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
    2017-11-05T22:09:25+00:00

    No video yet, and still photo does not capture the problem as good as the naked eyes.

    Anyway, I just took some photos to add.  I used iPhone as comparison to show the difference.

    Photo #1

    Photo #2

    You can see how the words on Surface is blurry/double/ghosting due to the shaking/vibrating.

    I bought my Surface Pro 4 from MS store (online) in sometimes in Novenmber 2015.   So the issue occoured when I have used it for less than two years.   

    Yes, I have filled the survey today before I replied in this thread.   

    Since the problem occured two weeks ago, I have had plenty of time trying to find a fix.  After all attempt failed, I contacted MS support 3 times in total.   I was told there is no way around paying up $450 to them.   Which is beyond lame.   

    Samsung recalled Note 7 after dozens reports of defect.   

    Microsoft sits on piles of thousands report of defect and they want the customers to foot the bills for their defective products.   It is unacceptable.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-05T21:45:51+00:00

    Sorry it didn't resolve your issue.

    Noone deserves to be displeased after purchasing a premium device. Be advised MS will only give a refund w/in 30 days of purchase.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-05T21:42:40+00:00

    I'm sorry that you're experiencing this, but the issue you are describing sounds more like an issue related to adaptive brightness. The issue described in this thread is different.  

    If you turn off adaptive brightness do you still experience the issue?

    Can you also post photos or video of what you're experiencing

    Under Display, uncheck "change brightness automatically when lighting changes"

    This is what users in this thread have been experiencing

    Surface Splash Screen Gif

    Log in Screen

    Blurring

    Persistent Graphics

    Hi Drtigerlilly,

    Thanks for the reply. I thought the adaptive brightness was the issue also so I tried turning off the setting first but didn't fix the problem. Like I mentioned above, after a few hours of use the screen suddenly brightened right up but then that was the trigger for the screen flickering to start. I understand that the issue that this thread is discussing is screen flickering and issues with the display? 

    Either way, the surface is going back to the place of purchase for a replacement. Will definitely be keeping an eye on the replacement and if there is any issues whatsoever it will be going back for a refund and swap over to a different product. Very average for a relatively expensive 'top of the range' product...

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-05T17:23:41+00:00

    The warranty terms prevent us.  However I'm being advised by a lawyer that it's enforcement varies from state to state, we definitely need to put deeper research into this issue.

    Can you outline what has happened with your device?

    Purchase date? When the issue first presented? steps taken to remedy? Share photos or videos of the issue.

    Thank You in advance

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