Surface pro 2018 and Surface Studio 2025 (power and battery display and screen)

Eon Alexis Agasang 0 Reputation points
2026-07-21T17:36:46.7166667+00:00

Hi there,

I own two Surface laptops: one is a Surface Pro running Windows 10 from 2018, which has been performing exceptionally well, and the other is a new Surface Studio Pro that operates on Windows 11, purchased in 2025. I've noticed a concerning issue with both devices. Whenever I plug in my Surface Pro from 2018, it tends to get quite warm, and I see the same issue with the new Surface Studio. To avoid potential overheating, I've been disconnecting the charger frequently.

Additionally, the Surface Pro from 2018 has been reliable until now, but recently I've encountered a troubling issue where small bubbles in a circular pattern have appeared on the screen. This visual distortion is accompanied by my cursor shaking and the entire screen pausing intermittently, which significantly disrupts my workflow. I primarily use these laptops for school-related activities, such as research, and sometimes I play games, so these problems are particularly frustrating.

I’ve tried to reach out to Microsoft’s technical support for assistance, but the process has been quite cumbersome. It's disappointing because I genuinely appreciate the user-friendliness of Microsoft Windows, yet I’m facing numerous technical challenges. I also learned that my Surface Pro from 2018 is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11, but I never received any notification about this offer, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Moreover, I've heard there might be a chance to receive a replacement power cord at no cost due to the overheating issue when connected to the laptop. I sincerely hope these concerns can be addressed, especially since I’ve just invested in the new Surface Studio, which also overheats when plugged in. Your assistance in resolving these issues would be greatly appreciated, as I rely heavily on these devices for my studies. Thank you.

Eon Alexis

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen
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  1. S.Sengupta 31,936 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-07-22T00:40:17.7066667+00:00

    The circular bubble pattern under your screen, plus cursor shaking and screen freezing, points to a swollen battery pushing against the display — a known safety issue on Surface Pro devices, not a software problem.

    Stop using and stop charging it now

    Don't press on the screen

    Keep it away from heat

    Back up your data soon

    Contact Microsoft Support and specifically mention "swollen battery" for faster routing

    Surface Studio (2025) warmth: Normal while charging/under load on a device this thin. Only a concern if it's genuinely hot (not just warm) or the fan runs loud at idle — no need to keep unplugging it otherwise.

    Windows 11 eligibility: Depends on your exact model —

    Surface Pro 6 (Oct 2018, 8th-gen Intel) → eligible

    Surface Pro (2017) with a 7th-gen chip → not eligible

    Check via Settings → Windows Update or Microsoft's PC Health Check tool. No notification isn't unusual — rollout happens in waves.

    Power cord recall: Only covers original Surface Pro, Pro 2, and Pro 3 (sold before March 2015). Neither of your devices qualifies. If a cord looks damaged, contact Support separately about a paid/warranty replacement.

    Priority: Get the 2018 Surface Pro's battery checked first — that's the one with an actual safety risk.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-07-21T17:37:13.1033333+00:00

    For the charging heat issue on both devices:

    • Surface devices can become warm while charging, but if the heat is excessive, first check Windows Update and install all available Windows and Surface firmware updates.
    • If available, test with a different official Surface charger. If the overheating happens only with one charger, replacing that charger is the next step.
    • On the Surface running Windows, reducing plugged-in CPU load can help: Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced Settings > Processor Power Management > Maximum Processor State, then set the plugged in value to 99%. This can reduce heat by preventing turbo boost.
    • Smart charging on Surface is designed to protect battery health. It can automatically limit charging to 80% when the device is plugged in for prolonged periods or used at elevated temperatures.

    For the Surface Pro screen problem from 2018:

    • The circular bubbles and display instability point to a screen or hardware issue that needs to be checked.
    • Start by testing whether the problem appears in UEFI:
      1. Shut down the Surface and wait 10 seconds.
      2. Press and hold Volume Up.
      3. While holding Volume Up, press and release Power.
      4. Keep holding Volume Up until the UEFI screen appears.
      5. If the bubbles, shaking cursor, or distortion also appear there, the issue is hardware-related.
    • If the issue does not appear in UEFI, update display-related components:
      1. Open Device Manager.
      2. Expand Monitors and uninstall the Surface panel/display driver.
      3. Uninstall the graphics driver.
      4. Restart the device.
      5. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates.
    • If the issue still continues, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC and choose Cloud download.
    • If the distortion appears in UEFI or remains after updates/reset, request service or repair.

    For service and repair:

    • If the screen has physical damage, is out of warranty, or needs hardware repair, use the Surface service and repair options.
    • If the device battery has expanded or the screen is being pushed open, stop using the device and submit the swollen battery form immediately.

    For Windows 11 eligibility on the older Surface:

    • Not all older Surface devices can upgrade to Windows 11. Devices that are not eligible include Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro (5th Gen). Eligibility depends on the exact model.
    • Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Moving to Windows 11 is recommended only if the specific Surface model is supported.

    No supported information confirms a free replacement power cord program for these symptoms.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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