Surface Pro 2017 Advanced LTE: Prevent light bleed spots in the middle of the screen

Plantje

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Yesterday I received my fourth SP 2017 Advanced LTE. All three previous devices have been sent back with the same issue: light bleed spots somewhere in the screen.

A few facts:
  • I am aware that light bleed on the edges of a LCD panel is common and no reason to return a tablet. These are spots in the middle of the screen
  • This is concerning the Advanced LTE version
  • In the beginning no light bleed is visible; it starts showing over time
  • The light bleed spots get worse over time
  • It is very hard to make a picture of the light bleed spots as modern cameras try to "fix" the issue in the picture taking. That makes it hard to get the tablet replaced by Microsoft as well.
  • It is definitely a hardware issue

Now, if there is anything I can do to prevent these light bleed spots from developing, I would like to do that of course.
I have created another topic on this matter here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...iddle-of/3c70ed0d-e77a-4f7c-9d14-ef789a3a96d3
And I have responded to someone else's topic regarding this issue here: https://www.surfaceforums.net/threa...s-without-lightbleed.23775/page-5#post-180278 (be aware, these are not my screen shots, but they indicate the problem best)
I have also responded to this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jf2xTM4PMg. There, someone has this issue with a SP7! :(

One of the things that I will be doing is installing a CPU temp logger. If I then see spots occur again, I can check if the device has run hot. Currently my best guess is that it has something to do with temperature.

I use my SP in a normal way. Carry it in a laptop bag. I don't let it run while in my laptop bag. Only use the charger that is issued with the SP. I don't leave the screen on with a still picture for hours and hours. Of course, while working on it during the day it is switched on for hours. One of the SPs I also paid close attention to time and again charge until about 80%, then drain to about 20%, but that didn't help either. (Fortunately, because quite some management went into it ;) )

I am a huge fan of the Surface line, but I feel I am perhaps more stubborn than I should be. I have had 6 Surface 3s (non pro version) that had different screen issues. This is my fourth Surface Pro 2017. And I hear that people with a Surface Book first gen are having batteries that are swelling up while their devices are just out of warranty. Still, the devices are so beautiful! My wife is almost fed up with me buying these devices.

Reason for starting this topic is: is there anyone who can shed a light on this? Is there anything that I can do to prevent this? Or do I just have bad luck, three times in a row? All help, suggestions, follow up questions etc are appreciated!
 

Ryujingt3

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It seems that it's a known issue for MS. However, whether or not they will fix it or just keep issuing you a replacement device (with the same defect), is another matter entirely.
 

Plantje

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Well that sucks…
Today I started configuring the 4th one and I noticed that every now and then it has random freezes where the screen will be completely frozen and only starts responding after doing a reboot by holding the power button for a while.
A little bit of research shows that I am not the first one having this issue.

It seems that I will just be receiving replacement devices until I have one that has no issues or the warranty is expired… whichever comes first.

But what alternatives exist? Microsoft is basically the only vendor creating devices like these. There are some others like Acer, but they are so much more bulky….
 

Plantje

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From what I researched it seems that many others experienced light bleed on their SP7.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/dpedw7/light_bleeding_surface_pro_7/

Ah ok, read it and this is COMPLETELY different from my backlight bleed. I cannot state enough: I know backlight bleed from the edges is normal. It is just a common thing with LCD screens. What I am talking about is spots in the middle of the screen.

Anyway... this fourth one will be sent back as well as it freezes every so often. No light bleed detected (yet), but this one freezes every so often. Keeping the power button press, shutting it down and restarting it is the only way to get it running again.
Installed all updates, did a complete refresh, ran the Surface Diagnostics toolkit....nothing!

This is getting really frustrating! It is going back today :(
 

Ryujingt3

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Ah ok, read it and this is COMPLETELY different from my backlight bleed. I cannot state enough: I know backlight bleed from the edges is normal. It is just a common thing with LCD screens. What I am talking about is spots in the middle of the screen.

Anyway... this fourth one will be sent back as well as it freezes every so often. No light bleed detected (yet), but this one freezes every so often. Keeping the power button press, shutting it down and restarting it is the only way to get it running again.
Installed all updates, did a complete refresh, ran the Surface Diagnostics toolkit....nothing!

This is getting really frustrating! It is going back today :(

I found your post on the MS Community site about this too.

Not sure if you sent it back already, but what about this, do these tests help?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...6ba24b19697?page=16&id=61&tab=AllReplies#tabs
 

Plantje

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I found your post on the MS Community site about this too.

Not sure if you sent it back already, but what about this, do these tests help?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...6ba24b19697?page=16&id=61&tab=AllReplies#tabs

First of all: I really appreciate the fact that you take the time to respond to my topic.

I have already sent the most recent one back as it would freeze every few minutes, basically making the device useless.

And thank you for posting the link. On surfaceforums.net also someone has complained about this type of light bleed: https://www.surfaceforums.net/threads/are-there-any-sp5-models-without-lightbleed.23775/
With the "solution" proposed in the link I can perhaps fix that type of light bleed.

However, this is not the type of light bleed I am referring to. It is this:
hkh634a2yuy11.jpg
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/9xv1u7/light_bleed_spots_on_my_sb2_display/
This is not my picture, but this is the sort of light bleed I am experiencing. Currently with 3 out of 3 Surface Pros.

I am completely ok with the LCD standard light bleed as I know it comes with all LCD displays.
 
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Plantje

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While doing some more research myself (and waiting for my new device to return) I've found that other people refer to it as "bright spots" rather than "spots of backlight bleed". If I then search Google for "surface pro bright spots" I find some people with similar issues:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...k/00092787-9529-4089-a42d-9e6de405db18?auth=1
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/9xv1u7/light_bleed_spots_on_my_sb2_display/
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-display/daff1263-278a-401d-a266-1bf705cedc0f

And it doesn't even only happen to a Surface (Pro) devices:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/bright-spot-on-ipad-pro-10-5-screen.2115037/#post-26007903

But it looks like this is caused by some internals pushing against the screen; either from the outside or from the inside. I do NOT put pressure on the screen! At least nothing more than you normally would when writing on a piece of paper. I have always treated all Surface Pro devices with care! I always carry them in a decent laptop bag. The only thing in the padded laptop compartment is the Surface Pro itself.

Reason for thinking that pressure is responsible is because this can (temporarily) fix it: https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/b4ucbd/might_have_found_a_fix_temp_for_ipad_pro_bright/
DIY: Easily fix white pressure marks, blotches, clouds, mura, bright spots on your LCD/LED panel screen. | NotebookReview
 

Ryujingt3

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While doing some more research myself (and waiting for my new device to return) I've found that other people refer to it as "bright spots" rather than "spots of backlight bleed". If I then search Google for "surface pro bright spots" I find some people with similar issues:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...k/00092787-9529-4089-a42d-9e6de405db18?auth=1
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/9xv1u7/light_bleed_spots_on_my_sb2_display/
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-display/daff1263-278a-401d-a266-1bf705cedc0f

And it doesn't even only happen to a Surface (Pro) devices:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/bright-spot-on-ipad-pro-10-5-screen.2115037/#post-26007903

But it looks like this is caused by some internals pushing against the screen; either from the outside or from the inside. I do NOT put pressure on the screen! At least nothing more than you normally would when writing on a piece of paper. I have always treated all Surface Pro devices with care! I always carry them in a decent laptop bag. The only thing in the padded laptop compartment is the Surface Pro itself.

Reason for thinking that pressure is responsible is because this can (temporarily) fix it: https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/b4ucbd/might_have_found_a_fix_temp_for_ipad_pro_bright/
DIY: Easily fix white pressure marks, blotches, clouds, mura, bright spots on your LCD/LED panel screen. | NotebookReview

Hopefully your new device will arrive soon. That's quite an ingenious, and also simple fix. I understand your issue now and yes, it does sound like pressure from internals pushing against the screen. This may or may not be useful but what if closing the Surface Pro also causes this and that the internals push up against the screen when it is closed? You could do a test by having a few days of not closing your Surface Pro and seeing if anything untoward happens - just an idea.
 

Plantje

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Hopefully your new device will arrive soon. That's quite an ingenious, and also simple fix. I understand your issue now and yes, it does sound like pressure from internals pushing against the screen. This may or may not be useful but what if closing the Surface Pro also causes this and that the internals push up against the screen when it is closed? You could do a test by having a few days of not closing your Surface Pro and seeing if anything untoward happens - just an idea.

From one end, I am really happy finally knowing what seems to be the cause of the issue. On the other hand I am not as I can hardly be more carefull with the device! Now I am going to be more cautious when writing on the tablet.
By closing you mean: closing the type cover? That pressure is so evenly spread, I would be really suprised if it caused a dent.
 

Ryujingt3

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From one end, I am really happy finally knowing what seems to be the cause of the issue. On the other hand I am not as I can hardly be more carefull with the device! Now I am going to be more cautious when writing on the tablet.
By closing you mean: closing the type cover? That pressure is so evenly spread, I would be really suprised if it caused a dent.

Yes, I did mean closing the type cover. It may be something to consider. After all, the device has to allow for some wear and tear and I am sure you are very careful with it already.
 

Ryujingt3

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But that would then leave the screen exposed.

Sorry, maybe I am not explaining myself properly. I am just theorising that maybe closing the Suface, and having the screen against the type cover, could also somehow factor in to this. It may not, but it was just something I thought of. Here's hoping your new model arrives soon and doesn't have this issue.
 

Plantje

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The new model is on its way.
If closing the type cover would be the cause, I think a lot more people would have this issue. And not just me with three out of three...

The only thing I can think of is: pressure. And that can then be either on the touch screen or from the back.
I really don't hope it is from the touch screen as I do use the tablet to write on, but I don't press it hard... I did notice the Surface devices have a lot more "flex" on the screen than let's say an iPad or a Samsung tablet.
Pressure from the back would only have been possible in my laptop bag. And I would assume I would notice that in the padding as well. However, padding of course protects against pointy items poking into the back... But if you put a tablet in a full bag some pressure may be possible...padding or no padding

Still I am a little bit disappointed that no one from Microsoft ever said:"This sort of stuff is caused by pressure"
 

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