What to try if your Surface screen is distorted, is flickering, or has lines running through it

Check for updates

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then select Check for updates. For info on other ways to update your Surface, see Download drivers and firmware for Surface.

Refresh the screen with keyboard and tablet shortcuts

If your problem continues after you've checked for updated, here's what else to try:

• Connect your Surface to a keyboard, then press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B.

• If you're in tablet mode, quickly press the volume up and volume down buttons three times.

Force a restart

If updating your Surface and the keyboard or tablet shortcuts didn’t work, you can try to force a shutdown, and then restart. To do this, press and hold the power button until the logo screen appears (about 20 seconds). 

For more info, see Force a shut down and restart your Surface. 

Test the screen in the UEFI of your Surface

Here's how to check if the screen issues only happen when you're using Windows: 

1. Turn off your Surface and wait 10 seconds.

2. Press and hold the volume up button on your Surface, and at the same time, press and release the power button.

3. The Microsoft or Surface logo will appear on your screen. Continue to hold the volume up button. Release the button when then UEFI screen appears.

4. View the screen and see if the problem is still present.

   1. If the screen is working correctly, the problem is with the software installed on the Surface. For more info on reinstalling Windows, see Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface .

   2. If the screen still isn't working correctly, you'll need to submit a service order.

Submit a service order

If these steps didn't resolve the problem, you can submit a service order to Microsoft. Register your device at Device Service and Repair. 

Device Service and Repair

Related topics 

• What to try if your Surface touchscreen doesn't work

• Adaptive brightness and contrast on Surface devices

• Troubleshoot connecting Surface to a second screen

• How to use Surface UEFI