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
    2017-02-27T21:23:05+00:00

    Absolutely.  I see the issue in UEFI but I'm still wondering if its firmware driven as I'm confident it isn't a heat issue based on the temps reported by the intel extreme utility and my device doesn't feel terribly hot.

    There are a bunch of threads that have popped up recently regarding this though there are a few that popped up referencing the issue in Oct.

    For example this one:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-screen-jumpingflicker/5d68978b-5298-43da-a4d9-e0662d85d5ec#

    Someone has posted a suggested fix that if you reinstall a file from the update when the flickering occurs it apparently goes away for a while before returning.  I am dnloading the files to try it out myself.  

    Update, I tried dnloading and reinstalling the firmware as suggested and it didn't have any impact.

    The most recent firmware update occurred in Jan according to this

    https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/install-update-activate/surface-pro-4-update-history

    A whole bunch of recent threads exist related to this issue:

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-screen-shake-freeze-horizontal-lines/022f46b4-775d-42f7-92ef-dd9f7f9e25b5

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfsearch/screen-shake/77f46407-52c3-4608-97e1-68b563c6b215

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfrepair/surface-pro-4-graphics-glitch-flickering/2106e0b9-242c-47c1-bda1-46e49d1ce4ce

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfperf/surface-pro-4-acts-up/3be5877a-08ca-4536-9cbe-c8ac60b6b63e

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-screen-shake/8d2b335b-e4e2-4869-a9cc-38900865b0f7

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfrepair/vibrating-screen-and-end-of-warranty-support/3ec38581-e44d-4e35-b3f9-4747d9b1af8f

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-display-issue/cd1f17b8-e62e-4f36-9dc5-3bb3256a672f

    - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfrepair/surface-pro-4-vibrating-screen/066c1cf6-c106-48fb-b697-0ba1081020ea

    Those are just what I found before I got through 10 pages of recent threads.

    I really hope this is a firmware issue that can be resolved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-02-08T17:33:17+00:00

    Let's try the following:

    1. Go to Start.
    2. Select Settings > System > Apps & Features.
    3. Check to see if Duet Display is listed under installed software. If Duet Display is in the apps list, uninstall it.

    If the above resolves the issue, please be advised that we are currently working with Duet Display to have this fixed permanently. If you still experience blinking, flickering,or color shifting, we would want to inform you that we are tracking this experience and working hard to get this resolved as soon as possible. Please keep checking Windows Update often for the fix.

    Regards.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-02-14T10:40:59+00:00

    I have the same problem.

    Do't know what to do about it.

    Will appreciate help to solve this problem.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-02-14T10:01:52+00:00

    Hi SteveG47,

    Thanks for the helpful reply and an awful news :P . I checked the UEFI screen and its blurring unfortunately. Replacing the device is too hard for me but I am still figuring out how to transfer all my work to an alternative device while I wait for almost a month for the replacement. It will be a blow to both my reputation and budget. 

    Anyways, I really appreciate for your straightforward answer. Microsoft should at least provide more training to support agent then what a windows insider gains from His/Her own experience.  Thanks again, and for surface team, I can just curse you guys.

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