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
    2017-11-16T15:10:34+00:00

    hello everybody,

    THIS IS HARDWARE ISSUE!!!

    I think that I know the cause of this issue, the problem is the screen put above CPU, when we use heavy software make CPU too hot, I think that it do break the screen

    Talk about my surface pro4, I bought since 2016, and when it's out of warranty it has been screen Flickering and Shacking. and my country can't replacement screen for it

    Today I open the screen get out and I see the cause, my screen still shaking and i use dryer attack on my screen the place near CPU, the shaking dissappear and when temperature drop down it shake again

    I have recorded video on the link sorry about a bad quality because youtube don't keep my original video when upload

    https://youtu.be/SPLfM0iPBMs

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-16T05:38:52+00:00

    I suggest you replace it immediately. It should be the hardware problem.  So far no statement by Microsoft. If the warranty expired, you need pay for the replacement and get a refurbish one.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-16T05:28:49+00:00

    Is there any kind of indication of a time frame?  I wish they would at least tell us if we are supposed to wait or go ahead and attempt a replacement.

    I have no Microsoft store near me, but have an opportunity to get my SP4 to one via travelling friends. within the next few days.

    My device is still under warranty (Complete), but only for 2 more months.  I experienced the screen shaking, but today after brining up my device after about a week (strangely the battery drained to 0% even though I turned it completely off) it has not experienced shaking all day.  I even tried to put it under heavy load.  I might try to reset the device again since the shaking always came up during a refresh.

    Should I try to send it in not knowing if they can reproduce the issue or should I try to wait hoping for an official statement or fix, but allow my warranty to expire?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-16T03:18:26+00:00

    Surface pro 4, i5, 256G

    Start flickering and shaking from two weeks ago. CPU is not heavily used. The shaking will happen when use surface for about 2-3 hours. A litter worm in the back but not hot. The shaking happens every day since the first flickering happens.

    Has already out of the warranty. The sales tell me I need pay $450 to replace it.

    I quite doubt it's worth to replace it. I am afraid it will happen on the replaced computer also.

    Very regret to buy surface pro 4. Now I have to use it with a second monitor.

    It is a desktop now.

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