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
    2018-03-31T12:07:53+00:00

    I have exactly the same problem.

    Some black lines on the top of the screen.

    The screen will even start shaking sometimes.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-31T10:35:59+00:00

    Ahhhh I just started researching this. I have had the same issue for a few weeks now. I shall try these updates.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-31T08:33:53+00:00

    Hey Guys,

    I agreed that it is a heating issue, and to fix that issue in short-term is to cool the device.

    I have been searching apps to start the CPU fan manually but have no success.[SP4, I5,]

    I remembered back in the days, the fan will kick off after the device became warm(by touching the back), only after a firmware update the fan literally stopped.

    In light of this, are there any ways to start the fan on a surface pro?

    Many thanks in advance.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-31T00:18:13+00:00

    I thought before that it was software. In fact, just tonight I had a strange experience in which I got the jitters every time I switched to WhatsApp for Win but it stopped every time I switched back to Edge. That was weird. However, after a while the jumping continued regardless.

    I was finally able to prove (at least to myself ) that there may be a heating problem.

    I am using it even now and when the flickering starts, I spray compressed gas into the vents. I use one of the compressed gas dusters with the straw attached to the nozzle. You have to make sure that the straw is tightly placed over the vent holes. Observations:

    1. I found that it is most effective when I spray on the left side vents just above the kick stand hinge. It only stops for a few minutes or so but enough to prove the point. 
    2. It also stops if I just spray the air on the screen area (lower left).  
    3. I stop spraying when the screen stops shaking. This seems to coincide with the fan slowing almost to a halt or completely stops. 

    Try at your own risk - I am always wary of spraying air on live electronics as there may be moisture in the sprayed air. 

    PS. For a heating problem, the worst possible cause is a faulty chip design (I note that the new SP uses the Intel HD 620 while the SP4 uses the HD520). The "best" possible cause may just be faster-than-expected aging of any thermal grease used between the  graphics and/or CPU chips and their heat sinks (is there one in the SP4?). The latter could explain why the device starts exhibiting this problem after a year or so or even when it just starts up and the fan is off as others have reported. Oops ... Gotta spray again.   

    I hate recommending this, but you could also try a fan directed at the back of the device, or underclocking the processor.

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