Microsoft responds to overheating on Surface 2 devices - a firmware update is coming

If you recently picked up one of Microsoft’s latest devices, the Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2, you might be experiencing a slight issue with the screen dimming its brightness level when working on CPU intensive activities.

Not to worry though, Microsoft is in the processes of creating and releasing a firmware updates to the units.

High intensive activities such as gaming, are causing the unit to overheat and thus BIOS begins to lower the brightness of the display as reaction to try and cool the unit. There has been some confusion over the issue and some consumers “believed they had a defective unit”. A spokesperson for Microsoft commented on the issue and clarified that the issue is indeed due to an increase of the unit’s internal temperature.

"Surface devices may dim the screen as thermal temperatures rise from extended, high CPU intensive activities-- like gaming.  In some scenarios this does not appear necessary.  Our top priority is for customers to have the best possible experience on their Surface device.  We’re working on a tuning update that will remove this unnecessary dimming event.  You can expect this update in an upcoming Windows Update package.  In the meantime allow the Surface to cool down for a minute or so in order to return the screen to previous brightness levels.”

The update should be available shortly, so stay tuned – are you experiencing this issue with your Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2?

Source: WinBeta

Michael Archambault