It’s a safe assumption that the vast majority of computer users today use LCD monitors. It is in fact a very reliable technology and it’s not often that you hear of one breaking. But being that it’s an electronic device, yes it will eventually fail.
How long does it take before an LCD fails completely?
Usually about 5 to 7 years.
What is the first thing to "go" on an LCD monitor?
With a free-standing LCD (i.e. one attached to regular desktop computer), the backlight is usually the first thing to break. With a laptop a whole host of other things can go awry. More on that in a moment. When a backlight fails, the picture will get extremely dim. It will still work but be almost unreadable.
Is it worth it to repair an LCD monitor?
Never. The cost of repairing an LCD monitor will usually cost more than replacing it outright.
Common issues with LCD monitors
Solid horizontal and/or vertical lines
One day you will turn on the monitor and these brightly colored lines will appear with no way to get rid of them. This is a hardware fault and there is no fix for this. Replace the monitor.
Monitor takes a while to "warm up" after starting it
You turn the monitor on and it takes a minute or two to reach full brightness. This is a backlight issue. You can still use the monitor normally until the backlight breaks (which it will eventually).
Monitor flickers on and off randomly
This is laptop-specific. The LCD ribbon connector cable is damaged from normal use of opening and closing the lid over time. This can be repaired. The monitor does not need replacement, but the ribbon connector cable does.
If you’re brave enough you can order this part from the OEM manufacturer and replace it yourself. It it normally located under the left-side hinge. It is not easy, but certainly cheaper than replacing the entire display.
Suggested course of action is to locate an authorized computer repair center and have them replace the ribbon connector. It will cost anywhere from $60 to $150, labor included. This may sound expensive but it’s still cheaper than replacing the monitor itself which will cost a whole lot more.
Corners or one side of monitor appears dimmer than the other
Again this is a backlight issue. There is no fix. Deal with it or replace the monitor.
Everything "goes green" or "goes pink" or "goes red"
For laptops, again this is the ribbon connector cable. Replace it. For desktops, replace the monitor cable which may or may not fix the problem.
"Wild patterns" appear for no reason
It will look something like this:
No fix for this. Monitor is busted. Replace it.
Running Windows? Your PC Is a Target.
The Hacker's Nightmare gives you everything you need to know to protect your machine, in plain-English. Too important to make it complicated! Find Out More.


Rich Menga is PCMech's video guy, an author and part-time host of PCMech LIVE.



alifaan said:
7/22/2008 4:57 pm
What about automatic adjust. I don’t press the automatic adjust button but sometime my monitor start adjusting itself. Adjusting more then 20 times, and then he will stop. Passed more then 1 year, and i still can find some solution about it. It’s Samsung SyncMaster 720N.
[Reply]
Rich Menga reply on July 23, 2008 12:30 pm:
Manufacturer specific.
http://www.fixya.com/support/t262186-samsung_731n_auto_adjustment
[Reply]
Steve Stone said:
7/22/2008 7:19 pm
Nice keyboard in the photo. Looks like the original for the IBM 5150 PC. You could get an 8 bit full length VGA card for those beasts towards end of life.. which means you could plug an LCD display into an 8088 based rig. That description for the failing ribbon cable between the LCD and the laptop innards is similar to a problem I had with a Thinkpad T41.. but it required a motherboard replacement. Too much flex of the MB planar results in marginal connection between the ATI chipset sub assembly and the motherboard planar.
[Reply]
Rich Menga reply on July 22, 2008 10:56 pm:
That keyboard is probably an IBM Model M (http://www.clickykeyboards.com). Some gamers prefer them because they’re extremely responsive.
I would use one myself but it doesn’t have a Win-key. And I totally admit I use that key all the time.
[Reply]
shannon said:
7/31/2008 7:41 pm
My LCD had been faithful for 4 1/2 years but then when first turning on my background would come up but in a split second it would fade to white…sometimes I could get it to stay on, so I decided to leave it on constantly. After a week the picture went black. When I turn it on I have a quick flash of light then it’s no picture. It has built in speakers and they seem to work. Are you able to tell me what’s wrong?!
[Reply]
Liam said:
8/6/2008 4:24 am
I recently had a problem on my laptop where the bottom half of the screen was brighter than the top half. I opened the bezel and found no obvious problems. Out of something just to try before I saw about getting it repaired, I loosened one of the four screwes that secure the panel into the metal bezel frame and the problem went away. Looks like the frame was putting pressure on the LCD and causing the problem.
[Reply]