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
    2017-08-03T19:30:02+00:00

    ok, so it has cooled down and I've turned it back on and it is no longer docked.  It is now running normal again.  Before I shut it down the back of the SP4 was very hot to touch.  Now it is cold and feels normal.  I am convinced the problem is overheating, it has nothing to do with software.  I'll monitor it and will put another post later.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-03T17:08:18+00:00

    I'm back again.  Ave temp is 50 degrees with a maximum of 68 degrees since I rebooted.  The screen shake/flicker is getting exponentially worse in a matter of minutes.  I think I will shut down and let it cool down to see what happens.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-03T17:01:28+00:00

    I have a SP4 i7 and it too is shaking like crazy and getting worse every day.  It is connected to a SP3 docking station with an external monitor.  The external monitor is fine, but the SP4 screen is shaking to the point I can't read it any more.  I think it is a hardware issue and not software.  Also the design of the docking station not allowing the SP4 to cool down as it is pretty hot.  CPU utilisation is only less than 20%.  CPU temp is TBA - I need to reboot.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-08-01T07:21:57+00:00

    I have the same problem.

    And it started around a month ago. My Surface Pro 4 is about to be two years old soon.

    When the symptom starts, I just put a small fan on the back, and the flickering stopped.

    I guess mine is a heat problem.

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