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
    2017-11-03T07:59:51+00:00

    Also note that my model SP4 with core i5 processor doesn't have an internal fan.

    My SP3 i5 with internal fan doesn't have the flickering/shacking display problem.

    Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that the sp4 i5 & i7 both have internal fans and its the 2017  i5 that doesn't.

    I bought my SP4 i5 in June 2017 so I'm pretty sure its a 2017 model. I definitely have never heard a fan operating in it.

    That means its not a sp4, its a sp(2017).

    Thats also interesting to hear because so far this issue has seemingly only affected sp4's, but your statement suggests its a universal issue and sp(2017) users will likely get flickering as well but just later down the line since they're relatively new. 

    The original box it came in and user manual state Surface Pro 4. It came from Singapore if that makes any difference. Maybe old stock ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T07:46:20+00:00

    Also note that my model SP4 with core i5 processor doesn't have an internal fan.

    My SP3 i5 with internal fan doesn't have the flickering/shacking display problem.

    Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that the sp4 i5 & i7 both have internal fans and its the 2017  i5 that doesn't.

    I bought my SP4 i5 in June 2017 so I'm pretty sure its a 2017 model. I definitely have never heard a fan operating in it.

    That means its not a sp4, its a sp(2017).

    Thats also interesting to hear because so far this issue has seemingly only affected sp4's, but your statement suggests its a universal issue and sp(2017) users will likely get flickering as well but just later down the line since they're relatively new.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T07:43:23+00:00

    And Second thing, 

    Here is the website http://surfacescam.com I am still working on it, Hope to get it completed by tonight

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T07:42:26+00:00

    Thanks @tim and all others for the support. 

    First of all, here is the email again screwSurface [@] abbasharoon.me 

    If that's also truncated for so called privacy reason (While they didn't notified me and I can still see my email in my reply). Then mend these pieces 

    1. screwSurface
    2. @
    3. abbasharoon.me

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