How to Repair a Laptop Screen
One of the most common hardware problems that people who own a laptop experience is a broken or malfunctioning laptop screen. Laptop screens are essential to laptop use. Laptop screens can be incredibly delicate. However, they are surprisingly very easy to fix even if the fixer is not a technical person.
Troubleshoot the Laptop Screen Problem
Before replacing a laptop screen, it is wise to troubleshoot the problem. While obvious damage to a screen usually requires full replacement, other types of damage that are visible on the laptop screen may not be due to the screen itself.
Pixel Problems
Pixels often get damaged, making the laptop screen very difficult to read and use. Laptops use LCD (liquid crystal display) to show images, which are made from thousands of pixels (little dots). If a few pixels in one area are damaged, this can ruin the entire computing experience. In most cases, it is best to remove the entire laptop screen and replace it with a new one.
Laptop Screens with Faint Images
Laptop screens are back lit to improve screen visibility. However, sometimes the back light does not work, making the screen extremely difficult to read. The problem might be as simple as one of the latches being stuck in the closed position. For instance, if the laptop is opened and the switch is stuck in the closed position, the computer is usually on, but the back light remains off. First, find the back light switch. These switches are usually very tiny and located near the laptop hinges. Try to open and close the laptop a few times, if this does not work, a gentle tap or using a small pin to try to gently un-stick the latch usually does the trick.
The Laptop Screen Flickers or is a Solid White Color
If the laptop screen flickers on and off, the cause is probably an inverter problem. The inverter supplies power to the screen’s back light. Inverters are easy to replace and usually cost about $100. If the laptop screen is a solid white color, then the problem is possibly a bad cable connection between the monitor and the system board. Open up the laptop and make sure that the cables and connections are set correctly and undamaged.
Jumbled Screen Images
Laptop users often see jumbled images on their screen. In most cases, this is not due to the screen itself, but possibly the video card. One quick way to determine what is causing the screen to be jumbled is to connect a monitor to the laptop with a VGA port. If the other monitor shows jumbled images, then the problem is probably the laptop’s video card.
Replacing a Laptop Screen
If the image problem is due to a broken or malfunctioning laptop screen, replacing it is fairly easy. It should be noted that laptop screens are extremely expensive and can sometimes cost 50% or more of the total price of the computer, for instance more than $500 for a $1,000 computer. While a new screen can be purchased from the manufacturer, most people either decide to purchase a used laptop screen or buy a new laptop. Those who decide to replace their computer screen only need a screwdriver. Here are some easy steps to follow:
- Step 1. Note the laptop screen type and purchase one that is guaranteed to fit. While some laptop models from the same manufacture may fit, ensure that it does before purchasing it. When ready to replace the screen, shut down the laptop, remove the battery, and unplug the laptop.
- Step 2. Locate the screw covers on the plastic frame (usually rubber or plastic) to gain access to the screws that hold the screen to the bezel in place. In most cases, the screen has from 4 to 6 total screw covers. The user will probably need a small flat head or Phillips screw driver. However, some laptops might have their own screw heads that require special screw drivers or Allen wrenches to remove the screws. Screw covers are usually located at the bottom of the plastic frame. However, every computer model is different, so search for the screw covers to gain access to the screen.
- Step 3. Once the screw covers are removed, remove all the screws while holding the screen in place. Once all the screws are removed, gently pull away the screen from the plastic bezel. The best way to accomplish this is to use one’s fingers to gently roll around the entire bezel, thereby loosening the screen. Once the screen is slightly separated, pull it away from the bezel with a light to moderate amount of force. If the screen does not budge, check whether any screws are still attached.
- Step 4. When the bezel has been removed, the screen with a metal frame surrounding it will be visible. Tilt the screen forward, exposing the LCD frame’s metal back. The screen should gently pop out of its back shell. The wires running from the screen to the laptop will be visible. There should be two main wires. The first is a ribbon, which is the video cable. The video cable is usually taped in place. Remove the tape and gently disconnect the ribbon from the LCD screen. The other wire is the inverter’s power cable. In order to only replace the LCD screen, continue to use the inverter, leaving it as is. However, in order to replace the inverter as well, disconnect the power cable and unscrew the inverter from its mount.
- Step 5. Once the old screen is removed, plug in the new screen and set it in the shell. However, before screwing in the bezels, test the screen to make sure it is working properly. In order to test the screen, power up the laptop. If the screen is working properly when powered up, shut down the computer and continue to screw the screen to the bezel and cover the screws with the plastic or rubber caps.
Screen replacement is complete. The computer should work like new. Replacing the laptop screen without a technician is a great way to save money, not only on the cost of the laptop screen, but the cost of labor as well.
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My HP Probook 4520 goes from a perfect screen to a purple with a white border. Intemittently it comes back , then it happens again. What could I do?
Also, Toshiba LS3500 took a hit and the liquid crystals can’t be read. How could I get this back?
My Gateway NV59C Laptop had fallen of of a table and the screen is completely black. Any idea how to fix it if it is fixable?
I have a toshiba laptop and the LCD screen looks like a photo negative.Is it the inverter?
I dropped my laptop the other day and i have the same problem now.. it works fine but the image is just a bit hazy and looks like a photo negative like yours…anyone know whats wrong and how to fix it?
Hi! I have a lenovo laptop and its screen has been replaced twice but again i am finding some errors that leads the screen to be faint and white. I still have a little time for the warranty but when i claim it, they just replace the screen and return, which i cannot trust anymore, as it has failed twice. Also if i keep on replacing screen like this, my warranty period will be finished and I might end up with a damaged screen again. So what can i do? Please give me suggestions.
Complain, they will probably give you a new laptop to make good for the issues. be persuasive
my laptop screen is just suddenly dim while playing music. it is dim in such a way that i cannot read or see what is on the screen. what could be the problem an how can i fix it?
i have dell vostro 1015 laptop its screen showing a small blue pixle at right side. so please give me best suggestions to remove this spot.
I have seen screens that seem to flash on and off intermittently.
I have an acer notebook the screen has shifted to the left with about 2″ of white space on the right side.How do I fix this?
Hi thanks for the tip about the back light switch, had no idea it would have been that causing a black screen till reading this!
I have a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo li 2727 and my laptop screen breaks up and jumps badly. I have it repaired at least twice . But it is as bad as ever. Not sure they actually did anything, last time it was supposed to have a new wire (somewhere) in laptop. Appreciate any help.
hi my acer 4730G usually my laptop is always 24 hours open well i always cleam my lcd with a cotton alcohol! then today i clean it when i start to open it! theres a flickering bar appears
Hi I have a Dell Vostro and the screen just goes white. Is this something that can be fixed. Of course I go to Fry’s and they tell me the motherboard is damaged and that this is very expensive to repair. They told me I might as well buy another laptop. Thoughts? Any aassistance on this? Thanks, Suzanne
my laptop somehow accidentally got closed with a cord in between….my screen now has colorful vertical lines… is there anything that we can do??
thanks
My computer somehow accidentally got closed on a cord. Now the screen has colorful vertical lines. Is there anything we can do without buying a new laptop or screen?
I have hp laptop and the screen damaged what can i do?
Our Compaq laptop screen goes from perfect to lines when the screen is opened and closed. Unfortunately it has gotten pretty bad now. Thanks for your help.
Thanks for sharing this information this time i really need this type of information.
my laptop screen was broken just like you mentioned above, i brought it to glasgow computers and they charged me £65, do you think that was a fair price to pay? g5 9ru
01414296592
i got 3 mini touch screen laptops when i recieved them 2 of them do not have the program or software installed for touchscreen to work the other wont calibrate where can i get software to fix them and how can i get the other to calibrate please help almost christmas thanks
The problem of my satellite m55-s1001 is white display . how to fixd? , what is the cause problem .