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
    2017-05-17T21:58:23+00:00

    Hello Joseph

    I have the creators update with every update.

    The surface logo has had flickering when the flickering was bad, but not always.

    The flickering starts usually after using the device for some time or when playing videogames, I have monitored the temperature and it's not the problem, it flickers even with stable temperatures, for some time, it flickered constantly even when working/updating the screen/moving the mouse/having the task manager open, but some times, any screen change removes the flickering for a couple of seconds.

    I don't have a docking station nor have I been using external monitors.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-18T03:07:46+00:00

    hi Joseph, 

    • Just to verify, can everyone confirm if all have installed the Creators Update?

    CU updated and every other updates is up-to-date.

    • When you turn on the Surface, did you notice if the Surface logo flickers/shakes as well?

    no flickers/shakes for cold boot. flicker/shakes do happens if the machine is warm/heated up.

    • Does it occurs immediately after you logged in to Windows, or when working on a certain task? If so, how long does flickering/shaking last?

    cold boot is totally fine with no flickers/shakes. it started to get flickers/shakes after warm/heated up, in my case, watching YouTube in both EDGE and CHROME for maybe over 20 minutes, it starts to happen when the video quality is 1080P, however it won't have flickers/shakes when the video quality is 720P. when it is happening, i close the browser, the flickers/shakes do still happen on the desktop screen but, will become less and lesser after waiting, and passing by at least 20 minutes or so later, the screen was back to normal without flickers/shakes, for over at least 3 times of testing.

    • Does your device connect to your external monitor/s via Surface docking station when this occurs?

    not sure as do not have the docking station.

    • Are you using a splitter/adapter to connect directly to an external monitor without the docking station?

    not sure as not necessary to me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-18T08:08:33+00:00

    Hi Joseph,

    For my case:

    1. All updates installed
    2. No flickering when turning on, but start right at welcome screen
    3. It happens right away if nothing is refreshed in the screen
    4. No external monitor, no dock

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-18T15:34:16+00:00

    Just to verify, can everyone confirm if all have installed the Creators Update?

    YES

    When you turn on the Surface, did you notice if the Surface logo flickers/shakes as well?

    SOMETIMES

    • Does it occurs immediately after you logged in to Windows, or when working on a certain task? If so, how long does flickering/shaking last?

    USUALLY STARTED IMMEDIATELY EVEN BEFORE LOGGING IN TO WINDOWS. THE FLICKERING ONLY STOPS IF I AM DOING SOMETHING - TYPING, GAMING, ETC. SOMETIMES IT WILL QUIT IF I JUST TOUCH THE SCREEN, BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.

    • Does your device connect to your external monitor/s via Surface docking station when this occurs?

    I DO NOT USE AN EXTERNAL MONITOR. BUT THE DISPLAY FLICKERS WHETHER I'M ATTACHED TO THE KEYBOARD OR NOT.

    • Are you using a splitter/adapter to connect directly to an external monitor without the docking station?

    NO

    FYI - MY SURFACE PRO4 ALSO HAS A DARK SMUDGE ON THE DISPLAY IN THE AREA WHERE THE FLICKERING IS THE WORST. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TOLD IT IS PROBABLY A BAD DISPLAY, BUT MICROSOFT CLAIMS IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED IT 11/25/2016. THE LAST QUOTE THEY GAVE ME WAS $450 TO REPLACE IT. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE PRO4.

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