How to Fix Surface Pro Screen Shaking and Flickering

Symptoms of Screen Shaking and Flickering

If you’re experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro, it’s important to understand the common symptoms that usually accompany these problems. By recognizing these telltale signs, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue more effectively. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

Constant or intermittent screen flickering: One of the primary symptoms of a screen shaking issue is the constant or intermittent flickering of the display. This can be highly distracting and make it difficult to use your Surface Pro.
Unstable and shaky screen: Another noticeable symptom is an unstable and shaky screen. The display may vibrate or move involuntarily, making it challenging to read or interact with the device.
Horizontal or vertical lines: In some cases, screen shaking and flickering can manifest as horizontal or vertical lines running across the display. These lines can disrupt the visual experience and adversely affect the usability of the Surface Pro.
Discoloration or distortion: Additionally, you may notice color distortion or pixelation on the screen when experiencing shaking and flickering issues. This can result in distorted images or text, further hampering your productivity.
Screen freezing or blacking out: Screen shaking and flickering problems can also lead to screen freezing or blackouts, where the display becomes unresponsive or goes completely dark for a short duration. This can be frustrating and hinder your ability to use the device effectively.

If you’re encountering any of these symptoms on your Surface Pro, it’s essential to take appropriate steps to resolve the issue. In the following sections, we’ll explore some effective troubleshooting methods to help you fix the screen shaking and flickering problem.

Update and Install Windows Updates

One of the first steps to take when experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro is to ensure that your device is up to date with the latest Windows updates. Microsoft frequently releases updates that contain bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements, which can help resolve various software-related issues, including screen problems.

To update your Surface Pro and install the latest Windows updates, follow these steps:

Connect to a stable internet connection: Before proceeding, ensure that your device is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Open the Windows Update settings: Go to the Start menu, then click on “Settings.” In the Settings window, select “Update & Security.”
Check for updates: In the Windows Update section, click on the “Check for updates” button. Windows will now search for and download any available updates for your device.
Install the updates: Once the updates are downloaded, click on the “Install” button to begin the installation process. You may need to restart your device after the installation is complete.

Updating your Surface Pro to the latest version of Windows can resolve software conflicts and compatibility issues that may be causing the screen shaking and flickering problems. It’s important to keep your device up to date with the latest updates for optimal performance and stability.

If the screen shaking issue persists even after installing the updates, continue exploring the following troubleshooting methods to identify and resolve the underlying cause.

Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can cause various issues on your Surface Pro, including screen shaking and flickering problems. It’s crucial to scan your device regularly to detect and remove any malicious software that could be affecting your system’s performance.

Here’s how you can scan for malware and viruses on your Surface Pro:

Use Windows Security: Windows 10 comes with Windows Security, a built-in antivirus program that provides real-time protection against malware and other threats. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Security”. Open the app, click on “Virus & threat protection”, and then select “Quick scan.”
Consider a third-party antivirus software: If you prefer using third-party antivirus software, there are several reliable options available. Choose a reputable antivirus program and ensure it is up to date. Perform a full system scan to identify and remove any malware or viruses.
Ensure real-time protection is enabled: Regardless of the antivirus software you use, make sure that real-time protection is enabled. This will actively monitor your device for any potential threats and prevent them from causing further harm.

Scanning your Surface Pro for malware and viruses is an essential step in troubleshooting screen shaking and flickering issues. If any malicious software is detected, take appropriate actions to remove it and ensure that your device remains protected in the future.

If the screen problem persists even after scanning for malware, continue with the next set of troubleshooting methods to help resolve the issue.

Adjust the Display Settings

Incorrect or incompatible display settings can contribute to screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro. Making the necessary adjustments to the display settings can help alleviate these problems and improve your overall viewing experience.

Follow the steps below to adjust the display settings:

Open the Display settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can go to the Start menu, click on “Settings,” and then select “System” and “Display.”
Check the resolution: Ensure that the Display resolution is set to the recommended value for your Surface Pro. Select the recommended resolution from the drop-down menu if it is not already selected.
Try different refresh rates: Scroll down to the “Advanced display settings” and click on “Display adapter properties.” In the new window, go to the “Monitor” tab and try different refresh rates. Start with the highest available refresh rate and gradually decrease if needed.
Disable dynamic contrast: Some devices have a feature called “Dynamic contrast” that automatically adjusts the contrast settings based on the content being displayed. Disable this feature to see if it improves the screen stability.
Update the display driver: Updating the display driver to the latest version can also address display-related issues. Right-click on the Start button, select “Device Manager,” expand the “Display adapters” category, right-click on your display driver, and select “Update driver.”

After adjusting the display settings, check if the screen shaking and flickering issues have been resolved. If the problem persists, continue exploring the next troubleshooting methods to find a suitable solution.

Change Power Saving Settings

In some cases, the power saving settings on your Surface Pro can contribute to screen shaking and flickering problems. Adjusting these settings can help mitigate the issue by ensuring that the device is utilizing optimal power settings for efficient and stable performance.

Follow these steps to change the power saving settings:

Open the Power & Sleep settings: Go to the Start menu, click on “Settings,” and select “System” and “Power & sleep.”
Adjust the power plan settings: In the Power & sleep settings, click on “Additional power settings.” This will open the Power Options window.
Select a power plan: Choose a power plan from the list that appears. It is recommended to select the “Balanced” power plan for a good balance between performance and power savings.
Change advanced power settings: In the Power Options window, click on “Change plan settings” next to the selected power plan, and then click on “Change advanced power settings.”
Modify display settings: In the Advanced settings tab, expand the “Display” category. Adjust the settings related to display brightness, display backlights, and adaptive brightness according to your preferences.
Disable power conservation features: Look for power conservation features such as “Panel self-refresh” or “Display power saving technology” and disable them. These features can sometimes cause screen flickering issues.
Save the changes: Once you have made the necessary adjustments, click on the “Apply” or “OK” button to save the changes to the power settings.

Changing the power saving settings on your Surface Pro can help alleviate screen shaking and flickering issues that are caused by improper power management. Test the device after making these changes to see if the problem has been resolved. If not, proceed to the next troubleshooting methods.

Update Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics card drivers can often be the culprit behind screen shaking and flickering problems on your Surface Pro. Keeping your graphics card drivers up to date is essential for optimal performance and stability.

Follow these steps to update the graphics card drivers on your Surface Pro:

Open the Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager” from the context menu that appears.
Expand the Display adapters category: In the Device Manager window, expand the “Display adapters” category to view the graphics card installed on your Surface Pro.
Update the graphics card driver: Right-click on the graphics card listed under the “Display adapters” category and select “Update driver.”
Choose an update method: In the Update Driver Software window, select the option to automatically search for updated driver software. Windows will then search online for the latest driver updates and install them if available.
Restart your Surface Pro: After the driver update is complete, it is recommended to restart your device to allow the changes to take effect.

Updating the graphics card drivers can help resolve compatibility issues and improve the stability of your Surface Pro’s display. After updating the drivers, check if the screen shaking and flickering issues have been resolved. If not, proceed to the next troubleshooting methods.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that offloads certain tasks from your computer’s CPU to your graphics card, improving performance in some cases. However, in certain situations, hardware acceleration can cause screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro. Disabling this feature can help alleviate the problem.

Follow these steps to disable hardware acceleration:

Open the web browser settings: If you are experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues while using a web browser, open the settings or preferences of the browser you are using. The steps may vary depending on the browser you are using.
Navigate to the advanced settings: Look for the advanced settings or preferences section of the browser and access it. This is where you will find the option to disable hardware acceleration.
Disable hardware acceleration: Within the advanced settings, locate the option to disable hardware acceleration. Uncheck the box or toggle the switch to turn off hardware acceleration.
Save the changes: After disabling hardware acceleration, save the changes and exit the settings or preferences window.

Disabling hardware acceleration in your web browser can help resolve screen shaking and flickering issues that occur specifically while browsing the internet. Test the browser after making this change to see if the problem has been resolved.

Note that hardware acceleration can also be enabled or disabled in certain applications. If you are experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues in specific applications, check the settings or preferences of those applications for a similar option to disable hardware acceleration.

If disabling hardware acceleration does not resolve the problem, continue with the next troubleshooting methods to find a suitable solution.

Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot on your Surface Pro can help identify if third-party applications or services are causing the screen shaking and flickering issues. By starting your device with only the essential drivers and services, you can determine if a conflicting application is the root cause of the problem.

Follow these steps to perform a clean boot:

Open the System Configuration tool: Press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type “msconfig” in the box and press Enter. This will launch the System Configuration tool.
Navigate to the Services tab: In the System Configuration window, click on the “Services” tab.
Hide all Microsoft services: Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services” to prevent Microsoft services from being disabled during the clean boot process.
Disable all remaining services: Click on the “Disable all” button to disable all the remaining third-party services.
Navigate to the Startup tab: Go to the “Startup” tab in the System Configuration window.
Disable all startup items: Click on “Open Task Manager” and disable all the startup items listed in the Task Manager.
Save the changes and restart your Surface Pro: Click on the “OK” or “Apply” button to save the changes. Restart your device to boot into a clean environment.

After your Surface Pro has restarted in a clean boot state, check if the screen shaking and flickering issues persist. If the problem is resolved, it indicates that a third-party application or service was causing the problem, and you can use a process of elimination to identify the specific application or service causing the conflict.

If the problem persists even after performing a clean boot, continue with the next troubleshooting methods to find a suitable solution.

Reset or Calibrate the Touchscreen

If you’re experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro, the touchscreen calibration or settings could be a contributing factor. Resetting or calibrating the touchscreen can help resolve these issues and restore proper functionality.

Follow these steps to reset or calibrate the touchscreen on your Surface Pro:

Open the Start menu: Click on the Start button located on the taskbar to access the Start menu.
Go to the Settings menu: Click on the gear-shaped icon in the left sidebar of the Start menu to open the Settings menu.
Select the Devices category: In the Settings menu, click on the “Devices” category.
Navigate to the Touchpad section: In the left sidebar of the Devices menu, click on the “Touchpad” section.
Reset or recalibrate the touchscreen: Look for an option to reset or recalibrate the touchscreen within the Touchpad settings. The exact location and terminology may vary depending on your Surface Pro model and operating system version.
Follow the on-screen instructions: If there is an option to recalibrate the touchscreen, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the calibration process.
Restart your Surface Pro: After resetting or recalibrating the touchscreen, restart your device to ensure that the changes take effect.

Resetting or calibrating the touchscreen can help resolve any software-related issues that may be causing the screen shaking and flickering problems on your Surface Pro. After performing this process, check if the issues have been resolved. If not, continue with the next troubleshooting methods.

Check for Hardware Issues

If you have tried all the software-based troubleshooting methods and are still experiencing screen shaking and flickering issues on your Surface Pro, it’s crucial to investigate the possibility of hardware-related problems. Checking for hardware issues can help identify any underlying problems that might be the cause of the screen problems.

Here are some steps you can take to check for hardware issues:

Inspect the display: Examine the display of your Surface Pro for any physical damage, such as cracks, scratches, or liquid spills. Damage to the display can result in screen shaking and flickering problems.
Connect to an external monitor: Connect your Surface Pro to an external monitor or TV using the appropriate cables. If the display appears normal on the external monitor, it indicates that the issue may be with the built-in display of your Surface Pro.
Test in Safe Mode: Restart your device and press and hold the Shift key while it starts up to boot into Safe Mode. If the screen shaking and flickering issue does not occur in Safe Mode, it suggests that a third-party application or driver may be causing the problem.
Perform a hardware diagnostic test: Microsoft provides a built-in hardware diagnostic tool for Surface devices. Access the diagnostic tool by pressing and holding the Volume Up button while pressing the Power button to turn on your Surface Pro. Follow the prompts to perform a comprehensive hardware test.
Contact support: If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and suspect that there is a hardware issue with your Surface Pro, it is recommended to contact Microsoft support or take your device to an authorized service center for further assistance.

Checking for hardware issues is essential to rule out any physical or internal problems that may be causing the screen shaking and flickering on your Surface Pro. If you determine that there is a hardware issue, professional assistance may be required to repair or replace the affected components.

Always exercise caution when inspecting or handling hardware components, and seek professional advice if you are unsure about any troubleshooting steps.