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
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

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-03-14T03:08:49+00:00

    I got my computer back today. In all, I was without it for 3 1/2 weeks.

    To be fair, Microsoft's side of things went relatively speedily. I shipped the computer from my home abroad February 17th, and it got to family in the US on the 20th. They forwarded it on for warranty service on February 21, and it got to Microsoft's service center in McAllen, Texas the next day.

    A replacement unit was shipped out from Louisville, Kentucky the day after that, February 23. It arrived at my family's the 27th due to the shipment falling over a weekend. They put it in the mail March 1st, and it got back to this country March 4th... where it sat for the last week as I fought with customs, FedEx, everybody. Microsoft didn't charge for domestic shipping or the replacement, though the international shipping set me back about $340 USD. I can definitely see why Microsoft prefers not to deal with international support, but that doesn't make me hate being on the hook for it any less.

    The device I received was clearly a replacement (what with coming from a whole different shipping center the day after my unit reached support), though I have no idea whether it was a refurb or factory new. It was in excellent physical condition and came in a plain brown box, nothing inside but the slate. I might be imagining things, but I think this unit actually has less of the trademark Surface bottom-edge light bleed my original did.

    So far, with less than a day of admittedly heavy usage - mostly me downloading and installing an army of software - it is holding up well. The fan is running hard, which I'm fine with. Better than overheating. I'll definitely be on the lookout for any signs of the issue. Best of luck to anyone in the same boat.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-13T15:13:11+00:00

    hardware of Microsoft is terrible, my surface pro 4 is over warranty replacement and my surface book I don't know when this issue come, oh my god >4000$ for 2 device :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-13T15:05:23+00:00

    Hi, Did you find the driver? My screen now flickers 80% of the time and is not getting stopped by anything. Can't do work or anything

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-03-11T06:42:35+00:00

    now every times, I have to enter UEFI mode by press "power" button and "volume +" button, wait until this issue disappear and reset to use it :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments