First Surface Laptop Ultra Firmware Update Fixes Long Reboots, Screen Flickering & Unexpected Restarts

Microsoft has rolled out a much-needed update for its Surface Laptop Ultra after early users and reviewers reported frustrating stability issues. The first firmware update for the Surface Laptop Ultra fixes screen flickering, painfully long reboots, and unexpected restarts, addressing several problems that surfaced shortly after launch.

Surface Laptop Ultra gets fixes for major launch problems

Microsoft released the firmware update on October 22, six days after the laptop launched. It appears in Windows Update as Microsoft Corporation System Hardware Update (200.0.7.0). According to official changelog, the latest firmware update resolves three issues that could cause extended reboot times, screen flickering, and unexpected restarts. Microsoft also confirms additional bug fixes and general performance improvements.

The update follows complaints shared by owners on Reddit. In a Reddit post, users discussed flickering, audio interference, and repeated kernel-level restarts. That’s not all; some users say that they have been returning their laptop after experiencing display problems, lengthy reboots, and excessive heat. The new firmware addresses flickering, but Microsoft has not confirmed a fix for every reported display problem.

Four firmware and driver components are included

The update includes several components, depending on the device’s configuration. These include Surface TCON firmware version 161.32.1.42, Surface UEFI firmware version 7.3.0.0, and Surface Integration version 142.0.8.0. Microsoft is also updating Surface Panel Driver V2 to version 3.7.434.0. All combined target reliability and performance rather than introducing new features.

Users can check Windows Update or open the Surface app, navigate to Help & support, and select Check for updates. Microsoft further recommends restarting the laptop after installation.