LCD Monitor Troubleshooting 101

by Rich Menga on Jul 22, 2008 | 55 comments

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.

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zak
Hi,
I have a dell inspiron 1420 and while i was using in my monitor suddenly started displaying white as pink black as flourecent green and the hole screen looks fuzzy (as if part of the picture is copied over a milimeter to the left)
when i connect an external monitor it works fine.
any help or thoughts on what the problem might be would be appreciated.
thanks
Den
I had a dell inspiron 1420 that had horizontal wavy colored lines that looked somewhat like static lines, and had distorted images. I replaced the LCD display with a Dell refurbished LCD display. WORKS GREAT
Alex
I have a problem with monitor. When I start computer windows start normaly , but monitor just stay black. After restart computer everything is normal, windows and monitor start. What is the problem? Thanks!
John
You know, at first I thought this article was written by a fairly informed person, right up until I read this: “The cost of repairing an LCD monitor will usually cost more than replacing it outright.”
I’ve been repairing LCD monitors and TVs since they hit the market. Who ever told you they are not worth repairing? We repair boards (main, power, inverter) and replace backlights. Repair costs usually run less than half the price of a new monitor.
For example, repairing a 22″ LCD with a bad backlight would cost about $60 labour and $15 to $25 for the light. Making the repair $75 to $85 Canadian (U.S. and Canadian dollars are pretty much at par right now).
Often the problem is a few capacitors, which would reduce the cost to under $70. A 15″ or 17″ monitor would run $50 labour, and in the case of the 15″ may not be worth repairing unless you are using it in a specific location because of its small size. (We get units from stores and restaurants all the time and they are happy to pay to get a 15″ monitor repaired).
Usually after a repair the monitor works like new, and often better than new because we don’t use the substandard parts many manufacturers use.
I often see LCD monitors and TVs in trash bins around our city, and I am forced to wonder why they didn’t try to have it repaired. If the trashed units are in good condition, I will repair them and sell them at 1/2 the cost of new.
Please, if you don’t know about a subject don’t write about it. Some of these people may have thrown out valuable monitors that could be repaired at a worth while cost because they read on your website that’s it’s not worth repairing them.
I’m just amazed at how many people who use an item for a while, or even multiple items, think this somehow makes them an expert at electronics. If you don’t do the repairs, then don’t write about it. You just make yourself look foolish while passing FUD to people looking for accurate information.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
You didn’t seem to send any links to back up what you said, so I will.
Your quote on the 22-inch repair is wrong. 22-inch and up is over $100 for repair. You must work real cheap.
A brand new 22-inch is $159, with free shipping I might add.
I’ll spend the extra $54 for new with a 3-year parts+labor warranty. And although this is just a wild guess, I’m fairly certain you don’t offer a warranty that comes anywhere close to that for the monitors you repair, assuming you even offer a warranty at all.

John
We offer a 90 day warranty as is standard in our industry. Most people here purchase their monitors from stores. I myself just purchased a 23″ Samsung 16 x 9 fpr $197.
Prices are coming down fast, however that doesn’t stop people from getting their monitors repaired, as we do it every day. As I stated, our price for a 22″ LCD monitor repair is $60 plus parts. $60 is an hours labour. Anyone of reasonable skill can repair any 22″ LCD monitor in under an hour. If you’re quoting $100 (or more) then that is either for a board replacement or it’s from “Rip Offs Are Us”.
We actually repair boards, having been trained in surface-mount. You know, a technician? Not some Robertson Career College grad who’s only been taught to swap boards.
The fact is 90% of repairs stay repaired. Those other 10% get their money back, or they get a free repair on us so it stays repaired.
This all goes back to my original point. LCD monitors are perfectly repairable, often under half the cost of a new monitor.

Dave
Hi John!
I’m with you! We throw out way too stuff in our society. The best way to recycle products in our world is to keep using them. I sure would appreciate your assistance and guidance with a ViewSonic VG175 a friend has given up on. We need one and things are tight (as I’m sure you’ve seen up there, too). I’m having no luck finding repair and diagnosis manuals that don’t cost as much as a new monitor. Any help and direction would be appreciated! Thanks, Dave

Howard
Please assist….my Sony Bravia 32″ LCD screen exhibits a dark cloudy mark which blends in to some images but irritates when a light background is present. The device is two years old. What is wrong and can it be repaired?
Many thanks
Howard
Gerry
Another reason a laptop display may flicker is the ‘Inverter’ is on its way out. In the same way as a flourescent tube flicker may be caused by the ‘starter’ failing, an LCD backlight may flicker due to the inverter board (which generates the high voltage needed to ‘kick’ the backlight into operation) starting to fail.
Aditya
hi…
I Have a dell inspiron 1420, my LCD is flicker for about 2 second interval.
I know This is not a driver problem, because when I open the BIOS Menu this problem still occur.
Anyone help me please,,
i bought this laptop about 2 Years,,
EzyPeezy
You are goofy. It's not all that hard. Some of it is just plain easy. I won't tell you though.
Curtsbigguns
I have a problem with my Monitor. For some reason my monitor isn't displaying different shades of color properly. Some colors are smooth but others seem to have tiny vertical lines which seem to appear more in darker colors. Is this fixable or do I need a new monitor?
Carolyn alston
My gateway lcd computer monitor blurs when bumped, if I bump it hard enough the picture clears up for a liittle while but then gets blurry agian? What is causing this? Thanks.
Louie
I still can't believe how many “black-screen-of-death” lcd monitor owners have not viewed some of the “lcd monitor disassembly” and “lcd monitor repair” videos on YOUTUBE!!! Some units can be repaired on a DIY basis for less than $6 US in parts. I'm 12fixlouie over on fixya. com
http://www.freecomputerrepairservices.com/software/ten-free-registry-repair-software-reviews.html free registry repair
Very helpful. Thank you. I’ve been frustrated trying to open this .efw file, yet all these sites I’ve pulled up to help me only want to install new software for a “free” scan, then charge me for what may or may not be a remedy. I know where to come for advice from now on. Again, thank you.
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i also have an Ge L22WTQ, 2 YEARS Previous then one night time the idea travelled unusual on us! The display proceeded to go grainy, and the contrast/gradient is very harsh on movies and pictures. I have recast to default qualities in the display screen and I surely understand that is not our graphics card, or perhaps connectors as I am having simply no issue operating an Horsepower W2216 using the same configurations and physical objects. I have routed the product to whirlpool to be set, on the other hand they did not seem to solve the colour issue. Really does anyone realize precisely why i am having this difficulty (with the monitor/troubleshoot) so I can understand what i am talking about while i call Ge again.
Any support can be a lot appreciated
Casandsurfsnow
What is wrong with an LCD monitor when I change from 60Hz to 120Hz and every other vertical line is blank?