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
    2020-04-18T23:48:45+00:00

    I have the same problem 14 months after i bought it. repair costs were too high so i decided not to do it. but if i can get tit replaced for free i'd love to do that. The external monitor works perfectly thru hdmi but the surface's monitor flickers like hell therefore it's not the drivers but some hardware issue. either monitor or connection to monitor. What would you advise me to do in order to get a replacement ? Thank you.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-18T22:50:49+00:00

    I checked the Microsoft Website under Support. There is a list of areas and countries and the telephone number to call. This is what I did. The support staff were very helpful.

    Unless your SP4 is still under the 3-year warranty, there is little that Microsoft will do for you, other than sell you another (possibly defective) SP4 at a discount ($500/$600) or, in some cases, a refurbished SP5at a slight discount.

    If your device is still under the 3-yr warranty window, then MSFT will replace your SP4 with another (possibly defective) SP4, along with a 1-yr (not 3-yr) warranty on the replaced device. If the screen flicker comes back after 12 months, then you are out of luck.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-18T21:32:10+00:00

    I checked the Microsoft Website under Support. There is a list of areas and countries and the telephone number to call. This is what I did. The support staff were very helpful.

    What is very helpfull? New Surface pro? No more flickering. Help beyond the 3 year period? Please elaborate.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-04-18T21:05:05+00:00

    I checked the Microsoft Website under Support. There is a list of areas and countries and the telephone number to call. This is what I did. The support staff were very helpful.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments