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
    2017-09-14T17:14:36+00:00

    Has anyone had the screen shaking effect when the device is still in cold state? In the recent past, the flickering occurred when the SP4 heated up a bit while watching a video or during a long skype video call. Today, the screen shaking started by just opening a  pdf document which turns the device completely useless.

    I started a conversation with a MS collaborator who suggests me to do a full reset before proceeding to a replacement. I have always avoided the full reset because it's painful to install and customize everything again and it seems that it doesn't solve the problem. This time I am going to do it as I have to when I'll go for the replacement. I just fear that the SP4 they will send is worse for not being brand new.

    I did a full reset on my SP4, and it flickered severely during the whole process. The screen shaking in cold state disappeared but when used it until it heats up, it flickers again. I repeated the full reset, which caused the screen to flicker again the whole time. 

    The next day, I requested a replacement. The new one is on its way. I wish I can be lucky this time.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-14T07:00:43+00:00

    I got the same problem as I posted here.

    Now flickering and ghosting images stopped (3 weeks ago..) BUT SF 4 i7 is shutting down when CPU is Processing under heavy calculations...witha a big thermometer announcing overheatiung..

    CPU temperature reached 75°C with 24°C environment indoor temperature.

    I’m using a docking station with external monitors and I solved the heating problem!!!

    Just follow this link to see how I solved it…You’ll need a fridge and cooling gel

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcabgo6x1z4z731/IMG\_20170914\_075621.jpg?dl=0

    I just wanted to update this thread on my experience. 

    I have already added my issue here, previously. My screen shakes begin from the top edge, after 4 or 5 lines first form. THe time from startup to the first shakes is approximately 20 minutes. After the first shakes appear, they get worse and worse till screen content is unreadable.

    However, over last two days, Ive noticed something weird. I left my screen on for hours despite the shakes, since I decided to cast its content to the TV via chromecast.

    The casted content on TV DOES NOT shake at all, and is fine, but the SP4 screen will be shaking. After an hour, the shaking abruptly stopped. Yes, I repeat, the shaking stopped. I was pleasantly surprised at first, so decided to replicate this. 

    Today, I replicated this for a second time. I put it into battery saver mode and left the screen on. THe shakes began after 20 minutes of usage and continue for 40 minutes, after which they abruptly stopped. The screen is back to being perfectly stable. I am typing now after it self-corrected. 

    My doubt now is that the issue is actually a self-correction effort by the screen to resolve a few dead pixels near the top. This is just a guess, but we may need to look into either disabling this self-correction mechanism or figure out what's causing these dead pixel lines.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-09-14T04:43:20+00:00

    I just wanted to update this thread on my experience. 

    I have already added my issue here, previously. My screen shakes begin from the top edge, after 4 or 5 lines first form. THe time from startup to the first shakes is approximately 20 minutes. After the first shakes appear, they get worse and worse till screen content is unreadable.

    However, over last two days, Ive noticed something weird. I left my screen on for hours despite the shakes, since I decided to cast its content to the TV via chromecast.

    The casted content on TV DOES NOT shake at all, and is fine, but the SP4 screen will be shaking. After an hour, the shaking abruptly stopped. Yes, I repeat, the shaking stopped. I was pleasantly surprised at first, so decided to replicate this. 

    Today, I replicated this for a second time. I put it into battery saver mode and left the screen on. THe shakes began after 20 minutes of usage and continue for 40 minutes, after which they abruptly stopped. The screen is back to being perfectly stable. I am typing now after it self-corrected. 

    My doubt now is that the issue is actually a self-correction effort by the screen to resolve a few dead pixels near the top. This is just a guess, but we may need to look into either disabling this self-correction mechanism or figure out what's causing these dead pixel lines.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-09-13T17:49:12+00:00

    Same here,

    What parts and at what cost? I thought the SP4 was non-serviceable.

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