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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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]

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-05T01:04:34+00:00

    Hi,

    It does not seem a software-related problem.

    I have installed the latest update for my surface.

    The flickering screen problem is getting worse now. (not sure if it is because of summer time with higher temperature)

    I have no choice but bought an external screen so at least I can work.

    The flickering/shaking screen issue that you are experiencing may be due to software-related concern. This could be addressed by 

    Thanks,

    Wilkins

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-04T14:52:27+00:00

    Well, i request quote for a trade in Surface Pro 4 in order to buy a new surfacebook from Microsoft website. This is what Microsoft partner reply me in the email, they accept trade in with SGD $30-60 for a FAULTY SCREEN, see screenshot as proof. I though my Surface Pro 4 i5,8GB Ram, 256GB SSD without crack/dent at least worth for SGD $1000, look like i think too much.

    Microsoft support, if you see this can you contact me?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-04T14:03:50+00:00

    Why are you imagining that strong magnets could be the problem?!

    Try placing a strong magnet around your Surface... any effect? No.

    Try placing your Surface in the freezer for a while, and see if the screen problem gets better... Yes!

    Try playing videos, or pushing the processor to 100% by some heavy computation...screen problem is worse.

    IMHO, the problem is almost certainly heat.. some poor design in heat sinking, or dissipation, or failure of the thermal conductive paste.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-04T08:15:58+00:00

    After looking at everything possible you can try with updates and hearing hardware damage theories, as a system and hardware guy, I think the magnets theory makes a lot of sense. The majority of surface pros are breaking just after warranty and start having unusual display issues that are not consistent in nature. Could it be that Microsoft have put too strong a magnets in close proximity to parts that get affect by this over time?

    Regards

    Gavin

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments