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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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
    2017-09-11T05:03:05+00:00

    Bad news..... the battery was swelling and now the screen popped open at the bottom right. Flickering stopped (probably no more structural stress). Put your SP4 on the table and give it a spin. If it spins, bad news!

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-11T03:00:55+00:00

    Had the same problem, screen shaking, jumping up and down like 1-2 pixels. 

    I went to two microsoft stores but since i am in a different country now then when i bought the device, they wouldn´t even look at it. 

    Went to some independent shop, they replaced the screen, changed the hardware. Now everything works again. (i was out of warranty already, so i would ahve had to pay anyway, probably) 

    in conclusion - I am not buying any microsoft hardware anymore. Too expensive to start breaking down after 2.5 years like that. No wonder they are not recommended devices anymore.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-09-11T02:19:15+00:00

    Hi Everyone,

    My SP4 has been working really well up until recently I had this issue of screen flickering. Read almost all the posts here and tried most of the solutions, nothing seems to be working. 

    I used my previous laptop for 6 years and it was only $700 and it gave me a really good service. Now I'm unable to invest on another one after buying this expensive SP4 which I have used for less the two years. 

    My question to MS (don't know whether will get the answer) is after getting so many complaints what are you going to do to solve the issue. We spend our hard earned money to buy products from you and in return we get faulty devices. This is not right. Unfortunately we don't have any platform where we can raise our voice.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-09-11T00:15:00+00:00

    Hi everyone..

    Just come to know my surface got this problem about 2 weeks now. The bad news is my surface waranty is also out. If not mistaken.. most of the problem posted happen after waranty is out. Regret to have not using it before this (only using it frequently this month. As I recalled.. this happen after I update to the latest software. But not sure is it the update or due to frequent use recently. Thought it was something that will disappear after a simple restart but seeing this and many other posts that been going for nearly a year.. Sigh.. what are the MS is doing?

    I already do all the basic thing that already been posted by others but still the problem exist. I think resetting the only thing that I haven't done because don't want to do all the setting and downloading again and have to backup all my work. Also seeing others posted resetting not helping the issue here..

    I really regret because only using it intensively this month. All the waranty time is already wasted and now I'm stuck with the problem is strongly I believe product manufacturing fail by MS. I think MS should recall all their product and make announcement immediately.

    Need advice from anybody.. What should I do from here..

    thanks

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