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.

0 comments No comments
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]

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-11T10:37:04+00:00

    When did it start happening? I'm guessing since August or September? Check your update history to see if it has auto updated to that firmware...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-11T10:27:42+00:00

    Mine started having the same issues in September. I had zero issues before that.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-11T10:03:54+00:00

    My surface pro 4 i5 ram 8gb ssd 256gb, screen shake !

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-10-11T09:46:39+00:00

    I have the same issue - i've done lots of digging and it must be from a firmware update.

    Looks like MS released one in August and one in September. This is exactly when mine started and when it started overheating.

    I've reverted back to stock 1.0.0.0 firmware by rebuilding from a surface recovery image on a USB stick.

    I've paused Windows Updates so it doesn't drag the latest one down.

    Currently trying to download the July 2017 update as a colleague of mine is not having the issue on his and he is running July 2017 - have advised him to pause updates too.

    Has anyone got MS to acknowledge this is a firmware bug that will be addressed??

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments