Laptop displays are among the most commonly damaged parts of a laptop. Although their repair can be challenging, if you have basic skills and the necessary tools, it’s possible to mend your screen on your own.
The amount of time it takes to repair a laptop screen depends on the model and availability of necessary tools, but generally speaking it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two to replace one.
The Time It Takes to Replace the Screen
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The duration of time it takes to replace your laptop screen depends on several factors, including its make and model. On average, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour for one screen replacement. However, this time may increase if you have multiple screens need replacing simultaneously or need to remove and install other parts of the computer such as hard drives or motherboard.
Start by taking off the cover panel of your computer. Doing so will expose all screws holding the screen in place, so be sure to remove them all. Also, any other components blocking access to your display such as batteries or hard drives should also be taken out.
Once all parts have been taken apart, you can begin replacing your laptop screen. If you are comfortable working with small electronics, this project should only take an hour to complete.
Before beginning the task at hand, be sure to clear off your table or other flat work surface and prepare the tools necessary for success. Having these items close by will save time and energy during the undertaking.
Next, take your laptop off its stand and unplug it from the power source to avoid any potential electric shocks and enable you to safely take out the battery from your laptop.
When you are ready to remove the bezel, take a screwdriver and insert it through the top of the bezel to loosen any screws. Doing this alone can be tricky, so having someone along for assistance is recommended.
Once the screws have been taken out, open up the bezel to access your screen. If lines appear across it, it could be due to a loose COF (Chip-On-Film).
Once you’ve located the COF, use Nitto-tape or regular insulating tape to secure it in place. After doing this, reattach the screen and put your laptop back together.
The Time It Takes to Install the Screen
Are you thinking about replacing your laptop screen yourself and not sure how long it’ll take? The answer to that depends on a number of factors, including the type of display to replace and how difficult it is to remove the old one.
Most laptop screens are LCDs, or liquid crystal display screens that use backlighting for visuals. Although LCDs remain the standard choice on most laptops, OLED screens are becoming increasingly popular as they’re cheaper and require less power consumption.
Replacing a screen requires several tools and plenty of patience. Although the process is simpler than you might think, it still takes some time to get everything set up properly.
First, you’ll need to remove the screen bezel. This is the part that surrounds your laptop’s display and usually secured with plastic snaps. To take out this part, carefully work a fingernail or other thin, prying object into any cracks around its edges.
Next, you must unscrew the screen’s screws. To do this, use a magnetic Philips head screwdriver (size 0 or 00).
Once the screws have been taken out, you can tilt the screen slightly upward or downward so that its bezel pops off from its base. Depending on which model, you may need to unscrew multiple bezel screws before it completely slides away from its frame.
Once the bezel has been fully removed, you must set your new screen into its side trim frame pieces. To do this, unscrew and remove two screws holding these pieces to your back screen case.
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Once the video cable has been reconnected to its connector on the back of your screen, you can lay it flat against a keyboard for typing.
Once your screen is connected again, you can begin testing it to see how well it functions. If everything looks correct, you should be able to use your laptop again without any further issue; otherwise, some troubleshooting may be necessary.
The Time It Takes to Test the Screen
Testing your laptop screen for various reasons is often necessary. Most often, this occurs if there are visible defects such as distorted images or pixelization on the display. If this occurs, then it could indicate a larger issue with the hardware itself – usually indicative of damage or defect within it.
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There is also the chance your screen has an issue with its backlight. This could be caused by either a broken LCD panel or LED display. Repairing this problem shouldn’t take more than a few minutes and should take only minimal effort.
Before testing your screen, ensure it is properly connected to the computer by connecting either a VGA cable or HDMI cord to its video port. After connecting, turn on the monitor and compare it with what appears on an external monitor; if there are signs of boot up on this external display, then you know for certain the issue lies with the screen rather than with your laptop.
If you’re uncertain about the screen, a professional can test it for you. This is typically faster than doing it yourself and more likely to provide an accurate diagnosis than trying to do this yourself.
When trying to decide whether your screen needs repair or replacement, getting an accurate assessment of its condition is key. A professional should be able to quickly and accurately diagnose the issue and give you a realistic time estimate for replacement.
Another way to test the screen is by connecting it to an external monitor, or TV. You can do this with either a VGA or HDMI cable connected directly from the laptop input. If you can see boot up happening on the television screen, then it can be determined that your monitor isn’t at fault and only requires repair or replacement.
The Time It Takes to Reinstall the Screen
A broken laptop screen may indicate that your computer is having issues. On the other hand, it could simply have become damaged due to an accident or improper handling.
Repairing your laptop screen doesn’t need to be a complicated process and can easily be done by anyone with some basic DIY skills. The key is to do an excellent job and ensure the replacement screen matches exactly your original model.
Start by taking out the screws that secure your LCD to the back screen case. This typically involves setting the screen down on a keyboard and moving it around until you find the right position for exposing the screws.
Once the screws are exposed, use a screwdriver to loosen them. Some screws may be straightforward; others may need more force for removal.
Once the screen is free from its case, it should lie flat on your keyboard. To remove it from the case, unscrew the screws holding it to the back and take out any trim pieces attached on either left and right sides. Once these are freed up, flip over your laptop for access!
The next step is to disconnect the video cable and inverter that run along the back of the screen. These can be difficult to take out, but it’s essential that you do so carefully so as not to damage the laptop’s LCD panel.
Once you’ve taken out the video connector and inverter, peel away any tape securing them to the back of your screen. Gently pull away the cables from their sockets in order to unplug them.
If the cable for your screen is stuck on the back, it could be a sign that you haven’t taken it out correctly. Some models have locking mechanisms so be sure to flip them open first before taking out the video cable.
Once the inverter and video cable have been removed, it’s time to install your new laptop screen. Depending on the model of your machine, this could take anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour depending on how complicated it is.
