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
    2018-01-13T17:19:29+00:00

    Well it was good for a while ... but the problem is back.

    It does take more to trigger the flickering.  Previously just watching a video and browsing the web.  Now it takes a bit more to trigger it.

    Previously I had stated that the this problem was gone for me.  I am stating that it is back.

    I took my SP4 to Square One ... in Ontario, Canada.  The tech people vehemently stated that they have never seen the problem.  After further conversation, one tech admitted to reading (assuming this) forum.

    Their solution is to spend the $500+ (CDN) to get a refurbished unit.  I asked what if the problem comes back.  They said I have the one year warranty.  I told them that this problem showed on my SP4 after 1 year.  I'm not going to throw good money after bad.

    There are around 2000 posts here.  Assuming people post, on average 3 times, thats only ~600 people so far reporting the problem.  I think we are dead in the water.

    The tech at the Microsoft Store in Square One suggested

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=49498

    try reinstalling the drivers.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-12T13:24:10+00:00

    Cheers i have no chrome installed on mine any video or rendering it plays up lol. Microsoft need to take ownership of this problem and state they have f#$@ed up.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-12T13:11:58+00:00

    Hello screen flickers,

    I've owned my Surface Pro 4 since December 2015 and had a problem free experience up until this week.

    I noticed the screen ghosting while watching Netflix in Google Chrome browser, I never really thought much of it so I restarted and I still had weird screen problems. 

    Both the LCD panel and the back of the Surface Pro was HOT.

    After a few things and downloading CPU temp monitors one thing I've noticed a huge improvement for stopping the screen flickering stopping any Google Chrome usage and instead use Edge, also instead of watching Netflix in browser I've downloaded the Netflix app from the store and so far I've had no re-occur of screen flickering. 

    So basically my Surface Pro is OK under minimal load e.g. Checking emails / Word docs / Excel / Light Edge use.

    Cheers Microsoft - soon as this becomes enough and eventually dies I'll not be a returning customer... funnily enough something very similar occurred with my ASUS G1s which again turned out to be a mass problem which the manufacturer refused ownership for any I've not touched another ASUS product.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-12T12:21:38+00:00

    I have exactly the same problem on my surface Pro 4 bought at the end of 2015: it started shaking (randomly) but when it starts it is quite difficult to use it because screen becomes unreadable. So far was my best laptop/tablet ever but now with this issue I dont know...

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