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.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.
30 thoughts on “LCD Monitor Troubleshooting 101”
P.S. I have LG Flatron W1942S monitor
http://forum.pcmech.com/
I am using a LG LCD monitor connected to the desktop. On startup it changes color.After switching off and on the monitor it restores its original color. It happens every time when I boot the desktop system, Why does this happen? Please clarify
http://forum.pcmech.com/
Any support can be a lot appreciated
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,,
Many thanks
Howard
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Thanks
i was on the internet , then out of the blue , my screen went completely white. In a matter of about 2 seconds , i had no images, just a plain white screen.
I removed the monitor , and plugged it in, just the monitor alone , and nothing but a solid white screen.
I hooked up my spare monitor , and it was fine , everything was working well.
What could have caused this so suddenly, it was instant.
Can it be fixed.
comments appreciated
Barry
i was on the internet , then out of the blue , my screen went completely white. In a matter of about 2 seconds , i had no images, just a plain white screen.
I removed the monitor , and plugged it in, just the monitor alone , and nothing but a solid white screen.
I hooked up my spare monitor , and it was fine , everything was working well.
What could have caysed this so suddenly, it was instant.
Can it be fixed.
comments appreciated
Barry
Any help would be much appreciated
I had replaced the old CRT in my computer with new LCD Ttype LG FLATRON W1942S but after one month I face aproblem when I am using walky talky few meters far away
then the LCD power becoms OFF & ON after that this happened again but the LCD did not work with no power light only if the walky talky pressed transmit the power light goes ON without bright in the screen.
Thank you
I also tried another power cord, and that didn’t seem to do anything. It can’t be the power bar, because the tower for my PC as well as my speakers are running off of the same bar, and changing plugs on the bar didn’t do anything, either.
Any ideas?
TQ
mans
Thanks anyway!
KC
I can find no information that allows selecting either VGA or DVI output from the graphics card, so must assume they are both hot.
What can be wrong?
Thanks,
KC
Many Thanks
I’m an old electronics tech from the navy and know that everything we use is repairable. The only thing lacking for me is the whereabouts of block diagrams and schematics. Are there any available? My Neovo is experiencing a vertical line problem. I can rap the side and get it to stop displaying these random lines. Sometimes the screen is full of them other times it is only in small rows. My first task will be to open the case and see if there are any obvious problems. The next thing to do will be to resolder the components that are subject to heat. I might use a plastic wand or a toothpick and tap around on different components until I find the one that is causing the problem.
Comments are closed.