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

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.

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Answer accepted by question author
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
    2020-03-22T13:29:27+00:00

    Microsoft stores are closed until the china virus has run its course. So now i cant even work because this thing is so bad. Going to order a Dell 5300 series 2 in 1 at least they fix their hardware. Microsoft is selectively replacing SP4 and not providing support of the same model SP4 because of the date it was purchased. Units could have been made next to one another on the same day but because one was purchased on a different day MS doesnt support it?!   Complete BS!  If a car company did this it would be a class action law suit.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T07:53:12+00:00

    take it back to microsoft. its a well known problem. The limit is 3 years on the warranty, but try.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T02:11:57+00:00

    I'm in the same exact boat having purchased mine in 2016 and costing just as much. I'm really upset. This is not our fault and yet we have to pay for a replacement when the defect is a manufacturing issue? How is that right? I recently told a friend to go with Surface Pro when she asked because I've loved mine.  Now I'm going to have to tell her otherwise.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T02:06:30+00:00

    I am having the same problem. The flickering of my screen started today and I've loved my Surface Pro 4 up until now. The screen is either glitchy or at a standstill blur (like having an astigmatism).  I've tried everything I've read up on with having the latest firmware and updates and still no resolution. I even reset my whole computer. I think it's a hardware issue. I bought mine back in 2016 and have had no problems until now. Although it's already a few years old, I've taken great care of it and this shouldn't be happening. I'm really upset as I'm a student who needs my computer and can't afford another one. Spending over a couple grand on this should have taken me through at least 5 years.

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