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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Answer accepted by question author
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
    2017-08-30T23:51:23+00:00

    It is a hardware problem.

    I was having this exact problem. I cloned my hard drive from my faulty SP4 before exchanging it for a brand new device. I then copied my cloned drive onto the new SP4 and I was back up and running in 2 hours, and I've not had a problem since.

    This proves without a doubt that it's a hardware problem. If it was software / firmware I would be having the exact same issue.

    Sounds very reasonable to me. I'm interested to know what the folks at Microsoft think. Thanks for posting.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-30T23:23:51+00:00

    It is a hardware problem.

    I was having this exact problem. I cloned my hard drive from my faulty SP4 before exchanging it for a brand new device. I then copied my cloned drive onto the new SP4 and I was back up and running in 2 hours, and I've not had a problem since.

    This proves without a doubt that it's a hardware problem. If it was software / firmware I would be having the exact same issue.

    Hello.

    for the fifth time in3 years.

    I'm forced to uninstall and install softare in this ss....t!!

    Autocad.

    MAPLE

    Office

    RFEM

    SKETCHUP

    LATEX

    ANTIVIRUS

    ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

    ADOBRE ACROBAT

    WIINEDT

    IRFANVIEW

    SPY HUNTER

    BROWESER

    DICTIONAIRES

    AND f Microsoft !

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-30T21:43:47+00:00

    It is a hardware problem.

    I was having this exact problem. I cloned my hard drive from my faulty SP4 before exchanging it for a brand new device. I then copied my cloned drive onto the new SP4 and I was back up and running in 2 hours, and I've not had a problem since.

    This proves without a doubt that it's a hardware problem. If it was software / firmware I would be having the exact same issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-08-30T06:55:38+00:00

    Yes, demand that they replace your SP with a brand new device.

    I've owned 4 SF PRO 3, all them have been replaced by he same WARRANTY!

    Now I'm having this problem with SF  PRO 4, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN THE HARDWARE.

    EXCHANGE OF THE DEVICE AND INSTALL THE SAME SOFTWARE AGAIN... AND YOU'LL HAVE FOR SURE THE SAME RISK OF THE REPLACEMENT DEVICE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE

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