Revive Your Laptop Screen: 7 Genius Hacks to Banish Lines, Blank Screens, and Damage!

Dealing with a laptop screen that's been in use for over a year can bring about various issues like flickering, lines appearing, lagging, freezing, or even the dreaded black or blank screen. The presence of a laptop screen is crucial as it's one of the main components for operating the device. Damage to the screen can be caused by several factors, ranging from the age of the laptop itself to improper handling.

how to repair laptop screen

There are several methods to address a damaged laptop screen. However, before diving into solutions, it's essential to identify the type of laptop being used to ensure more effective troubleshooting.

Types of Laptop Screens

There are several common types of laptop screens used by various leading brands worldwide. Whether high-end or budget-friendly, they all utilize this system.

So, which category does your laptop screen fall into? Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them:

1. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 

Liquid Crystal Display, commonly known as LCD, is the most commonly used type of laptop screen in earlier laptop models, particularly those released before 2009. 

LCD screens consist of chemical liquid molecules that react to electrical currents, producing light, which serves as the screen's light source. Physically, LCD screens appear thick with elongated cable slots. 

Additionally, they require more power and are typically connected to an inverter unit for stable operation. 

One drawback of LCD screens is their high power consumption, resulting in shorter battery life, typically lasting no more than 2 hours.

Pros of LCD Screens:

• - Affordable component prices
• - Good image resolution
• - Decent image quality

Cons of LCD Screens:

• - High power consumption
• - Not environmentally friendly
• - Screen radiation can be harmful to the eyes.

2. LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Contrary to LCDs, Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens utilize chemical molecules with CCFL technology or fluorescent neon lights to emit their own light. 

LED screens can emit both visible and invisible light, akin to infrared light, which can be useful for viewing in dark conditions. Consequently, LED screens produce brighter and more stable displays. 

They became the second-generation screen component for laptops after LCDs were phased out. Compared to LCDs, LED screens consume less power and no longer require an inverter, contributing to longer battery life in laptops released after 2009. 

Physically, there's little difference between LCD and LED screens, both appearing thick. However, LED screens no longer feature inverter cables. 

Despite similarities, LED screens have seen advancements over time, such as the introduction of Slim LED in 2013, boasting thinner dimensions compared to its predecessors. 

Initially exclusive to premium laptops, Slim LED has become more accessible, even appearing in mid-range and budget laptops.

Pros of LED Screens:

• - Energy-efficient
• - Brighter display
• - Longer-lasting
• - Environmentally friendly

Cons of LED Screens:

• - Higher component costs
• - Thinner and more touch-sensitive layers.

Common Laptop Screen Sizes

After familiarizing yourself with several types of laptop screens commonly used in daily life, the next step is to understand the various screen sizes available in the market. This is crucial because it significantly affects the performance of the laptop you own or plan to purchase. Additionally, screen size also impacts your comfort during activities, especially if you spend extended periods in front of a laptop screen. Here are some common screen sizes explained:

1. 9-12 Inch Laptop Screens

Laptops with screen sizes ranging from 9 to 12 inches are typically found in netbooks, which are small-sized, affordable laptops with relatively short battery life. These laptops are well-suited for browsing and other light activities.

2. 11-14 Inch Laptop Screens

If the previous screen sizes were associated with netbooks, the 11 to 14-inch laptop screens belong to Ultrabooks, a newer category of laptops in the market. Ultrabooks feature slim bodies and robust processors and batteries. They are ideal for individuals with high mobility who often work away from power sources.

3. 14-15 Inch Laptop Screens

These screen sizes are commonly found in standard laptops. They usually come equipped with Intel Dual-Core processors, ample RAM, and storage capacities exceeding 256 GB. Laptops with these screen sizes are well-suited for office work requiring both comfort and performance. Additionally, some laptops in the 14 to 15-inch range are specifically designed for gaming and multimedia purposes.

4. Laptop Screens Larger than 17 Inches

Screen sizes exceeding 17 inches are typically found in laptops categorized as desktop replacements, intended to serve as portable alternatives to PCs. Laptops with these screen sizes usually boast high performance and are ideal for individuals who require PC-level performance for high-mobility tasks such as remote video editing, rendering, or design work in remote locations.

Repairing a Damaged Laptop Screen

Now, it's time to understand the various types of damages commonly encountered with laptop screens. If you're already familiar with the ins and outs of laptop types and sizes, then the range of damages that typically occur on laptops is quite diverse.

Each type of damage has its own causes and consequences. Here are some of them:

1. Fixing a Flickering Laptop Screen

A flickering laptop screen is usually caused by various factors, such as excessively high screen resolution, unstable power supply, or faulty VGA. Naturally, a flickering screen can strain the eyes, especially when used for extended periods. 

Moreover, flickering laptops often display visuals that are somewhat low-definition, which can be unsatisfactory, particularly if you require detailed visual displays for design and editing purposes. 

Therefore, it's crucial to determine the cause of your laptop screen flickering. If the issue stems from overly high resolution, you can adjust it through the control panel settings. 

If an unstable power supply is the problem, using a stabilizer or repairing the stabilizer component in your laptop screen is the solution. 

As for a faulty VGA, there's no other option but to take it to a service center, as diagnosing issues with built-in laptop VGA can be challenging.

2. Repairing a Laptop Screen with Lines and Vibrations Due to Carelessness

Laptop screens with lines and vibrations upon startup typically occur in laptops with LCD screens, although it's not impossible for this issue to affect LED screens as well. 

Generally, this is caused by laptops being frequently opened and closed or dropped on the laptop's hinge area, resulting in screen disturbances due to damage or loose parts. 

To address this, the primary solution is to dismantle the laptop screen to inspect and rectify any loose or damaged components. If it's merely loose, you can readjust it to its original position. 

However, if the issue is more complicated, it's advisable to take the laptop to the nearest service technician.

3. Fixing Distorted Laptop Screens Due to Hardware Issues

The main characteristic of distorted laptop screens is their typically lined and vibrating appearance. Issues like these are rare but highly disruptive when they occur. In most cases, distorted laptop screens result from hardware component damage on your laptop. 

For instance, loose video output cables or incorrect OS settings. If the issue lies within the OS, you can directly check it through the BIOS.

If there are no issues with the BIOS display, you can reinstall the OS. If the issue lies with loose output cables, you need to dismantle the screen. 

4. Repairing a Black Laptop Screen (Blank Screen)

A laptop screen that's black (but the machine is still running) is usually caused by various factors. Some of these include improperly installed RAM or a faulty backlight illuminating the screen. 

To confirm if the problem indeed lies with the black laptop screen, you can connect it to a projector or computer monitor. If it works, then the issue is with the laptop screen. 

To troubleshoot, carefully dismantle the laptop and identify the cause. If it's a RAM issue, you can reseat or reinstall it. 

If the problem persists, try cleaning the metal pins on the RAM or motherboard slot with an eraser. If the problem continues, it's time to take your laptop to a service center.

5. Repairing an Inverted Laptop Screen

An inverted laptop screen refers to the display rotating 90 degrees upon startup. This condition is typically experienced if you accidentally press certain keys or if there's a hardware issue with the laptop. If it's the former, you can perform the following simple steps:

Press Ctrl + Alt + → [Right Arrow]: This command will rotate your screen 90 degrees to the right.

Press Ctrl + Alt + ↓ [Down Arrow]: This command will rotate your screen 180 degrees downwards.

Press Ctrl + Alt + ← [Left Arrow]: This command will rotate your screen 270 degrees to the left.

Ctrl + Alt + ↑ [Up Arrow]: This command will rotate your screen 360 degrees upwards, returning it to its normal position.

If the issue is hardware-related, there's no other solution but to dismantle the laptop or seek assistance from a nearby computer service technician.

6. Repairing a Moving Laptop Screen

Is your laptop screen moving on its own? There's no need to panic because this condition isn't caused by supernatural or paranormal disturbances. This condition, known as ghost touch, commonly occurs with touchscreen laptops.

Typically, a moving screen is caused by several factors, such as overheating, low battery, or unstable power supply from the charger. 

To address this, first identify the underlying issue. If it's due to an overheating laptop, try reducing its temperature to normal room temperature. If it's because of a low battery, charging the laptop with a charger is the best solution. 

For charger power supply issues, repairing or replacing it with a new one is the best course of action.

7. Repairing a Laptop Screen That Changes Color

The main cause of a laptop screen changing color is disruptions or damage to the VGA. Additionally, improperly connected or damaged connector cables can also be the main cause of this issue. 

To address this, you can first dismantle the laptop screen. The first step is to try connecting your laptop to another screen. If the color persists, then the issue is likely with the VGA. You can directly take it to a service center. 

If the issue lies with damaged or pinched cables, you can replace them with new ones.

How to Care for and Clean Your Laptop Screen

To ensure your laptop screen lasts long, there are several routine maintenance tasks you should perform to care for your laptop. One of them is cleaning the screen. 

Handling different types of screens requires different methods. Therefore, it's essential to understand how to clean your laptop screen properly. Here's how:

1. Cleaning a Regular Laptop Screen

To clean a regular laptop screen, all you need is a microfiber cloth or a cloth typically used for cleaning glasses.

Firstly, shut down your laptop.

Then, gently wipe the screen in one direction using a microfiber cloth. If necessary, you can also wipe in circular motions to remove stubborn stains.

Spray a gentle cleaning solution made of distilled water with additional chemical-free ingredients around the screen to clean the surrounding area.

Your laptop screen will be clean and shiny again.

2. Cleaning a Touchscreen Laptop Screen

Similar to caring for a regular laptop screen, cleaning a touchscreen laptop screen requires a soft microfiber cloth to clean the surface and surrounding areas. Here's what you need to do:

Turn off your laptop and, if possible, remove the laptop battery.

Clean the laptop screen with the prepared microfiber cloth.

If needed, add a little distilled water to clean stubborn dirt.

Wipe off any remaining cleaning solution until none is left.

Allow your laptop screen to dry.

You can now power on your laptop again.

3. Cleaning a Scratched Laptop Screen

If your laptop screen is scratched, cleaning it requires a specific technique to not only clean but also gradually remove the scratches. The procedure for cleaning a scratched laptop screen is relatively straightforward. Here's how:

Ensure your laptop is turned off and not connected to a power source.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the screen and add a little distilled water if necessary, then gently rub it using a microfiber cloth or tissue on the scratched area.

Wait for a few minutes.

Then, wipe the laptop screen surface with a new cloth or tissue until the toothpaste residue disappears.

Repeat this process several times until the scratches begin to fade. However, be careful not to use too much liquid as it can cause significant damage to your laptop screen!

Cleaning a White Laptop

Apart from cleaning the laptop screen, you also need to clean other parts. However, there's a problem if the laptop you're cleaning is white. If that's the case, here's what you need to do:

Prepare 1 bottle of white wood oil and cotton balls or soft tissues.

Pour a little white wood oil onto a cotton ball or tissue.

Wipe the entire laptop, such as the body and keyboard, with the cotton ball or tissue. Avoid wiping the screen, as it may damage the surface.

Repeat the process until your white laptop is completely clean and shiny!

To complement laptop cleaning, especially on the laptop screen, you'll need a special cleaning solution. This is because laptop bodies are usually made of plastic, making them susceptible to damage from chemicals. 

A similar occurrence can happen to the screen if you use cleaning solutions indiscriminately.

Oh, and you can also make your own cleaning solution, so you can save money and not spend a fortune on laptop maintenance. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients Needed:

• White vinegar, not fruit vinegar or similar.
• Distilled water, either from a gallon or filtered through rocks.
• Container for mixing.
• Water funnel.
• Spoon or fork.
• Empty perfume bottle or other bottles with sprayers.

Making Process:

• Pour vinegar and distilled water into a container in equal proportions.
• Stir the cleaning solution with a spoon or fork until thoroughly mixed.
• Then, transfer the prepared cleaning solution into a bottle using a water funnel.
• Your cleaning solution is now ready for use.

Easy, right? Give it a try!