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
    2018-05-11T07:06:16+00:00

    Of course it's going to flicker - because it's a hardware problem, a well-known one that Microsoft refuses to acknowledge the existence of or take responsibility for. And if the machine is out-of-warranty, then the customer has absolutely no recourse whatsoever. 

    And Microsoft is perfectly ok with this, it seems. 

    I will never, ever voluntarily buy a Microsoft product again after this debacle. Microsoft should be ashamed of how it's treated its customers.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-11T05:54:15+00:00

    Hi Abbas,

    I raised the same problem in my ticket here https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/flickering-screen-on-surface-pro-4/508775d1-36c7-4d87-9ce1-ac96793f12d5?messageId=5707c9de-83c1-4492-9373-74dc9e970b51

    Today I received a reply suggesting to run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (SDT) - to determine if this is a hardware issue.

    Only problem for anyone following this instruction in the US is that as per item 6 of the SDT T&Cs as below - if you agree to this you forgo a host of rights to take action against Microsoft including joining class-action suits.

    I just wanted to highlight this as:

    a) I think it is completely reprehensible to include this in the T&C's and cannot think of a single legitimate reason for doing so (only reason I can think of is to reduce the pool of people available to join class action).

    b) It suggests there is some concern about the potential success of such suits and given the lack of formal response from Microsoft to date then this is something all those affected and potentially able to take action should consider.

    Adam

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-10T23:30:12+00:00

    This problem started in the beginning of May. I've tried fixing it already with the stated suggestions. It's really frustrating. Any solutions? Any updates from Microsoft? 

    :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-10T23:24:08+00:00

    I'm not sure if you can see this or not fan inside the computer does not work all the time. the pic is how hot it must get at times. the screen is beginning to lift rate off the Computer frame.  It does stay cooler and not flash so much. I'm going to add to the law suite page.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments