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
    2017-12-14T07:20:30+00:00

    EVERYONE, THIS IS A HARDWARE FAULT! 100% HARDWARE!

    NO FIRMWARE, SOFTWARE UPDATES OR WINDOWS RE-INSTALLATIONS WILL RESOLVE THIS ISSUE!

    THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE IT IS TO HAVE YOUR FAULTY DEVICE REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW UNIT!

    Maybe we should ask MS to clarify which part of hardware causing this flickering problem (the lcd screen maybe), so that we can send to local repair center for part replacement with less cost, compare to paying $500 + postage fee for out of warranty replacement

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-14T03:51:45+00:00

    that's a 1k+ replies thread discussing this issue on this forum, you may have a look:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-screen-flickering-shacking/570165cb-50a0-4d71-bcb1-310ddd869d1d

    here a website created by affected SP4 owner: https://flickergate.com/

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-14T03:46:34+00:00

    thanks for sharing, can I know which part of HW causing this shaking problem? The repair center near Chicago is it Microsoft repair center or third party?

    Me too struggled with this problem almost half year, since my warranty expired and MS abandoned us, I have to look for alternative way to fix it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-14T03:46:02+00:00

    Pay $1000+ for a computer and Microsoft could absolutely care less whether it actually works. Conveniently after my warranty ends I also started getting the flickering issue.Tried all the recommended fixes but nothing works. Finally accepting that its an internal hardware problem...Microsoft needs to take responsibility for this!!! This computer was supposed to get me through grad school! 

    Side note--does anyone else notice that their fan has stopped coming on? I used to hear it all the time when I was in class since its pretty loud but since the issue started the fan hasn't come on once. 

    PLEASE HELP MICROSOFT!!!!!!! I'm a full-time grad student I can't afford another computer! Seriously even just a discount on a new computer would be helpful.. just anything at this point.

    to anyone looking to buy a surface: don't (unless you can afford to replace it in a year)

    now I understand why everyone uses macs.

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