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
    2019-06-19T03:51:37+00:00

    I purchased surface pro 4 in 3/22/2016. I am very upset that the surface pro 4 has issues of screen flicking and shaking starting sometime in 2018. I thought it maybe over heated, so I just shut down the surface pro. I bought Apple IMAC in March 2018, so I have used Apple IMAC extensively.  Recent months, the screen shaking problem for surface pro 4 became worse to the point that the all the letters have double imaging, I had headache by watching the screen.

    Today searched google and realized that this is a hardware issue and I should have reported the issue to Microsoft. I called Microsoft and was told that Microsoft can replace the surface pro 4 upto 3 years from the purchase, since I purchased it on 3/22/2016, I need to pay $450 for the replacement. I said no.

    Microsoft failed to send notification to its customer on the timely reporting the screen scrambling/shaking issue to meet their 3 years replacement window. If I knew that it is a hardware issue and I need to report to Microsoft, I would have done that before March 2019 to qualify for the replacement.

    I am very disappointed with the quality of the MS product. They should have the surface pro 4 recalled. They should not put the restriction to upto 3 years for the product warranty on such issue which they are responsible, especially in my case, the screen shaking issue occurred within 3 years of purchase but Microsoft failed to send us the notification so I did not know that I need to report it to Microsoft.  

    I believe Microsoft should replace the surface pro 4 for its customer on the screen flicking/shaking issue for free.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-16T12:51:51+00:00

    But my Surface pro 4's screen just start going dumb by flicker screen and it started after the warranty ran out, so can I get a replacement option for this problem?

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-06-11T22:08:32+00:00

    Very true! 😉

    I did talk with customer service today. It did take a lot of working through the automated system, but I got through. Since it is still under 3 years from my purchase date they are going to cover it under the warranty since this is a known problem on the hardware for some of the Surface Pros. They did offer a $200 credit towards a newer device, but it's only $450 to replace for another Pro 4 out of warranty. In my opinion it's ridiculous that I can replace a device that cost me $1500 for $450 and the new devices with my same specs are $1500 so why can I just get on of those for $450? Why would anyone pay $450 to replace for the same device that could end up with the same issues? Anywho, mine is covered, so I won't have to pay for a replacement...yet.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-06-11T19:52:18+00:00

    I have the exact same problem. I’m not too sure there is a solution, but hopefully someone can help us out!

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