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

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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
    2017-02-16T15:29:49+00:00

    After I called Global Customer Support, they offered to make a "one-time exception" to my expired warranty (how generous, considering they're the ones that talked me into letting it expire) and will supposedly replace the defective unit. I encourage everyone else with this issue to pursue that path and not be placated by talk of a software patch. This is clearly a hardware issue, and support's continued hinting of an incoming fix is misleading at best and a waste of your valuable warranty time.

    I would greatly appreciate if anyone who sent their unit in for repair already could share their experience. Was the replacement unit new-in-box or a refurb? Did it come back with accessories? How long did the process take? Is the replacement functional, and have you had any issues with it yet?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-02-16T15:37:58+00:00

    That's good kevnt, I am also eager to know more about the replacement process as I will also be sending my device back ASAP (On a 30 days Journey through postal service). Will like to hear your story when you will get yours one back. I don't expect it with accessories as the support agent asked to send only the device without pen or charger.  

    All the best for you :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-02-16T19:44:19+00:00

    After I called Global Customer Support, they offered to make a "one-time exception" to my expired warranty (how generous, considering they're the ones that talked me into letting it expire) and will supposedly replace the defective unit. I encourage everyone else with this issue to pursue that path and not be placated by talk of a software patch. This is clearly a hardware issue, and support's continued hinting of an incoming fix is misleading at best and a waste of your valuable warranty time.

    I would greatly appreciate if anyone who sent their unit in for repair already could share their experience. Was the replacement unit new-in-box or a refurb? Did it come back with accessories? How long did the process take? Is the replacement functional, and have you had any issues with it yet?

    You will in all likelyhood receive a so called refurbished unit.  When u receive it be sure that you check it out thoroughly as you could be inheriting someone else's problem.  According to Microsoft's warranty you will get an additional 90 days of warranty coverage.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-02-19T22:17:04+00:00

    I've just noticed this problem on my own i5 SP4, although it might have been happening for a few days since, as you wrote, anything moving on the screen masks the issue.

    I tried a hard reboot (i.e. to the UEFI menu) last night but it didn't fix it. However, this morning I did the same thing and the issue has gone away. I fear that it's only a temporary fix though. Has anyone heard anything from Microsoft about what's causing this issue? Like others in this thread I don't want to go without my device for a month while I wait for a repair or replacement.

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