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
    2017-06-13T04:58:44+00:00

    Well is your problematic machine surface pro 4 or older gen? If it's an old gen, I guess the problem has been existing for a while and the chance for MS to solve it is lower...

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-13T03:37:04+00:00

    Did Microsoft reply to this thread? 

    I have been using Surface from firt gen to current Pro4. I have one of those machine with similar problem. 

    Will really appreciate any help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-12T14:50:46+00:00

    It is so funny that we have to pay to microsoft CS to solve THEIR hardware problem. Clearly it is an extraordinary service that others never do that (my wife use a Dell Latitude, and had her laptop misfunction by her own fault, but Dell CS still possitively offered an acceptable deal and she was happy with it. Back to our case, anyone can send this topic to any famous website of reviewing devices to draw attention? It is unacceptable that MS keep ignoring an show no respect to their customer like this.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-12T13:53:15+00:00

    I've had my Surface Pro 4 since release and the flickering is now so distracting I'm unable to make use of the system. I would replace the system but since the problem is specific to the Surface Pro 4 line I think i may end up throwing £400 down the drain to have Microsoft simply fob me off with yet another unit that will eventually have the same issue.

    Does anyone know of a method of contacting Microsoft Customer Support regarding this issue without having to pay $29 to be told to pay a further £400 to replace the system? Come to think of it has Microsoft made any kind of statement in regards to this issue or are they simply sweeping it under the carpet?

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