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
    2019-03-28T14:05:42+00:00

    This message is for everyone who is trying to replace their sp4.

    I've replaced one by not calling them but by contacting them via chat.

    Go to Microsoft support page, there you can see their assistant (it's a robot).

    Chat with her, in the end she will ask whether it resolved your problem, just say no.

    Do this 2-3 times on the same chat, and say that your problem is not solved. In the end she will give a suggestion of talking to a live ms agent. There you go.

    Now you have contacted a ms agent, say about replacing sp4, they sure will.

    Good luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-03-28T12:50:43+00:00

    Thanks Barb

    I will be in UK later this year and will attempt to resolve from there but my biggets problem has been to try to contact MS at all to find out their policy.

    Not quite the same if you want to pay them for something!!

    Looks like I may have to phone the UK number from Kenya, go through the whole robot process, be asked to wait and then get cut off after 20 minutes

    Lets see but thanks again

    Rob W

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  3. Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2019-03-28T12:25:38+00:00

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4230448/surface-pro-4-screen-flicker

    This is Microsoft's response if you live in an unsupported country:

    "We appreciate your response. As an alternative option, if you have a friend

    and/or relative who are residing/lives in an official launch/released country,

    he or she will be able to set up the service (repair/replacement) request on

    your behalf. Then he/she can visit this link on how to get it serviced.

    Please be advised that in this scenario, sending the device to and from the

    non-launch country to friends or family in a launch country and then to the

    exchange center and back is a customer's responsibility. Microsoft will only pay

    for shipping to and from the exchange center and an address in an official

    launch country. The option to ship directly to an exchange center from a

    non-launch country is currently unavailable."  From:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/message/3e8b7496-8a72-4d9a-9917-df8a3cef2dfe?threadId=5cdbee24-89ec-4ee4-9ba3-9de18caf46f1

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-03-28T12:10:40+00:00

    Dear Sir / Madam

    I have a Surface Pro 4 which i purchased through Amazon UK two years ago, though I reside in Nairobi, Kenya. The screen flickering started six months or so ago and been has now made the machine unusable after 45 minutes of use.

    Microsoft has, without the doubt the most difficult and bizarrely circular way of finding out how to resolve the issue - I have been unable to speak to a human being about this issue to date (other than the secretary at you Nairobi branch who told me that they were unable to offer any advice).

    My question is simple - can you replace my tablet or have I purchased a $1000 coffee mat?

    I understand it may need to be replaced in the country of purchase but to try and find any MS policy on the matter has been painful to say the least.

    Looking forward to any kind of helpful response.

    Robert Woffenden

    Number on machine as printed

    3824 7723

    091704761853

    (barcode)

    05/05/2017 11 20 27

    SURFAPRO415128

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