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
    2017-06-29T05:51:46+00:00

    Well, the latest update doesn't help...

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-28T14:40:49+00:00

     only if it's not your one and only computer and you don't want to use the stylus at all. 

    In fact, that's another surprise about the "Touchpad functionality".  My stylus can be seen when hovering, so can be used to tap too.  In my case, I have my tablet mounted in portrait orientation and the attached monitor in landscape so it takes some mental adjustment to figure out what direction to move the stylus to see where it would go on the attached screen but I would assume that problem not to be present if users were keeping the same orientation for both screens (ditto for swiping).  Another challenge I have is doing this with Mouse Without Borders as my normal keyboard and mouse method for the tablet, especially when UAC is involved, but this just adds spice to the game.

    Windows 10.  Still an Adventure ("Twisty passages, all different.")

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-28T14:14:10+00:00

    I guess it's been established that the problem really only occurs on the screen of the surface itself but not on external monitors - at least for me and many others. To use it as a stationary device might work for some, but only if it's not your one and only computer and you don't want to use the stylus at all.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-28T13:35:24+00:00

    scrapping my tablet  

    What about using it as a Desktop replacement?  I'm still not clear if the problem symptom being discussed here happens on attached screens, in particular on Second Screen Only configurations.  FWIW I have been experimenting with that configuration with my Surface 2 Pro as a possible means of avoiding the "plugged in, not charging (but draining)" issue and am finding it more functional than I had imagined.  The tablet screen is still warm but no longer hot and it can be used as a Touchpad, an unexpected plus.

    HTH

    Robert Aldwinckle

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