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 No 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 No comments

2,779 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-08T07:47:54+00:00

    Welcome to the club my friend... Screen flickering is an hardware issue that even Microsoft surface engineer's can't figure out.. Now you can either send your surface for the so called "Microsoft surface pro 4 free replacement program" in which your surface will be replaced by a refurbished unit or you can instead wasting your time, buy a new laptop. 

    The replacement program is a scam cos the refurbished unit will also start flickering in due course of time, Microsoft made a product and can't figure out what's wrong with it. 

    Not a small percentage but thousands of surface pro 4 owners are doomed by a costly piece of surface pro 4 s**t.

    Take this as a lesson learnt in life and don't  buy Microsoft products ever.

    Really agree with you. After months frustration dealing with the flickering.. All of a sudden my sp4 die. Totally cannot turn on. This product is really a pile of s**t with premium price..

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-08T07:29:32+00:00

    Welcome to the club my friend... Screen flickering is an hardware issue that even Microsoft surface engineer's can't figure out.. Now you can either send your surface for the so called "Microsoft surface pro 4 free replacement program" in which your surface will be replaced by a refurbished unit or you can instead wasting your time, buy a new laptop. 

    The replacement program is a scam cos the refurbished unit will also start flickering in due course of time, Microsoft made a product and can't figure out what's wrong with it. 

    Not a small percentage but thousands of surface pro 4 owners are doomed by a costly piece of surface pro 4 s**t.

    Take this as a lesson learnt in life and don't  buy Microsoft products ever.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-08T06:50:31+00:00

    To anyone who knows the answer,

    A few days ago, I used my SP4 for an extended period of time, more than 10 minutes after it started flickering even with task manager on. Now my screen is permanently flickering fast in any app except for Microsoft edge. The flickering makes me nauseous, and even thought I restarted the device once, it still isn't gone. Is this a system problem or a physical computer components problem? I hope this can be fixed soon, and as a clarification, my device was bought 2 years and around 9-10 months ago.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-07T13:24:46+00:00

    I got this problem few month ago, but after an update, the problem disappear. Got a windows update this morning, and now the screen is flicking and shaking again.

    But if I open task manager and put it on the screen, the flicking stops, so now I have to work like this...keep the task manager on the right side of the screen.

     

    Same to Me :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments