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
    2020-11-09T11:51:25+00:00

    Keeping this a secret from people who have asked for help long enough for their surface devices to run out of time for recall makes me absolutely never want to buy anything related to Microsoft.  The last I was told is that I can have a small discount on a new Surface. I understand those newer models are showing this same issue. Do you take us for idiots? Why would we pay more for another piece of junk?

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-09T12:18:32+00:00

    Is that true, that the newer ones also have this issue?  My husband has a Surface 3, and it have never had an issue.  I was wondering if this is the only model that had the shaking - how to confirm that the new ones also are junk?

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  3. Barb Bowman 80,805 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-11-09T12:36:08+00:00

    I was wondering if this is the only model that had the shaking

    It is the only model where this is widely reported - I have not seen this on my
    Surface Pro 2017 5th generation.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-11-09T14:42:11+00:00

    I too have the problem with my old Surface V4 screen getting "jumpy". This happens when the laptop gets too warm. My screen is even physically warped with a noticeable curve to it.

    And it was 4 years old and thus out of warranty.  I didn't try to get any deal from Microsoft. Curiously my wife's HP computer also got a jumpy screen when it got older. Maybe the glue used in the "old" days was poor. 

    After researching alternatives I decided to replace my Surface V4 with a Surface V7 which I really like. I decided to take the 3 year extended business warranty that would even cover me if I physically dropped it. That option was reasonably priced.

    Did my new V7 laptop live happily ever after? No. One day Windows did not start but instead kept showing me the UEFI screen (a more modern version of the BIOS screen shown on older computers).  This time I did contact Microsoft telephone support. I was very impressed with the professional help they gave me and how they brought in people from California and the Philippines to help me out. As it turns out my Surface had already self-diagnosed its problem. It was the SSD (solid state drive) that was bad. On the upper right corner of the UEFI screen it displayed an icon that said bad SSD. Mind you the icon was quite small and I didn't "see it" until a Microsoft person asked me to specifically look for it. The SSD is not field replaceable. So Microsoft immediately ordered my a new Surface V7 without waiting for the old unit to be sent back. 

    BTW: I highly recommend getting a MoKo case that fits many Surface models including V4 through V7. Amazon Canada has it for $24.99. It provides a place to store your pen as well as protect your laptop and keeps the keyboard shut when it's not in use.

    PS: I have been in the software development business for over 25 years and I recommend the Surface V7 for my customers and friends. (I get no financial gain from this recommendation.)  

    PPS: The bad SSD icon (shown much enlarged) is:

    -Roy Miller

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