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.

0 comments No comments
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]

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-03-26T21:05:27+00:00

    Call their Global Customer Support, they made a one time free extension to a user's device with the same error which he has mentioned in details in this thread. So the same applies to you too

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-26T21:03:25+00:00

    My sympathies are with you are I know what stages next you will be going through. I have a career changing project over due and its too time consuming to setup a new system for the project still I will have to that as well now. Hope you don't have any such situation. its hard to make a decision at first but eventually you will have too. My device costed $2000+ and it will be a trash without a fix so you and me will have to bear the cost.

    Besides that, there is another fear as others are saying, they send a refurb set, which can still have the same or new problem. Through rare but same is this flickering, we were the unlucky ones to have these rare faulty ones. :P  Also a user suggested that if the device get damaged while sending to Microsoft within US or Canada, they will not take it. So its pretty risky, I am really hoping we all get a working devices once and for all. 

    All the best.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-26T16:07:24+00:00

    I don't know that I would have gone apple but I agree with you that this is a disappointment. The fact that no root cause has been identified is very irritating. Especially when you consider that there was a stabilization defect very early on in the product's life that was addressed with an update. If that issue is directly related to this one, it is even more disappointing since the previous fix was no more than a temporary solution to a problem that was allowed to persist well past the warranty period. I would say that is grounds for a recall. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to push the issue since my warranty is expired and they are simply replacing devices for those covered.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-03-26T15:42:53+00:00

    That's utterly annoying. All comments happen to suit my case. The problem persist up to now and no Update so far has solved it. I'm very disappointed to have bought this Surface Pro 4. I wish I would have bought an Apple product instead.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments