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
    2018-07-24T10:36:36+00:00

    Good luck with that.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-07-24T09:39:37+00:00

    Thanks Bryan,

    I think everyone here is starting to get the picture that MSP4 devices either have a poor soldering issue or whatever that causes a lot of devices to start showing display issues after a year to a year and a half of use.

    Replacing them with another potential time bomb of having to reset all your config and docs is not fixing the issue. Would you have anything to comment on this other than repeating the same refurb message you have posted.

    Regards

    Gavin

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-23T22:47:43+00:00

    I agree with those who will never buy a Microsoft product again.  In fact, to replace my SP4, I just purchased a Lenovo X1 Tablet (which comes with a pen and keyboard) and so far everything just works.  My SP4 developed the video problems literally three days after my warranty expired and MS was unwilling to do anything about it.  Then, after updated software was finally released which ameliorated the problem, the unit begins to no longer charge the battery (the "plugged in, not charging" problem). Right now I essentially have a "modern" computer that's useless.

    Thanks, Microsoft, I'll be sure NOT to buy another hardware product of your again.

    Joe

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-07-23T21:29:13+00:00

    How is this with a Surface Book 2? I just bought one of those instead.  Haven't hooked it up to a monitor yet, am afraid to.

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