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
    2017-04-20T19:09:04+00:00

    I really hope they are not referring to the Creators Update. Affected user's who have installed it are still having the issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-20T19:25:17+00:00

    Why am I not surprised???

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-20T19:44:18+00:00

    "This will help in resolving the issues." Really??? Just like the registry hack to add seconds to the system clock 'helped in resolving the issue', or just like the previous patches 'helped in resolving the issue', or just like running the system fix 'helped in resolving the issue', or what about swapping the whole unit over that will 'help in resolving the issue'... What will it be next week???

    This is an absolute joke! I like many others rely on this product for my business. It has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars in lost productivity as the device is unusable within half an hour of use! We're a technology company and I've had to resort to pen and paper in meetings because I can't use my Surface!

    All I've heard for months is that a fix is coming, when Microsoft? When will you resolve this problem? It's not an intermittent problem, it's a problem that is that regular I could set my watch to it!

    Own the problem Microsoft, show some transparency, keep everyone informed on the progress (or lack of) on a daily basis! All you're achieving at the moment is irritating the whole community and turning them against you (and potential buyers of the Surface Pro) by your radio silence! If you think it's damaging to have a faulty product? Well I can tell you it's far more damaging when the community is angry and voices its disdain to the millions via social media, as they're starting to do!

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-04-20T21:04:04+00:00

    Apparently Microsoft is 'currently rolling out updates to fix this issue'. (sort of good news I guess)

    Aaaand there they go again with the useless 'Software repair tool':

    As you can see they were indeed referring to the Creator's Update, meaning that they're not looking into fixing squat.

    Microsoft has finally lost the last bit of credibility I had in their Surface brand.

    I'm never purchasing a Surface device again in the near future nor will I suggest anyone to do so either.

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