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
    2017-11-03T07:00:09+00:00

    Thank you for the initiative. You have my support. I am not a programmer but will help. In fact, I was recording the shaky screen yesterday, and thinking of posting it on Youtube. Enlisting Youtube review channel to cover this issue is a good idea. 

    Its ironic that we are organizing this on their own support forum and they're still not bothered to intervene. Their CRM team needs to be given a reality check. Considering how this thread alone has nearly 36,000 views, its no small issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T06:55:05+00:00

    Thank you for the initiative. You have my support. I am not a programmer but will help. In fact, I was recording the shaky screen yesterday, and thinking of posting it on Youtube. Enlisting Youtube review channel to cover this issue is a good idea.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T06:33:49+00:00

    Hey my wife has the same problem, the surface 4 was working flawlessly for nearly a year.  The flickers started happening after major Windows surface updates in the last month. 

    This seems to be a pretty popular, widely known problem:

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

    It would be nice if Microsoft would actually have some good customer service a-la Amazon and give a customary, free solution and fix to this issue.  It's pretty BS to have these issues within 1 year, when it seems to be related to Windows Updates forced down our throats by Microsoft.  I've been buying Macbooks that run 5 years strong and don't have these problems.  My wife will be the next Apple customer if Microsoft can't help fix this, FOR FREE (you make plenty of money).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T06:22:21+00:00

    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.

    I'm not a web dev either but i'm willing to contribute. If you want to start a repo or just use wordpress or something let us know. You can basically just copy this: http://www.staingate.org/ but call it flickergate.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments