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
    2017-10-31T07:20:27+00:00

    i dont understand. are u praising Microsoft for a failed product? like its our fault we picked the damaged goods. how do u spend 2000+ on a product that isnt functioning as was pitched and you call it AMAZING???? ARE U GETTING ANYTHING FROM THIS? they r not even admitting that this is even an issue . there where other products you know, but we said.. its Microsoft , they will give us a better software ,hardware integration. this isnt a startup . u expect this from startups and not Microsoft. dont call this trash amazing anymore. it really hurts.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-31T08:05:34+00:00

    i dont understand. are u praising Microsoft for a failed product? like its our fault we picked the damaged goods. how do u spend 2000+ on a product that isnt functioning as was pitched and you call it AMAZING???? ARE U GETTING ANYTHING FROM THIS? they

    r not even admitting that this is even an issue . there where other products you know, but we said.. its Microsoft , they will give us a better software ,hardware integration. this isnt a startup . u expect this from startups and not Microsoft. dont call this

    trash amazing anymore. it really hurts.

    Im sorry, didnt mean to aggravate your emotions. Ofcourse the product has issues. But is it a FAILED product? No. Sorry, but that's just unfair and incorrect. This is a support forum and I posted my experience regarding the problem. Since it rectified itself, and I'm back to using my Surface as usual, I feel its a good product. If your issue is not yet resolved, I get it, you're angry. I am clearly blaming Microsoft for dropping the ball with service and support. But my appreciation comments are purely aimed at the product itself.

    SERVICE & SUPPORT = BAD, BOO, FAIL, WORST

    PRODUCT = Amazing

    My Surface Pro 4 costed me $899 and that is the price of an iPad Pro. Compared to the iPad, this is infinitely more productive and superior when it comes to functionality and design. I run Arena simulation modeling and CAD/CAM design software, along with some games and Office applications. 

    I repeat again, my flickering issue is GONE. My device is working normally. Product is performing as per specifications that were pitched.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-31T09:31:08+00:00

    Just look at YouTube videos about iPad flickering and you see how many people complaining about the same problem on the Apple device. I didn't watch all videos but maybe there is the fix.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-10-31T10:37:17+00:00

    Same experience here with little but a serious difference..... in my sp4 the problems ( same as mentioned by u ) reappeared after a brief period of normalcy.

    So how can u say that it's a stellar machine.... see, I also admit that the form factor, the features, portability.... all are great with sp4...but a machine with this pricetag should be much more reliable, isn'tit?!!!??? The present unit of mine is the second one which is a replacement unit for the 1st defective new one( the first unit was defective from the day one of its Delivery!!!).... now they are saying that they will replace this one with a refurbished one!!!! 

    It's very unfortunate that Microsoft machines have many issues which make it very unreliable.... just see the list of complaints of its user....

    Isn't Apple a much better choice in terms of everything taken into account? I chose Microsoft over Apple seeing the sp4 initially....but after using it for about 1 year I am being compelled to think different.... my sp4 ditched me in a very crucial moment of my life.... it's the time just before my post graduate medical entrance exam.... and I had to buy another laptop !!!!

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