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: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-14T18:05:31+00:00

    there are new updates

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Barb Bowman 80,815 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-11-15T11:09:53+00:00

    Nothing was released specifically for Surface. The general cumulative update is

    supposed to have fixed Windows Hello issues, which impacted more than just

    Surface devices.

    >there are new updates

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-16T03:18:26+00:00

    Surface pro 4, i5, 256G

    Start flickering and shaking from two weeks ago. CPU is not heavily used. The shaking will happen when use surface for about 2-3 hours. A litter worm in the back but not hot. The shaking happens every day since the first flickering happens.

    Has already out of the warranty. The sales tell me I need pay $450 to replace it.

    I quite doubt it's worth to replace it. I am afraid it will happen on the replaced computer also.

    Very regret to buy surface pro 4. Now I have to use it with a second monitor.

    It is a desktop now.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-16T05:28:49+00:00

    Is there any kind of indication of a time frame?  I wish they would at least tell us if we are supposed to wait or go ahead and attempt a replacement.

    I have no Microsoft store near me, but have an opportunity to get my SP4 to one via travelling friends. within the next few days.

    My device is still under warranty (Complete), but only for 2 more months.  I experienced the screen shaking, but today after brining up my device after about a week (strangely the battery drained to 0% even though I turned it completely off) it has not experienced shaking all day.  I even tried to put it under heavy load.  I might try to reset the device again since the shaking always came up during a refresh.

    Should I try to send it in not knowing if they can reproduce the issue or should I try to wait hoping for an official statement or fix, but allow my warranty to expire?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments