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

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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
    2017-10-19T13:47:08+00:00

    Mine has stopped flickering as well.

    I have been using mine everyday.  It stopped flickering when I did a re-install ... for about a week.  This was months ago.

    I have a desk fan pointed at SP4 and whenever it starts flickering, I turn on the fan, and the flickering goes away.  I leave the fan on.  Everyday the same thing as I watch the news and code.

    On Oct 12th my SP4 restarted to do updates.  Since then it hasn't flickered.  I am cautiously optimistic.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-19T11:09:27+00:00

    Try using the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility and run the Stress Test/CPU Test and see if you are able to reproduce the issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-19T10:04:52+00:00

    I can't say for sure... 

    It has been months since I last used the surface, and I just tried it again and I think it fixed itself. 

    As of yet, the flickering did not return. 

    If the situation changed, I would return to cry with you. Otherwise, good luck for everyone.

    Detail: I really didn't do anything, it was so unmanageable that I bought a new PC and put it aside, a few months later(today) I just opened it again to check, and it is working fine.

    It is asking me to update windows, but screw that, not doing that again in my life.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-10-19T08:54:03+00:00

    Can some legal action be taken against Microsoft?  Please??

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