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. Barb Bowman 80,815 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2018-03-28T18:34:44+00:00

    https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Pro+4+Teardown/51568

    >Does anybody know if the lithium battery is located at the lower left area? from what I can see the problem is caused by something swelling up inside the tablet. Anything else than the battery that can swell up like this?

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-28T18:07:24+00:00

    Hi Barb

    Thx for your inputs, but I think I am a bit on my own here in Thailand?

    >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.

    I dont know if it has only started or if it is ending here, but who wish to see a top end lap top starting to open op like a can of tuna?

    There is like a 2-3 cm vertical light brown mark on the display, but I guess it is because the display is not meant to be bent at all.

    I did notice the brown marking before I saw the display opening yesterday.

    Does anybody know if the lithium battery is located at the lower left area? from what I can see the problem is caused by something swelling up inside the tablet. Anything else than the battery that can swell up like this?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-28T15:15:55+00:00

    What about the m-processor surface pros, I heard they don't have a fan in them. Do they also get the same flickering issue?

    Kind regards

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-28T14:42:11+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. 

    For me it is an over head issue. 

    Once the laptop starta getting hot it starts flickering a little. The fans come on and tge flickering is all over the place

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