Surface Pro 2017 Backlight Bleed

Question

Question: Why isn't Microsoft acknowledging the new Surface Pro 2017 display backlight bleed defect and ignoring its customers after the launch of the product? When will they solve the problem? Because all of the units have the defect and replacing it at the Microsoft store is not a viable solution at the moment.

My new Surface Pro 2017 core i7 8GB (lot 1722) has backlight bleed on the whole bottom edge and left side of the screen. You don't normally notice it in landscape mode because the black taskbar hides it, but if you read a white background fullscreen article in portrait mode it's pretty obvious with one side of the screen being brighter than the other side.This light bleed is most noticeable in the colours blue and white and harder to see in black colours (which are usually used in backlight bleed tests).

The quickest way to test and see if your screen has this problem is to press CTRL+ALT+DEL and bring up the blue screen. On the bottom of the blue screen you should see a bright blue/white bar compared to the rest of the screen which is the defective light bleed. All the showcase models in the Microsoft Store I looked at had this problem. I have yet to see a new Surface Pro without this defect. Can anyone post a picture of their CTRL+ALT+DEL screen without the light bleed?

I think people who claim not to have it aren't looking close enough to notice it. Is Microsoft going to acknowledge this display defect and are they working on fixing it in future batches?

Also, if I wait more than one month to exchange my Surface Pro would I get a refurbished model or a new one? If they are going to give me a refurbished model I might as well just return this defective device and get a full refund. When we pay premium prices we expect premium quality. This defect would have been acceptable on a cheap tablet, but not a Microsoft product. Please fix the issue as soon as possible!

Tip: If you want to test your screen on different colours go to http://www.deadpixelbuddy.com/ and choose a colour then switch to fullscreen (win key+shift+enter on Edge or F11 on Chrome) and view the fabulous results and take a picture and post it here so we can prove that it's a universal problem.

I AM NOT THE SOURCE OF THE PICTURES BELOW, THEY ARE FROM REPLIES TO THIS POST OR REDDIT LINKS GIVEN BELOW. THE FIRST PICTURE (WHICH HAS BEEN USED IN TECH NEWS WEBSITES) BELONGS TOWALMART MARKETING TEAMUSER ON REDDIT! I HAVE ONLY GATHERED THEM HERE.

Subreddits discussing this topic:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/search?q=backlight+bleed&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=month

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6nyb28/light_bleed_dark_spots_and_other_display_issues/?utm_content=title&utm_medium=hot&utm_source=reddit&utm_name=Surface

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6iji8k/surface_pro_2017_backlight_bleeding_survey/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6k94qe/just_bought_my_new_surface_pro_2017_i_might_be/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6jggz5/is_this_light_bleed/?st=J4X9C9Y6&sh=319ae1cc

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6jigz0/whats_your_surface_pro_2017_lot_number_any_issues/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6kv9ky/light_bleed_on_surface_pro_2017/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6ia9ow/so_2017_model_has_worse_backlight_bleeding_issue/?st=J4X991Y6&sh=ce9fea3f

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6i8lcz/backlight_bleeding_surface_pro_2017_i5_8gb/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6k0bvh/dark_bar_on_new_surface_pro_backlight_bleed/?st=J4X99C5T&sh=3cf086b6

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6m4mbb/does_anyone_not_have_any_backlight_bleeding_on/?st=J4X9AR3G&sh=f74b2d3d

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6ite0s/new_surface_pro_light_bleed_not_solved/?st=J4X9B9PD&sh=c24b21d7

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6m2b55/report_surface_pro_2017_backlight_bleed_here/?st=J4X969LQ&sh=1df2eab6

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6j8hau/picked_up_brand_new_surface_pro_i7_512gb16g_ram/

As you can see there are A LOT so do not deny the defect and claim it's a minor issue in a few models. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY MICROSOFT!

Edit: I just realized I posted the original issue as a discussion post and therefore it didn't have the requirement for it to be responded like a question, so I'm editing it so people can also click the "Me Too" button until we get an official/semi-official response from a Microsoft representative. I've also added more subreddits and pictures.

UPDATE (17/07/2017 11:25 AM GMT): The broken image links have been fixed.

**ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:**A lot of tech websites have reported the issue and especially used the first image in this post and attributed it to me. I must note that none of these images are mine and they all come from the reddit posts I linked below them. The specific top image is from the user WalmartMarketingTeam

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6k94qe/just_bought_my_new_surface_pro_2017_i_might_be/djk79ga/

http://imgur.com/vbofsSa

Answer 1

I have this problem too, and as far as I can tell, this defect is nearly universal. Every SP 2017 I have seen in person has this defect. This includes: (1) every SP2017 on display at the Microsoft store in Atlanta and (2) three SP2017s I have personally ordered and have returned. Here is an image of my third display: http://imgur.com/DMR2j5O

Folks on Reddit have shared similar experiences with ALL display models at the Microsoft stores at NYC and LA. I have read about probably hundreds of these devices having this issue. This is unacceptable, and it is borderline insulting that Microsoft thought it could charge people so much money for a defective device.

This is a problem that ruins the experience of using a SP2017. Every time I write in OneNote, I noticed it. When I type in Word, I noticed it. When I tried reading a book using Kindle for PC, I noticed it. It is infuriating, though, because otherwise this is such a good machine. But the screen defect is so bad I am going out of my way to warn people about it and encouraging folks to not spend their money on it or to return it within 30 days.

More threads where this is being discussed:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6i8lcz/backlight_bleeding_surface_pro_2017_i5_8gb/

https://forums.windowscentral.com/microsoft-surface-pro-2017/461352-do-you-guys-have-any-backlight-bleeding.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6hhqlf/defective_screen_surface_pro_2017/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6k94qe/just_bought_my_new_surface_pro_2017_i_might_be/

I want Microsoft to: (1) acknowledge the problem and (2) announce when this will be fixed.

Answer 2

I wish it were true, i7 1TB ssd, 16 gb mem, lot 1721, look at the screen, it is outrageous:

Answer 3

New test! (For those who haven't given up in frustration...)

Download this corrected OneNote screenshot and see if it displays without "bleed" when in full screen. Use MS Paint. To lure people in I'm inserting this as an image below, but don't use it since it's not at full resolution. Here's the original screenshot for comparison. As a service to the community and to test this idea further, I'm happy to "correct" the first handful of your own suggested screenshots if you upload somewhere and give a link here.

If it works for all/most people, then Microsoft can fix this by implementing a simple pixel shader into the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). It should run very fast and with imperceptible impact on system performance. Just apply this equation to the bottom 200 pixels (= Offset), preferably at the highest bit precision possible:

IF (Ycoordinate > 1824-Offset) THEN R/G/B value = R/G/B value * [1 - Scale*(Ycoordinate-1824+Offset)^2]

It's a simple quadratic correction for the extra light. A value for Scale of roughly 6e-6 seems to work best for me, and may be adjusted along with the Offset. It could even be implemented as a lookup table. A fancier version will also make sure there are no banding effects, say by dithering with very small amounts of noise, but it's not necessary. (Here's a bonus "screenshot" to illustrate this, just for kicks!)

It doesn't seem like we can hook into the DWM easily as developers. So listen up Microsoft. I have given you a solution. Please implement. At the very least, the fact that the correction is so simple should point at the source of the problem and then maybe a better solution can be found (perhaps reprogramming the TCON board?).

Answer 4

Jeez, what a nightmare. This is unacceptable.

Answer 5

Picked up a i5 256gb 8gb today, same issue.   Lot 1719   

I wasted an hour with three call and two chats with UK Surface support team who where not at all helpful  - said I could wait 8-10 days for a refurb but much better to return to retailer.

So that's what I did - very helpful UK retail chain, known for thier customer service very kindly checked repacement from lot 1724 with exactly the same problem.

For those who want to check before going through the set-up process hold Surface in portrait mode on Out Of Box screen and a white glow it is clearly visible on botttom edge (the keyboard connection side).

I checked two display models - both exhibit problem, as it's mainly the bottom of the screen it's less noticable with taskbar and non uniform background.

I also compared with older models in store display and the difference is noticable, the old models on display did not have the problem.

My current plan is to return again within 30 refund policy of retailer and get a replacement if they have one if not I'll get a refund and go back to my Macbook running Windows in a VM.

MY ADIVCE WAIT UNTIL THIS IS RESLOVED

IF YOU CAN'T WAIT DON'T BUY ONLINE, buy in main retailer and check screen in portrait mode before leaving the shop.

This is like the old days of TFT screens hunting for a unit without dead pixels.

Frankly if Microsoft wnat to emulate Apples pricing model and set a price levels on the value proposition rather than based on component cost to extract nearly £1500 for a pretty basic specification then they need to work on the QA and support.

A sensible vendor would quickly acknowledge the fault and make assurances to market that replacements would be available rather than risking having a hole range of tablets considered a lemon by savvy buyers.