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
    2018-11-10T01:19:50+00:00

    In Australia, just contact Microsoft Tech support, they will email details fkr the third party to receive the SP.. then you get a “refurbished” (read... formatted) SP4 where you can excitedly wait a week or months for the Microsoft version of Swan Lake to begin....... but only when its 9pm and you have deadlines for morning to meet.

    Why dont Microsoft just admit they stuffed up and just give a hefty discount on a SP6 or will this new SP have the same issues??

    I travel overseas frequently and need reliability so I went over to the dark side and purchased a iPad Pro 12.9” with keyboard and pen ..... it aint no SP, thats for sure.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-11-09T23:39:13+00:00

    Hi There,

    Mine has only started doing this in the past couple of months or so. I love my Surface Pro but I find I can only use it for an hour or so at a time now before the flickering starts. How do we get a replacement. I bought mine back in 2015.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-11-05T15:37:44+00:00

    Well I sent mine off June 30th ... got it back in about a week (I live in Canada).  Been using it everyday since then.

    The screen started shaking 4 days ago (today Nov 5th).  Called MS and am about to ship my refurb unit out.

    Hope you have better luck.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-11-03T06:00:45+00:00

    FInally got my Surface Pro 4 replaced (just in time as I bought it on launch day). Was a bit of a hazzle as I don't live in the US. Fortunately a friend was visiting another friend who lives in San Diego and he was able to take it to him, then my friend in San Diego shipped it to Microsoft and got it back. After a month I got it back today.

    So far so good, Getting some heavy load as I am installing the Windows updates and all my programs, no signs of that ugly flickering yet. Hope it stays like that. Refubrished model looks really nice, looks and feels like new with a brand new battery (0 cycles  according to the Battery Report).

    Hoping this one doesn't develop this issue from hell!

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