Is Fixing a Broken Laptop Screen a Good Idea?

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Broken Laptop Screen

Looking into fixing a broken screen on a laptop? Wondering if you need laptop screen repair or replacement?

2019 showed an amazing 261 million PCs sold globally. Inevitably, there’s going to be a percentage of devices needing repair. The chances are high that you’ll need to fix a broken laptop screen at some point due to a defect or damage in the service life of the product.

So how do you do it? Do you DIY it, or take it in for repair? It might help to know when and why you would do both. We’ll get to that, and what the typical steps are these days.

Grab your favorite mini Phillips screwdriver and spudger and ground yourself. Keep reading to find out what to do with them.

Diagnosing the Problem

You might know exactly what the problem is. The screen has a crack across it, how much more obvious do you need it to be?

Well, while the screen is visibly broken, more than the screen may be busted. One way to test that out first is to plug a tv or monitor into it and see if you can get a picture on the other display. Keep in mind you may have to use hotkeys to select “extend,” “second screen,” or “duplicate” projection options.

If there’s no visible damage to your screen but it’s not powering on or just showing black, this is step number one (assuming your computer is turning on). If there’s no visible damage, but you see splotches or flickering, or if there are defects like dead pixels, strange resolutions, and so on, don’t open it. It’s best to call for computer repair. Your warranty covers defects and some damage up to a certain time period with the limitation that you haven’t touched anything yet!

How To Fix a Broken Laptop Screen

Now, if it’s out of warranty or it isn’t covered, this is the time to do your research and find an OEM replacement or compatible screen. It’s really a great idea to look up your specific model and hope that there is a video showing disassembly for your specific model.

Before you start, make sure your laptop is unplugged and, if you can, pull out the battery and hold the power button for about 10 seconds to purge the board of leftover power.

Step one: Find and remove any screws holding your bezel (the plastic area around your screen). Some sleeker laptops from HP and others might not have screws and instead may be an aluminum case with an IPS (shiny black glass) screen that easily pops in and out using a plastic wedge called a spudger.

Step two: To remove any ribbon cables, carefully, from the screen, you’ll likely need to first remove the screen from the case. There will be a few screws (and possibly tape) holding it in place. If you have a hairdryer, it could help soften the adhesive on the tape.

Step three: You’ll be adding your new LCD screen in reverse of how you removed the old one. Attach the cables, replace the screws (and thermal tape if it’s still usable), snap the bezel in, reattach the power, cross your fingers, and hit the power button.

Repair or Replace? It’s up to You

If you need to fix a broken laptop screen, you have options. It might not even be worth it, and you need to replace your laptop altogether. Also, never forget certified repair shops or manufacturer factory repair with your warranty.

Want more tips and guides like this? Tasteful Space has you covered with tech reviews, DIY guides, and more.

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