Users place Microsoft Surface Pro in the freezer to fix screen flicker issue
Well, here's a radical new solution. A number of Microsoft Surface Pro 4 owners are experiencing some really dreadful screen flicker and screen oddities with their device, a solution has been found, it helps (briefly) to place the Surface Pro 4 in the freezer.
At the website Flickergate, users of the Surface Pro 4 have posted many photos and videos displaying the issue precisely (granted it's hard to miss eh?). One guy, George Visvikis, has revealed that the flicker stops when he places the Surface Pro in a freezer, he, however, does emphasize that it is only a temporary solution and that the problem re-emerges after a few minutes. Clearly indicative of an IC overheating or leaking. Flickergate is a website with customers of Microsoft who have invested $1500+ on new Surface Pro devices which have developed screen flickering, rendering the devices unusable.
They claim the flickering normally occurs 1 year after purchase when the warranty is already expired. This means that owners are forced to pay $800 for an out-of-warranty exchange from Microsoft. However, many users also experience the same flickering on their refurbished Surface Pro replacements. Thus far the counter rises, over 1800 customers have complained on Microsoft’s support forums and this number is still growing by the day as the issue is getting more awareness.
Here is a video that displays the issue:
To date, Microsoft has not acknowledged this issue. Website Flickergate recommends potential buyers to AVOID surface pro devices until Microsoft has fixed this problem because there is a high chance that your device will become unusable within a year. It is rumored that it is a hardware problem and that the issue can not be solved through a software update, it's also stated that less than one percent of the tablets have been affected by the problems.
In the video above the example that shows the flickering issue stops (for a little while) after freezing the unit (which honestly can't be good for the device as either & is ill-advised!!). What a sad story that consumers revert to things like this because Microsoft hides behind their expired warranty and their end-users, in the proverbial cold.
Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 46372
Joined: 2000-02-22
It's the means to an end, voices that need to be heard as Microsoft is not dealing with their problem unless they pay 800 bucks for an extended out of warranty exchange.
Senior Member
Posts: 901
Joined: 2013-11-23
Yeah, and I do hope the users can receive help without extending their warranty. And on the surface, this does sound like planned obsolescence from Microsoft, and on the other... You placed it in the freezer.
Guess I can't blame them too much, with the flickering demonstrated the laptop was unusable and if people are desperate enough.
Back to the planned obsolescence thing, it just seems that way since the issue occurs after a year of usage and the warranty is out. Plus, the Surface laptop is clearly not meant for DIY:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Laptop+Teardown/92915
Senior Member
Posts: 2661
Joined: 2013-02-26
They claim the flickering normally occurs 1 year after purchase when the warranty is already expired. This means that owners are forced to pay $800 for an out-of-warranty exchange from Microsoft. However, many users also experience the same flickering on their refurbished Surface Pro replacements. Thus far the counter rises, over 1800 customers have complained on Microsoft’s support forums and this number is still growing by the day as the issue is getting more awareness...
Wait, wait, wait... People are opening their wallets for $1500 and get only 1 year warranty for Surface Pro!?
No way I'm going to drop that kind of money ON ANYTHING (especially if it's a brand new thing) and get only 1 year warranty, no one should make purchases like that.
Senior Member
Posts: 11681
Joined: 2004-05-10
Microshaft
Senior Member
Posts: 901
Joined: 2013-11-23
While this that is some horrid screen flicker, following some random youtubers advise and placing it in the freezer as a " fix " seems really dumb.
" Uh, Hi ! Is this Microsoft tech support? Yeah, uhrm, I threw my laptop in the freezer and the condensation ruined it.... What do you mean this voids the warranty?! "