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
    2017-11-03T06:16:27+00:00

    Thanks NahushBhat, 

    drop me an email at ******@abbasharoon.me 

    Also, Here is an article covering the issue. 

    https://www.computerworld.com/article/3187566/microsoft-windows/microsoft-has-no-response-to-surface-pro-4-screen-flickers.html

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T06:01:55+00:00

    Just completed installing Windows Creator Update, nothing happened on my end. The only thing which stops the flickering temperately is not using the device for long periods of time. 

    I know we are not able to get any kind of response from Microsoft. So its better to create our own media buzz. I contacted few review channels on Youtube and they are willing to give coverage to our story. We can do the following things to get started:

    1. Create a website detailing all of this in summarized form along with videos and pictures. 
    2. Add all the effected people to the website. We can link to our Facebook profile for authenticity3. Advertise to the people following Surface Pro and Microsoft pages on facebook and twitter. 
    3. Create crowdfunding page to get help from others to reach more people. 

    I am programmer and I am willing to dedicate my time and some bucks to set this all up. If anyone else is able to help by contributing time then let me know. We have already wasted $$$, spending sometime to expose Microsoft will be worth it. 

    I am willing to contribute in some way, although Im not a programmer. My issue has resolved itself but Im not sure if its permanent or temporary, and it didnt resolve with the help of Microsoft. Their disappointing support made it worse.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T05:40:16+00:00

    Just completed installing Windows Creator Update, nothing happened on my end. The only thing which stops the flickering temperately is not using the device for long periods of time. 

    I know we are not able to get any kind of response from Microsoft. So its better to create our own media buzz. I contacted few review channels on Youtube and they are willing to give coverage to our story. We can do the following things to get started:

    1. Create a website detailing all of this in summarized form along with videos and pictures. 
    2. Add all the effected people to the website. We can link to our Facebook profile for authenticity3. Advertise to the people following Surface Pro and Microsoft pages on facebook and twitter. 
    3. Create crowdfunding page to get help from others to reach more people. 

    I am programmer and I am willing to dedicate my time and some bucks to set this all up. If anyone else is able to help by contributing time then let me know. We have already wasted $$$, spending sometime to expose Microsoft will be worth it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T03:49:46+00:00

    I bought my SP4 in June 2017 and it worked trouble free for the first two months. The flickering/shacking display problems began in August and were partly alleviated by an external fan, but not fully.

    Yesterday I received 2 updates

    KB4049179 security update for adobe flash player

    KB4041994  which I'm not sure what it does but it required several restarts to install.

    Since then, the display problem is gone. Early days yet, will see how it goes over the coming days/weeks.

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