Surface Pro 4, Screen Flickering, Shaking

Anonymous

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:

A video being played in browser
If I keep the touch screen busy by either taping it or keeping a finger on it
If I use the touchpad
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***

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.***

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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]

0 comments

2,779 additional answers

Barb Bowman 80,815 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2018-03-28T13:28:14+00:00

if the battery is swelling, the Microsoft Stores in the US have been replacing

out of warranty - free of charge for most people.

>BUT today, my screen has started to swell. From left lower corner and app. 8 cm up the screen has released itself from the tablet.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-03-28T12:38:58+00:00

Update.

I have primarily used my SP4 via monitor since end of Aug and not experienced any flickering when using in tablet mode, even over longer time.

So I was again a happy owner in regards of the SP4 and started to check up the new surface book last week and actually thinking about getting one next week.

BUT today, my screen has started to swell. From left lower corner and app. 8 cm up the screen has released itself from the tablet.

It has never been dropped or seen water and I need to check purchase date, but app 2 years old. And I think I can throw it in the bin since I bought it in Thailand.

So happy with the product initially, but also so disapointed with the reliability now. Back to Samsung or give Mac a try?

I dont need anything this small if the reliability is as bad as this thread shows.

Warmest part on my SP4 during heavy flickering and just before completely crashing is right above the F7 key.

Temp was 45.8 degrees celcius on the screen just before the laptop crashed and restarted.

At the backside, in the mid of the top half - app 43-44 degrees C

After cooling off 30 mins I detached the SP keyboard and connected a wireless keyboard. But still same problems.

I monitored the temp at the spot above the F7 and it rose from 25 to 40 degrees within 10 mins and now staying around the 40 degrees

I was hoping the external keyboard would help, but it didn't.

Anybody know if the cooling channels on these laptops are so narrow that they need a proper cleaning every year?

Front

https://i.imgur.com/vTBWGyR.jpg

Back

https://i.imgur.com/sw5YUGG.jpg

Zoom

https://i.imgur.com/yoNnJbQ.jpg
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-03-28T10:41:34+00:00

Yeah, usually turning it off for 10 minutes gives you a bit of normal screen reprieve for a while but the flickering on mine easily starts when the machine is very cold so I'm not sure in my case about overheating issues. Screen flickering can start when the surface is idle and has not been creunching anything.

Kind regards
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-03-28T10:30:52+00:00

Hey Gavin,

This could be a fan dysfunction possibility. Ive used my SP4 extensively over the last 2 years without issues with CPU temps well over 60% for sustained periods of time. And ive noticed the fan is variable speed. Now im no hardware guy but i think it does vary with the CPU temp.

I am also quite sure that its an overheat issue. Since i shut down the screen for 10 minutes and switch it on again its fine. for like 30 mins. Could be that a firmware could be messing with the fan inputs and is affecting the optimization for it. Who know. Just seems odd that the same hardware issue would pop up all over the globe, some for new systems and some for old ones like mine. Doesn't seem very plausible.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments