Author: Delilah Daut
Friday, January 3, 2020

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen



A laptop screen is a delicate part of a computer. Having a broken laptop screen can be catastrophic to the user. Any operation that's taking place in the computer system is not going to be visible. Regardless of whether you are amazingly cautious with your equipment, it very well may be unavoidable now and again to run into issues. Because you are encountering issues with your display doesn't imply that your workstation is past sparing, however.

Fixing your PC screen is not the most natural activity, and there is a probability you can aggravate the issue. It's good to be sure about your skills before you start the replacement process. Whether it has too many blown pixels or it is cracked, a wrecked laptop screen can bring you to an abrupt halt. In any case, with the correct instruments, a little specialized ability, and a touch of tolerance, you can replace a broken laptop screen.

What Causes Laptop Screens to Break?

Laptop screens are designed to keep up with the rigidities of their daily use. Regardless, the screens remain very fragile. Most of these screens (in both LCDs and notebooks) are less than 0.25 inches thick. If the pressure is applied to the LCD assembly, or if they are poked or twisted, the screens of these devices break or crack.

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen

Checking the Level of Damage

You might feel or see cracks if you look at the screen of a tempered laptop glass. Sometimes, sharp flakes or edges of the glass are present when you run your finger along the damaged area. The latter is dangerous and should be avoided. When a damaged screen is on, there is a likelihood that nothing will be seen. If you flex your laptop screen beyond its breaking point, bang something on the screen, shut a hard substance between the keyboard and the screen, or drop it, this is usually the result.

In some cases, the glass is not going to break. On the contrary, a large splotch is going to appear on your laptop screen. This splotch is black with black trails radiating like a spider's web. These types of damage occur when you apply pressure on the back of the unit or on the screen itself. If you sit on your device or step on it, this splotch is bound to appear. Although the glass is not going to break, the chemical responsible for rendering images is leaked.

How Much Does It Cost?

You're going to be glad to know it is not as costly as you may expect. Professional repairs can cost upwards of $300. However, since you are happy repairing yourself, you can generally purchase replacement screens online at costs of around $80. However, the cost of laptop replacement screens is different depending on the speed, size, and brand, among other qualities. For example:

  • The replacement price of a broken HP laptop screen depends on the parts used to make the laptop and the model. Typically, an HP replacement screen is going to cost you between $50 to $100. The leap in price is caused by the gap in technology between modern and traditional screens. When it comes to touch screens, the price can go up to $250.
  • For a Dell laptop, the replacement price varies between $20 to $80. When touchscreens are involved, the price can soar up to $200 depending on the size, model, and make.
  • The LCD screens for Toshiba laptops can be quite expensive. To buy one, you are going to spend from $250 to $500 depending on the type and size of the screen.

The price of a new screen also depends heavily on age. If your laptop is a newer version, a replacement screen is bound to be expensive.  

It only takes an hour or two to do the replacement by yourself. You have the option to get one from either the PC producer's approved parts seller or an outsider provider. By doing the repairs yourself, you stand the chance of rescuing a computer you thought you need to discard. Below are a few steps you can follow to help you proceed successfully with the process.

Know the Computer Model

Before starting the replacement process, it is essential to do a little research and find out what repairs need to be made. The kind of laptop you have has an impact on the amount you are going to pay for another screen, as will its age, which may make finding a substitution somewhat troublesome. You should do some exploration online to see whether you have the alternative to fix the screen yourself. If you have trouble finding a screen, attempt other ID numbers from the workstation name or documentation. A few sellers use various ID numbers that could fill in as your model number.

Turn It On and Inspect It

The initial step is to ensure your laptop can power up effectively and that the screen is the main issue you have to address. As a test, attach your workstation to a different screen. By using the HDMI output or a standard VGA monitor, you can ensure that your laptop's graphics card is functioning. On the off chance that your PC appears to work well, the messed up PC screen is all you need to stress over. If it doesn't, you likely have a broken motherboard and/or graphics card. Remember that a few workstations need to have some functions keys pressed all together for the display to work.

Some other issues in your computer system can cause your screen not to work correctly:

  • If the images displayed on your PC screen seem faint, the backlight may be the problem. This is because it creates obstacles in the visibility path of the screen. A rogue latch that stays stuck in the closed position when you open your PC may cause this. If this is the case, you need to locate the backlight switches located near the laptop hinges. Using a small pin, open it and loosen the latch.
  • Images and texts may not be well displayed due to pixel issues. If a section of pixels is damaged, the laptop may have screen visibility problems.
  • If the laptop screen has a solid white color appearance, a poor cable connection between the system and the screen board may be the cause. If so, opening the laptop and ensuring all cables are connected well is going to fix the issue.

A laptop that will not start up correctly or one that has a damaged graphics card shows that another screen is not sufficient to get you operational once more. Likewise, if the edges of your laptop have endured physical harm, at that point, you may have some trouble fixing your screen. When you have investigated your gadget and decided that you can fix it all alone, you can proceed to research on where to find your laptop's replacement screen.

Find the Right Replacement

One of the fundamental reasons you should know the model of your PC is, so you are sure that you will obtain the right substitution screen. Different companies offer laptop repair kits, which can ease the process. However, if you choose the wrong screen, your replacement attempts are bound to fail. If you are experiencing issues making sense of your PC model, you can visit the "Settings" menu and locate the sequential number to help you in your replacement search.

Luckily, finding the correct screen for your gadget does not need to be upsetting. Frequently you can discover what you are searching for by entering your PC's model number into the search bar of your online retailer. You may sometimes need to input the term 'LCD' to narrow down the search results that match your needs.

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen

A few retailers may utilize another distinguishing proof for your PC's model, so make sure that you are picking the right replacement before purchasing. Practically all the data you need should be displayed on the retail page. Once more, make sure to compare the specifications of your gadget and the screen you are acquiring, and ensure that the video cable shown by the retailer is the same one on the back of your screen. It is genuinely simple to know whether the correct screen is accessible most of the time.

Find the Right Tools

You will require a couple of tools to introduce your new screen appropriately. These devices can make the procedure a lot less complicated and enable you to fix things productively. You are going to need to have the following:

  •   A flat working surface or table: You are going to need a flat area to place your laptop as you stand or sit, depending on your preferred choice.
  •   Needle or safety pin: This is important to remove the bezel. The bezel is the cover sticker that hides the screws that hold the laptop screen in place.
  •   Small-head magnetic screwdriver: A mid-sized screwdriver works best for laptops. A magnetic screwdriver attaches the screws to itself to make removing and replacing easy. If it is difficult to find one,    look for a magnet that is big enough to magnetize the head of the screwdriver. This is going to keep your screws attached to the driver-head.
  •   Plastic putty knife: This is important to help you take apart the bezel from the laptop case. Some people find their nails to do the trick. If you decide to use another object, ensure it is thin but not sharp.    A sharp object may leave lines of scrapes and signs of meddling.
  •   A container: You need a container to keep the small screws safe from loss or interference.
  •   Some tape/ adhesive: Once the replacement process is over, you will need to secure the new screen to the laptop frame.
  •   A replacement screen. 

Screen repair packs are likewise accessible for specific models, so it is justified to examine the type of PC you have and check whether they are accessible. These tools equip you with all that you need early enough so you can get the chance to work and not stress over missing an essential instrument. When you have collected the tools you need for the replacement process, you can get to fix your gadget. Lay the shut PC on the level surface you have picked and keep your apparatuses close.

The Replacement Process

The following steps need to be taken for a successful replacement procedure:

  1. 1. Unplug your PC

To avoid the risk of electric shock, first, turn the laptop off and make sure it is unplugged. It is helpful to remove the battery, too; it is essential to avoid other issues. Once thriving, you should identify the stickers that conceal the screws on the screen bezel. You can find them close to the base of your screen, where the pivots would be the point at which you have your presentation opened. There are two.

  1. 2. Remove Stickers and Screws

Using the pin, remove the stickers found on the bezel of the laptop to avoid damaging them. Make sure to keep the stickers safe until the end of the process. You will need them later once the replacement process is complete to help you attach your new screen. It is also advisable to keep the sticky side facing up. Once the stickers are out, the screws are exposed.

Now pick up your screwdriver and start to remove them. To loosen screws, rotate the screwdriver left or counter-clockwise. The difficulty of the process depends on how tightly the screws were driven in during the manufacturing process. Removing the screws should not be a big challenge if the screen is appropriately aligned. Once the screws are out, remember to place them in the container to avoid misplacing them.

  1. 3. Take off the Bezel

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen

It is now an appropriate time to remove the bezel delicately. Ensure you are cautious when removing your old screen's bezel-you are going to put it back as soon as the damaged screen is replaced. Plastic tabs secure the bezel to the back case of the laptop. Using a thin object or a putty knife, try to remove the laptop screen from the case. A little effort may be necessary to remove it successfully. Sometimes, you are going to hear a plastic snapping sound when you are trying to remove the bezel. Do not be alarmed. The unfastened plastic tabs that hold the screen on the laptop case cause this snapping sound.

If the old screen does not seem to be coming off, there is a likelihood that you did not loosen the screws enough. Take your time to loosen them well before proceeding. Sometimes, the old screen may be stuck on the hinges. To free it from the case, all you have to do is wiggle it gently.

  1. 4. Remove the Old Screen

This may be the trickiest step in the screen removal process. Your first step should be confirming that the bezel is completely removed. This way, you are going to have complete access to the old screen. The metal frame of the laptop has to remain to secure the old screen. Before lifting the screen away from the metallic frame, you are going to notice screws at the top corners of the laptop. You might find more screws fastened to a metal trim frame on the side. All these screws need unfastening.

Remove any screws holding the old screen to the trim frame. With some other laptops, the heavy-duty tape may have been used in place of screws. It should be easy for you to lift the screen slightly away from the back screen case if you followed the steps correctly.

  1. 5. Remove Cable Connectors and Old Screen

After you take out the attachments, your old screen can now be set face down onto the keyboard. Creating enough space between the metal frame and the old screen can be a bit of a challenge. Regardless, make sure to be gentle in this process. If not, you might end up damaging the video cable that runs in the body of the laptop from the back of the screen. If you happen to damage this cable, you will have to seek professional help to repair it.

Now, look for the cable connectors and disconnect them from the old screen. The connectors are found at the bottom or in the center of the laptop screen. Sometimes, an adhesive connects the cables and the screen. In such a situation, try to pry one from the other gently. If an adhesive is not used, a tape is. However, the process of disconnecting your old screen from the video cable should be an easy one. Take the video connector and place it away from your tools, then remove the old screen.

  1. 6. Insert New Screen

The new screen placement position should be apparent the moment you remove your screen. With the screen facing down, place it within the laptop frame for a perfect fit. When this is done, take the video connector and reattach it. Make sure it sits precisely where the old screen was. If the mounting brackets, dimensions, and connectors do not match, ensure they do before proceeding. Using some adhesive or tape, make sure the alignment of the screen is perfect. The positioning should resemble that of the old screen.

Re-secure the new screen like the old one by setting it up in the trim frame pieces. They are usually three on each side plus a screw-on top of each that secures the trim frame to the screen case. When you have finished, ensure that the sides are secure. If the tape was used to hold things together, make sure to reattach it before proceeding.

  1. 7. Return the Bezel

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen

After the screws or tapes are nicely tightened, you can return the bezel to its original position. Make sure to line the bezel up and squeeze/push it back into the plastic tabs on the rear case. If you do it properly, it will not loosen easily. If everything snaps correctly in place, return the remaining screws into the bezel. Ensure that no cracks are visible along the edges of the screen. Using a pin or needle, reattach the sticky screw covers. Make sure all the screws are inserted. 

  1. 8. Power Up Your Laptop

From that point, you ought to be prepared to restart your PC. Put the battery in and connect your workstation to a power source before powering it on. If no display comes up, you will need to retrace your steps and find out what was not placed correctly. If the display appears, go to your desktop and open the browser. Make sure that no blurry lines, distorted images, or cracks appear on the screen. It is supposed to look and function like a new screen. If everything works well, you are free to use your computer again.

Can You Fix a Cracked LCD Screen?

In some situations, you may find that the laptop screen is not broken but merely cracked. You may wonder if a cracked screen is fixable without a replacement. In simple terms, the answer is no. LCD screens are made up of an LCD matrix, a backlight assembly, and may come with additional layers to diffuse reflections or add a glossy effect. It can also come alongside a touchscreen layer. Due to the gradual phasing out of traditional CCFL bulbs, mass adoption of LED backlight displays took over, and the modern ones barely fail.

The LCD matrix happens to be the most common part of the laptop screen that breaks. Within the LCD matrix, images are formed within a sealed vessel with the help of two glass substrates that form it. On each glass line, every pixel has a chemical print. In every LCD screen, there are three transistors present known as sub-pixels. When an electric current is applied, these transistors turn transparent. Passing onto a color filter through the sub-pixel from the backlight, the light passes displaying one of the three primary colors: green, red, or blue. Each pixel is then able to display around 16.5 million colors by mixing the combination and intensity of these colors.

What Happens When the Screen Cracks?

When a screen is cracked, it means that the vessel that contains the liquid crystal is broken. This is why you usually see black splotches of ink starting to leak and spread through the cracks from the glass substrates. If you decide to superglue the glass together and refill the liquid crystal solution, the process would be similar to performing neurosurgery. This is because of the irreparable damage to the thousands of transistors that are found along the cracks. Many little connections are needed for the effective working of an LCD screen; this is the reason behind the inexistence of counterfeit LCD screens. To develop a modern LCD, a top technological facility containing industrial filter systems and cleanrooms is essential.

Now, you can replace some touchscreens from the LCD module separately. However, with technological progress, they are becoming more sophisticated and thin. Some of these LCD modules have a built-in touch screen. In such a case, the touchscreen and the LCD can only be replaced together. Replacing a broken or cracked laptop screen is a better alternative at the end of the day. First, it is a safer choice for the environment. Replacing a laptop prevents thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions to the environment. Moreover, it is a more pocket-friendly option compared to buying a new PC.

In addition to you reducing the chances of losing your files and settings, you also get to keep using the device you are used to. With so many different tutorials available on how to fix your own broken laptop screen, it should be as exciting and rewarding as finding a new laptop.

How to Protect Your Screen

Every piece of technology has some guidelines to follow to ensure it stays intact and performs well for a long time. To avoid the extra expense that comes with losing your laptop screen, a couple of precautionary steps need to be followed:

  • When carrying your laptop, store it in a padded bag, sleeve, or a hard plastic case. If your laptop falls from your hand, it will be safe from damage. The same also applies to the people who have a habit of tossing their PCs into the car.
  • When storing your laptop, avoid placing them in a spot where large objects can fall or roll onto them. A screen can be damaged easily if large objects end up on top of it. This is the same reason why you are not encouraged to put your phone in your back pocket. If you want to travel with your PC, consider carrying it with you instead of placing it with other luggage.
  • If you want to pick up your laptop, pick it up from the bottom. Do not form a habit of picking up your PC using the corners of the screen.
  • After you are done using your device, and you want to sleep, place it separately in a safe spot. Do not leave it on top of the bed. Refrain from placing it on the floor too. If you are ignorant of these steps, the laptop will one day fall off the bed. Moreover, you are likely to step on your laptop when waking up if you have a habit of putting it on the floor.
  • When handling liquids, be careful not to spill them on your laptop screen. Spills can also cause screen damage.

No matter how much you care for your laptop, accidents are bound to happen. Nonetheless, if precautions are adhered to strictly, you are less likely to inflict damages on your device. Prevention is the best way to protect your laptop screen from harm. Another great option would be getting a replacement plan to cover accidents immediately when you purchase your device.

Where Should You Place Your Laptop?

It is common for people to use their laptops when seated in the most comfortable position. This may be okay to some extent but may cause issues in the future. A laptop will serve the owner for a longer duration and provide better services if it is kept under more care.

A laptop should be placed in a well-ventilated area. A laptop that constantly overheats can present a series of short term and long-term problems. Apart from serious hardware problems that may arise, faulty laptops have occasionally burned down houses. You first need to make sure all the air vents remain unblocked. You can find the air vents of your laptop either on the side, the bottom, or at the back. If these units are placed on a stable and raised platform, air from the surrounding can reach the vents. Dust present in the vents prevents air from flowing and causes overheating. For optimal laptop performance, you need to clean these vents regularly.

If you are not using your laptop, do not store in sleeping mode. If you use a foam screen protector, make sure the laptop is switched off at all times. Storing your laptop at room temperature is an ideal practice. If you expose it to extreme temperatures, ensure it goes back to room temperature before using it again.

It is advisable to keep your laptop on a stable surface. Small drops or bumps can cause damage to it. If many people use the table you use to place your laptop, consider placing it in another area. Placing your laptop near appliances with electrical fields is a bad idea. If your table has magnets, avoid using it as this may result in data loss.

How To Replace a Broken Laptop Screen

Avoid twisting and kinking the power cord by placing the laptop in a good position and the power cord in a solitary one. The room traffic should not be able to trip over it. A laptop will be yanked from the table if someone trips over its cord. Hold the cord in place by gathering into folds and holding it with Velcro wrap. The laptop screen should be placed in such a way that an object will not bump or knock onto it. Moreover, avoid using water to clean the laptop screen. Get a lint-free cloth to wipe the dust on your monitor. If you need to use a wet cloth, make sure to wring out excess moisture to avoid damaging your laptop.

Conclusion

A laptop screen is a very delicate part of a computer. Damaging one can result in multiple difficulties, or it may render the laptop unusable. Replacing a laptop screen is not difficult, but if you are unsure about yourself, seeking professional help is advisable to avoid more damage. The screen can be damaged due to many reasons: falling, lifting the laptop from the sides of the screen, being sat on, being stepped on, among others. Having the right tools and ideas on how to replace a broken laptop screen is vital to make sure the replacement process occurs smoothly. Using damage-prevention tips is the best way to protect your laptop from damage.

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