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
    2017-11-30T15:02:59+00:00

    it's a real shame so many have to waste time

    writing scripts, uninstalling drivers, re-installing w10, etc. etc.

    firmware, just like a driver, is software. it'd be an intentional bug/feature to exhibit this random flickering.  it has to be some chip that is on its way to death.

    my solution was to drop the SP4 onto the carpet from a height of say 3 feet.

    jitter occurrence has decreased to a tolerable level.  for now.

    you all remember the old remedy of clearing up the old tv screen:

    kick the darn thing...

    seriously, it is time for a large android for me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-30T10:36:14+00:00

    Initially after I downgrade my surface driver to before May 2017 update this year, the screen flickering problem is solved. Then few days ago I did another windows update and the problem return.

    If I am in the US, I will sue Microsoft already for all the **** I have with this issue. It is clearly they are not fixing the bug. It is the driver. 

    Hi Iting36,

    How long did you have the downgrade?  Only a few days it would be hard to tell if it was a permanent fix or only temporary one.

    I will try to do the same and turn off the auto upgrade and see if it lasts.

    Thanks for the idea,

    the early days of the problem is like that, you do this and it's fixed, you do that and it's fixed, but after a while it stops responding to things, it just flickers all day long, all screen space.... so whoever thinks it's a driver or windows 10, don't ... because EUFI/BIOS flickers, so it's not related to a driver or windows, it's a firmware or hardware problem. don't waste your time fellow SP4, it's been months of heavy troubleshooting and trying everything. 

    unless the GIANT (now small) computer company acts, there is no way we're gonna use it again ... 

    Any suggestions of similar devices from other brands? (I only use apple devices, but since there is no similar device from them, this company is kicking us in the but)

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-30T10:20:14+00:00

    Initially after I downgrade my surface driver to before May 2017 update this year, the screen flickering problem is solved. Then few days ago I did another windows update and the problem return.

    If I am in the US, I will sue Microsoft already for all the **** I have with this issue. It is clearly they are not fixing the bug. It is the driver. 

    Hi Iting36,

    How long did you have the downgrade?  Only a few days it would be hard to tell if it was a permanent fix or only temporary one.

    I will try to do the same and turn off the auto upgrade and see if it lasts.

    Thanks for the idea,

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-30T08:22:23+00:00

    Flickering has returned for me as well while on single tab chrome. Without doing any microsoft updates though.

    SP4 i7, Bought in 2016

    Last update was  on the 15th Nov: 2017-11 security update for flash player for Wins 10 1709

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