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
    2017-11-06T07:25:49+00:00

    How did you get a reading of temperature?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-06T06:44:27+00:00

    Its a Surface Pro 4 but bought in June 2017 so old stock.

    I stand corrected about the fan, but have never heard it in mine.

    Anyway, it doesn't get that hot but normal operating temp was enough to aggravate the display issue.

    As mentioned earlier, the display issue is now gone after the recent updates.

    I'll report back if it plays up again.

    The problem has resurfaced, coinciding with higher ambient temps.

    Up to around 25 degrees Celsius ambient temp it works fine. Once the ambient temp is up around 30C it requires an external fan, and sometimes that isn't enough.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-06T03:03:29+00:00

    I'm also having this issue.  I'm not sure if the Fall Creator Update cause it, but I noticed it after the update.

    I'm going to completely wipe my device to see if that resolves it and if not then at least my device is wiped before it becomes totally unusable.

    Hasn't there been any official Microsoft response on this?  Seems like it's a big issue with Surface Pro 4.   Now I understand and agree with Consumer Reports decision to not recommend Surface products.

    I won't be buying a Surface product again unless this issue is addressed by Microsoft.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-05T22:52:29+00:00

    I have this problem and it happened shortly after installing the Creator's Update and I bought my Surface in January 2016. On a cold boot-up (first turn on of the day) the problem is not there. However, after an hour of use it begins to start "shaking and jittering" and after several hours the "shake" size is about 10 pixels above the original image. The top centimeter of the display does not have any shake.

    Sometimes, if there's nothing moving on the screen and it's still, it stops. But the second I move my mouse it begins again.

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