BROKEN OR DEFECTIVE LAPTOP SCREEN: HOW TO FIX IT?

Is your laptop screen cracked, displaying colored lines, or staying black? Discover how to identify the issue and find the best solution to repair or replace your LCD screen.

BROKEN SCREEN: HOW TO IDENTIFY IT?

A laptop screen can break due to an impact or improper handling (such as opening or closing the lid too forcefully). The most common signs include:

• Visible cracks on the screen
• Black spots resembling ink leaks
• Shattered areas, even if the screen still lights up

✅ SOLUTION: SCREEN REPLACEMENT

In this case, **replacing the LCD panel is the only solution**. Check out our Screen Replacement Tutorial to perform the operation yourself.

⚠️ Note: For touchscreen laptops, sometimes only the glass needs replacement instead of the LCD panel. Learn more here: Touchscreen - Before Replacing Your Screen.

⚠️ DEFECTIVE OR BLACK SCREEN: HOW TO DIAGNOSE IT?

A laptop screen may not function properly even if it's not physically broken. The most common symptoms include:

• Screen flickering
• Vertical or horizontal colored lines
• Distorted colors or blurry display
• Black screen or very low brightness (specific to LCD screens)

STEP 1: CHECK THE SCREEN RIBBON CABLE

The screen is connected to the motherboard via a ribbon cable. If your screen shows **colored lines, flickering, or distorted colors**, the issue may come from this connection.

Test: Partially disassemble the screen and gently press on the ribbon cable. If the image returns to normal:

• **If the screen connector is faulty**, the entire screen needs to be replaced.
• **If the ribbon cable is damaged**, replacing it is an affordable fix.
• **If the motherboard connector is defective**, replacing the motherboard is recommended.

STEP 2: TEST ANOTHER SCREEN

If the screen remains black, the issue could be with the screen itself or another hardware component. Try the following tests:

• Connect your laptop to an **external monitor** via HDMI or VGA.
• Install a different screen on your laptop.

Results:

• ✔ **If the external display works**, the laptop screen is likely faulty.
• ✔ **If no display appears**, the issue may be related to the graphics card, motherboard, or RAM.

SPECIAL CASE: LOW BRIGHTNESS (INVERTER FAILURE?)

On LCD screens, an **inverter** (voltage converter) controls brightness. If the screen appears black but shows a faint image under external light (such as a phone flashlight), the issue is likely:

• **A faulty inverter** → replacing it is a cost-effective fix.
• **A backlight failure** → see LCD Screen - Backlight Issue.
• **A motherboard or GPU issue** → further troubleshooting is needed.

SUMMARY OF SOLUTIONS BASED ON THE ISSUE

NEED A NEW SCREEN?

If your screen needs replacement, browse our extensive range of compatible LCD and touchscreen displays:

BROWSE OUR SCREEN COLLECTION