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
    2017-05-03T01:44:00+00:00

    I had setup the clock in the taskbar to show second, this help the screen stop flickering, but as I read above, many people did this and after some months the screen got flicker very badly again. Now my only option is to wait for some more months. If Microsoft cannot solve it, the only solution for me is to pay for the shipping fee to US for replacement. But it's very likely the new one will have the same problem, as many people in this thread mentioned. Poor me, paying a high price and now have to face this pain in the back.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-01T22:53:25+00:00

    Is it actually possible to bundle all the threads concerning this issue with this one here? For example 

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro4-surfdrivers/surface-pro-4-screen-shakingshuddering-up-and-down/02127c25-b110-4c8a-9292-3abd5d6d9c34

    describes the exact same issue, not sure if there any other open threads, very possible.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-01T21:52:39+00:00

    Wishing you the best.

    Hopefully Microsoft has sorted themselves out and the replacement indeed doesn't get the same issue. They assured me in the same way yet that didn't stop the shaking from reoccurring on my 2nd SP4.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-01T21:42:47+00:00

    I used to have a Toshiba core 2 duo that I used for almost six year!. I went premium for the first time and I pay 1600 $ + shipping for this machine. I really hope Microsoft gives us positive answer about this problem.

    We are all still waiting on feedback from Microsoft, hopefully sooner than later. My screen shaking is also getting progressively worse.. I have to use a monitor 90% of the time now which defeats the purpose of an ultraportable.

    You've highlighted my point exactly. Its disappointing that Microsoft's own premium hardware line is suffering faults such as this when budget OEM devices go 5, 10 years with nothing but loss in performance. I was expecting to get the best of Windows in purchasing a Surface

    Anyway hopefully they find a solution soon. I'm still constant reaching out to them on twitter with no luck

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