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

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.

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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
    2018-04-14T07:42:06+00:00

    hello all,

    I think it is more of software issue, 

    when noticed flickering

    I have reset the system to factory defaults

    loaded all the softwares which I am using.

    issue of flicker reappeared.

    Second time

    Reset and I did not install chrome browser, but rest all apps installed. (using the default edge browser instead of chrome)

    Now my screen does not flicker, as well back of the pro 4 is not heating.

    from 3 days I am testing the system and is fine.

    hope this helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-14T04:20:45+00:00

    It is now occurring on my screen also!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-13T12:56:14+00:00

    But they just released a firmware update for the Surface Pro 4 " To add support for Surface Dial". Microsoft I hardly doubt anyone cares about that!! Just make our SP4s usable again!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-04-12T23:08:42+00:00

    I have the same issue on my SP4, just started showing up.  After mouse idle, the screen blurs, almost like double vision.  Not limited to any particular application.

    Originally this issue showed up when the device was somewhat cold, and only the bottom few rows of the screen would render inaccurately with wrong colors, wrong shading, and some doubling.  Eventually it would clear up, then it stopped for a few months, and now I'm experiencing this full screen blurriness that comes on and off when input is inactive.

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