A broken or damaged laptop screen can be very frustrating. However, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try to diagnose and possibly repair the issue yourself before taking it to a professional repair shop.
Assess the Damage
The first thing I do when faced with a cracked or broken laptop screen is thoroughly examine the damage.
- Is the screen completely shattered or just cracked?
- Are there visible points of impact or pressure cracks?
- Is the screen black, gray, distorted, or showing weird colors?
- Do you see any flickering, artifacts, or dead pixels?
Thoroughly inspecting the physical damage helps me determine if it’s an LCD panel, cable, or graphics issue. The type and location of cracks/damage provide clues on where to start troubleshooting.
Check Display Settings and Connections
Before digging into hardware repairs, it’s worth checking for software issues.
- I reboot the laptop and toggle display settings like brightness.
- I also reconnect all display cables/wires and ensure they’re fully seated.
- If it’s a detachable display, I remove and reattach it.
- For external monitors, I use different cables and ports to rule out a faulty connection.
Loose cables are a common culprit with display issues, so reseating connections might fix flickering or lost signal.
Run Diagnostics and Check Video Drivers
At this point, I’ll run hardware diagnostics provided by the laptop manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc). Diagnostics help identify issues with the LCD panel, cables, and graphics card.
I also update the laptop’s video/graphics drivers. An outdated or buggy driver can mimic a broken screen.
Attempt an External Display
Next, I connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV using an HDMI or VGA cable.
- If the external display works properly, the issue is isolated to the laptop’s LCD screen or cables.
- If the external display also exhibits problems, it’s likely a graphics card failure.
This is a quick way to pinpoint if the problem is the screen itself or a more serious graphics issue.
Check the Backlight on the Screen
If the laptop screen is black but externally displays, I inspect the backlight on the LCD panel.
- I shine a flashlight at the screen and look for faint images.
- I try adjusting brightness/contrast settings.
- If I see visuals, it indicates a failed backlight or loose connection.
Backlight issues can often be fixed by reseating the display cable on the motherboard side.
Consider Replacing Display Components
If I’ve isolated the issue to the LCD panel or connections, replacement may be necessary.
- For a cracked LCD panel, the entire display assembly often needs replacement.
- If the issue is a damaged cable, just that ribbon wire can be swapped.
I always search for replacement parts specific to the laptop’s make and model. Reputable online retailers sell display components for many models.
When to Seek Repair Shop Help
Here are instances when I take a laptop with a broken screen to a professional repair shop:
- Diagnostics point to a graphics card failure.
- The display issue is intermittent or difficult to isolate.
- The repair involves significant disassembly of the laptop.
- Replacement parts are unavailable or scarce.
Repair technicians have specialized tools and skills for laptop repair. They can source rare parts and conduct repairs I’m uncomfortable attempting on expensive laptops.
Preventing Future Screen Damage
To help avoid screen damage in the future:
- I handle the laptop gently and avoid tossing it in a bag.
- I keep it away from moisture and extreme temps.
- I use a padded case or sleeve when traveling.
- I avoid putting pressure on the lid when closed.
- I keep kids and pets away from the laptop.
With care and common sense, I can prevent cracked screens and extend the laptop’s life. Following structured troubleshooting steps also helps minimize costs if damage does occur.
