Surface Pro 7 flickers with every external monitor

Anonymous
2019-12-19T15:19:53+00:00

When I connect an external display while the Surface is already turned on, the external display is flickering. When I restart the Surface with the external monitor already attached everything works fine. Disconnecting the Surface then and reconnecting

  • same problem. The flickering appears with different monitors, different cables and with different connectors (Surface Dock or USB-C). I have the 16 GB, i7 Version of the Surface 7 with an up to date OS.
Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-01-25T14:55:24+00:00

    Hey Microsoft, i have this Modell (Surface Pro (5. Gen), Modell 1796 i7) and it's exactly the same Problem.

    What i recognized is that the flickering mostly happens when using full screen Apps but not exclusively...

    Thanks for providing a solution for us!

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-01-26T22:23:48+00:00

    Sadly, I just replaced my Surface Pro 4 (bulging battery and only a 90 day warranty with that unless you get a new one) and was seeing the exact same issue with one of two screens dropping out and coming back.  I'm running dual 3440x1440 ultrawide LGs on a Surface Dock.  What seems to have worked for me is this. 

    1. Reset the Surface Dock, which is something I usually try first anyway. (still did it)
    2. Flushed the display with the registry file on this thread. (still did it)
    3. Validated that the Surface Dock was up to date (still did it)
    4. Manually updated to the latest driver (still did it)
    5. Finally, looked at all the modes and changed to one with a slightly lower frequency  THIS!!  (seems to work so far)

    Check all your modes.  Mine supports 3440x1440 @ 60Hz and that is the recommended mode, but it was dropping and coming back.

    Once I changed it to another mode that was supported, in this case 3440x1440 @50Hz, I have not seen the flicker.  It has only been a couple of hours, but it seems to be working.  

    I think this is only a workaround as it should be stable at the 60Hz as my SP4 was. 

    You can get to this via the Advanced Properties.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-02-20T20:50:37+00:00

    I  also have the same issue. None of the solutions helps. The only thing that helps temporarely is Flushing the registry file.

    It always puzzles me how little real support from Microsoft we get on issues like this.

    I tend to agree that an older driver might help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-03-17T02:12:14+00:00

    I am using a new Surface 7.  All updates have been applied.  Was seeing screen flickering and, hazy resolution and loss of visibility on externally mounted monitors.

    Thank you for this hint.  I have applied the same to my screens.  I will know in a couple of hours if this is successful.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-03-17T02:23:32+00:00

    I still have to occasionally unplug the surface dock because the two external monitors duplicate and will not extend (even though it says it is in the Display Settings).  I have had a few BSODs as well.  Most of the time this is when the surface wakes up from sleep mode when I have been away for a bit.  

    I hope it helps you as well, even if it is just temporary.

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