Abbas

***Personal information deleted by the moderator. Please see the Microsoft Community Frequently Asked Questions for more information on how you can protect your privacy.***

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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Anonymous
2018-05-11T17:59:00+00:00

Hey Everyone,

Creating the best products and experiences for our customers is our top priority.

We have heard your feedback and after careful examination, have determined that a small percentage of Surface Pro 4 devices are exhibiting a screen flicker that cannot be addressed with a firmware or driver update.

To support customers affected by this issue, we will replace eligible Surface Pro 4 devices for up to three years from the date of purchase, free of charge. If you believe your device is experiencing this issue, please visit our Surface Pro 4 screen flicker article for more details.

Bryan [MSFT]

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-05-21T03:27:30+00:00

    Can you look for the date on the Surface touch Servicing ML? It is on the device manager. My driver version is dated 12/mar/17 version 1.0.724.0, and hasnt been updated. the other Update i already have it installed, flickering isn't gone. I do know however updates arent deployed at the same time for all users. Mind looking into it? Open device manager, then select system devices. In there almost at the bottom is the touch servicing ML thing. Look into the driver date. I insist, my device gets cold and it  flickers, ****? Just played for 3 hours no problem. I quit the game, turn on the AC and it flcikers like crazy. 

    problem is progressing rapidly, not it flickers a lot and not even a fullscreen video seems to make it go away. It has to get hot or it wont go away? 

    Disabling the device doesnt take the flickering away however.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-20T14:50:53+00:00

    Hey guys,

    I just wanna say that it's been two days and I've been using my SP4 for hours everyday and the problem didn't seem to come back. no flickering.

    I looked into windows update and I found that 2 drivers were installed a couple of days ago

    Microsoft driver update for Surface Touch Servicing ML

    Microsoft - Firmware - 12/19/2016 12:00:00 AM - 106.1427.768.0

    I don't know which one caused the problem to disappear but I thought this is worth sharing for the tech savvies to look into it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-20T10:25:44+00:00

    Hi everyone,

    I replaced my faulty SP4 today with a brand new one at the Sydney Microsoft Store, and so far so good! No flickering!

    I used Macrium Reflect software to clone SP4 i7 1TB drive to an external 2TB USB HDD. Once cloned, I connected the external USB HDD to new SP4 and booted from it. Once it booted into Windows I ran Macrium Reflect to clone the HDD in the new SP4.

    I've been using it for the past 5 hours with no flickering. Hopefully it stays that way!

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-20T10:16:39+00:00

    Just to verify, can everyone confirm if all have installed the Creators Update?

    Yes, it is installed. Latest Windows Updates as well.

    • When you turn on the Surface, did you notice if the Surface logo flickers/shakes as well?

    Yes, but only once its warm and has started flickering in Windows. If it's been off and is cold then the Surface logo doesn't flicker. It's definitely heat related.

    • Does it occurs immediately after you logged in to Windows, or when working on a certain task? If so, how long does flickering/shaking last?

    As above, if its warm it flickers before Windows even starts. It has nothing to do with any tasks and will last as long as the computer stays on and will only stop if the device has been switched off for sufficient amount of time for it to totally cool down. Once again it's definitely heat related.

    • Does your device connect to your external monitor/s via Surface docking station when this occurs?

    It occurs with or without connecting an external monitor. I connect it to a Surface docking station at work at it flickers, at home I just connect the external monitor directly to the device and it also flickers.Onceagain it's definitely heat related.

    • Are you using a splitter/adapter to connect directly to an external monitor without the docking station?

    As above. I use a HDMI to Mini Display Port adapter at home and it flickers. It occurs with or without connecting an external monitor, and with or without a docking station.

    It's definitely a hardware problem and it's definitely heat related!

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