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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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
    2017-05-01T21:42:47+00:00

    I used to have a Toshiba core 2 duo that I used for almost six year!. I went premium for the first time and I pay 1600 $ + shipping for this machine. I really hope Microsoft gives us positive answer about this problem.

    We are all still waiting on feedback from Microsoft, hopefully sooner than later. My screen shaking is also getting progressively worse.. I have to use a monitor 90% of the time now which defeats the purpose of an ultraportable.

    You've highlighted my point exactly. Its disappointing that Microsoft's own premium hardware line is suffering faults such as this when budget OEM devices go 5, 10 years with nothing but loss in performance. I was expecting to get the best of Windows in purchasing a Surface

    Anyway hopefully they find a solution soon. I'm still constant reaching out to them on twitter with no luck

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-01T19:41:54+00:00

    Hi!

    I wrote about 2 weeks when i found this thread. The clock solution started failing me today. It got serious flickering for about a minute even with the clock's seconds on. Now it's ok but the flickering is becoming more apparent and I'm getting frustrated. I also think it's hardware related because I saw the flickering for the first in my surface splash screen while turning it on. I do everything with my surface and it is my only device. I used to have a Toshiba core 2 duo that I used for almost six year!. I went premium for the first time and I pay 1600 $ + shipping for this machine. I really hope Microsoft gives us positive answer about this problem. I'm not a big user but I trust Microsoft services and devices with the Surface and an Office 365 Small Business License.

    I hope that they take care of this issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-28T12:36:39+00:00

    Unfortunately I don't have good news. I chat again with the Support Team, and tried many solutions, until I had to Reset completely the Surface to see if with that it will stop shaking and flickering. But nothing happens.  I sent it to the States with a friend that fortunately was here in Peru, so they will replace the device.   They assure me that I won't have the same problem.  Hope that's it, as I really love my Surface Pro.

    Wishing you all luck with this issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-04-28T01:24:13+00:00

    Bought a SP4 here in New Zealand and suffering the same problem that even the seconds in clock fix cant resolve. I hope the Surface team fixes this real soon as it is getting really annoying.

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