How to fix screen jumping and screen flickering on Surface Pro 4?

Vicky Olson 0 Reputation points
2026-04-18T21:03:04.7366667+00:00

The screen on my Surface Pro 4 jumps and flickers constantly. How can I fix this, please??

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen
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  1. S.Sengupta 31,626 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-04-19T00:16:11.1366667+00:00

    Make sure your Surface and its drivers are fully up to date. Microsoft has released firmware patches specifically targeting this issue. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates, especially display/firmware updates.

    Disable Hyper-V

    Boot into UEFI (BIOS):

    Shut down → hold Volume Up + Power

    If flickering still happens there → it’s definitely hardware.

    If your device is still under warranty or extended support, you may qualify for a free repair or replacement. Even out of warranty, it's worth contacting Microsoft Support, as they have offered exceptions for this known issue.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-18T21:03:20.0866667+00:00

    Screen flickering and jumping on Surface Pro 4 is typically caused either by a Windows/display driver issue or by a known hardware “scramble” problem on some Surface Pro 4 devices.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Install all Surface and Windows updates
    • Make sure all the latest Surface and Windows Updates are installed. These updates are designed to keep the device in an optimal state and can fix many display issues.
    1. Check if it is a driver/software issue (Task Manager test)
    • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and open Task Manager (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
      • If Task Manager flickers together with the rest of the screen, the display driver is likely the cause. See step 3 (fix display driver).
      • If Task Manager does not flicker while the rest of the screen does, an app is likely causing the problem. In that case, update or uninstall recently installed or suspicious apps.
    1. Fix the display driver (if Task Manager also flickers)
    • Roll back the display driver (if the issue started after an update):
      1. In the taskbar search box, type device manager and open it.
      2. Expand Display adapters.
      3. Right-click the display adapter → Properties.
      4. Go to the Driver tab → select Roll Back Driver → Yes.
      5. Restart the device.
    • If rollback is not available or does not help, update the display driver:
      1. In Device Manager, expand Display adapters.
      2. Right-click the adapter → Update driver.
      3. If needed, get the latest driver from the PC/display adapter manufacturer.
    • If updating does not help, uninstall the display driver so Windows can reinstall it:
      1. In Device Manager, expand Display adapters.
      2. Right-click the adapter → Properties.
      3. On the Driver tab, select Uninstall Device.
      4. Check Delete the driver software for this device (if available) → OK.
      5. Restart the device so Windows attempts to reinstall the driver.
      • If the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox is missing, make sure the PC is started in Safe Mode as described in the article.
    1. Check for Surface Pro 4 “scramble” hardware issue If the screen shows persistent flickering or a scrambled pattern even after updates and driver fixes, the device may be affected by the known Surface Pro 4 scramble issue.

    To confirm this:

    1. Ensure all Surface and Windows Updates are installed.
    2. Shut down the device: Start → Power → Shutdown.
    3. When it is off, press and hold the Volume Up button, then press the Power button once.
    4. The device will boot to the Surface logo and spinning dots, then to UEFI.
    5. Observe the screen in UEFI:
      • If the scramble/flicker is still visible in UEFI, this confirms the device is exhibiting a hardware scramble issue.
      • If there is no scramble/flicker in UEFI, the symptom is not the scramble issue and is more likely software/driver-related.

    If the scramble is confirmed and the device is eligible, contact Microsoft Support to proceed with a replacement. Before sending it in, follow the guidance to prepare your Surface for service.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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