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
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

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-19T08:49:19+00:00

    My both surface pro4 are doing the very said thing.  One stopped for a while with the second hand trick but it has not held out.  It has started again.  They are both out of warranty, but this is a problem faced with the surface pro4.  I need to get my money back on these two.

    I also bought two surface pro3 prior to this that are working excellently.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-18T03:53:16+00:00

    My screen flickering has gotten worse. Like the shake you posted. I didnt want to, but will now have to reset my surface to factory and if that doesn't work,time to ship it back to microsoft. This is unusable. The seconds hand no longer prevents the shaking... RIP 1700 device..

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-17T18:04:39+00:00

    I don't have access to my device any more, It is at the Boca Town Centre Microsoft Store in Boca Raton, so I can't give firmware information etc. AFAIK it was running all the latest updates as of October 4, 2017.

    I do want to include some photos of the issue. To give some appreciation of the issue that is taking place. This is NOT a software issue, if it persists even when the device is booting.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-10-17T11:30:38+00:00

    Now I'm a happy Mac book pro user! I just threw away this broken surface, got Mac book with a wacom graphic tablet for drawing. And feel happy! Bye bye Microsoft never again!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments