Do you have a problem with the backlight on your laptop? If yes, you are not alone, that’s one of the most common laptop problems. In most cases the screen inverter is the culprit. Here are some LCD screen backlight failure symptoms that could be related to a bad inverter board:
- Laptop boots as usual but after some time the screen blacks out. You still can see an image on the screen but it’s very dim. You might even use a flashlight to see it better. Sometimes the backlight comes back for a while but then goes off again. In some cases you can turn the backlight on if you tap rapidly on the lid close switch.
- The screen always stay black and the backlight never comes on but you still can make out an image on the LCD. It’s dark, but the image is still there.
-In some cases you might hear a buzzing noise coming from the area where the inverter board is located, it’s on the bottom part of the display assembly.
NOTE: if you cannot see an image on the screen (not even very dim image), most likely you have a different problem and there is nothing wrong with the screen inverter.
Other related articles:
Laptop has bad video on the LCD screen. What is wrong?
Notebook display assembly diagram. How image appears on the screen.
How to troubleshoot and fix laptop video problems
How to replace laptop backlight lamp (CCFL)
Here’s an example of replacing the FL inverter board on an IBM ThinkPad T41 notebook. This guide will work fine for any other IBM notebook. Replacing screen inverter on other notebooks like Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc… will not be much different.
First of all, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
In order to access the inverter board you’ll have to remove the LCD screen bezel. On most laptops screws are hidden behind screw seals. In this case we have 5 screw seals on the front. Carefully remove the seals with a sharp object and glue them on the LCD bezel, in this case you will not lose them. Remove all screws and mark them somehow so you are not confused when you assemble the notebook back.
Some laptops also have screws on the side of the display. This notebook has 3 screws on each side. Remove screws seals and then remove screws.
Start removing the LCD bezel with all fingers. Carefully wiggle the bezel to release plastic latches. Never use any sharp object during disassemble because you can accidentally damage the screen.
If latches are very tight you can use a guitar pick to unlock them. Insert the guitar pick between the LCD bezel and cover and carefully move it alone the side.
This notebook allows you to replace the inverter board without removing the LCD bezel completely. Lift up the bottom part of the bezel and remove one screw securing the inverter board to the LCD cover. This location is very common for the screen inverter. On most laptops you’ll find it under the display bezel below the screen.
Carefully lift up the FL inverter and rotate it a little bit. Unplug cables on both sides. The left side of the inverter board connects to the video cable, the right side to the backlight bulb (CCFL tube) inside the LCD screen. Remove the inverter and replace it with a new one.
To find a new inverter board (and any other spare part too) for any IBM notebook you should use the FRU number from the part.
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February 26th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
All symptoms point to my inverter being bad. I called Dell and all they will sell me is the whole screen with the board. Is there anywere else I can go to find this part?
Thanks, Dave
February 25th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Jorge Trevino,
It sounds like a bad inverter but I’m not sure 100%. I don’t like this part
I would try replacing the inverter board first, it shouldn’t be very expensive. If it will not help, probably there is something wrong with the backlight lamp located inside the screen.
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:13 am
Hey – I had the same problem with the inverter – my laptop screen is now black but I can still see some images. Instead of repairing I got an alternativ monitor-but after a month the new monitor goes black after 20 min or so whenever I use it. Then if I let it stay for a while it works again for 20 min. Can it be the laptop that caused the monitor to have this problem, or the LCD is gone independent from that?
Thanks.
February 21st, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I have DELL INSPIRON 6000 and The screen always stay black and the backlight sometimes comes on when you plug it with the a/c adapter but came off after 10 seconds and the right part is darker than the left one you still can make out an image on the LCD. It’s dark, but the image is still there and sound works perfectly. i need an advise what cause that, thanks
February 20th, 2007 at 6:08 am
this sounds exactly like the problems I was having… it worked for me
go to the link for Laptop has bad LCD display or copy and paste this one (same link)
http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....cd-screen/
and somewhere around post 140 is what I said, and then 145 I think was my reply after an attempted fix. I have an HP zv6010us model laptop.
February 19th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Shirley Pollak,
I think the above photo instructions will apply to most IBM ThinkPad notebooks. Screws location might be different but general disassembly steps will be the same.
You can download a hardware maintenance manual for IBM ThinkPad R31 and find instructions for replacing the inverter board on the page 136 (page 130 in HMM).
February 19th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
gnu,
I don’t know for sure what is causing problem, never seen it before. I don’t think it’s an inverter issue, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. I think the problem might be related to the LCD itself.
Use the screen until it works, there is nothing you can do.
February 17th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Laptop Repair Guy,
My Toshiba M45 laptop had the “blacking out” LCD problem. I thought I would be in for a huge $$$ bill since my 1 year warranty just expired, but after checking out your website I removed the inverter, cleaned the flex cable conductors, put it back together and it has worked for about 7 months straight.
On behalf of everyone that visits your website and repairs problems caused by design or human error, thank you for creating this fantastic website. Your photos and instructions for repairing a lot of laptop problems are clear and helpful. Unlike a lot of technicians, you know what you’re doing and you present it in an honest, easy-to-follow way.
Now, if IBM, Toshiba, Dell and Acer would just read your website from time to time…
Keith
Raleigh, NC
February 13th, 2007 at 3:37 am
This is my problem:
- The screen always stay black and the backlight never comes on but you still can make out an image on the LCD. It’s dark, but the image is still there and sound works perfectly.
Will the above photo instructions also apply to the R31 ThinkPad?
Thank you.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I have a T41 (XGA screen) with an weird issue: when starting Windows GUI or getting back from sleep/suspend, a LCD light is coming from center of screen and it is slowly extending to margins, then image is displayed. The same on turn off, the LCD looks like starting to slowly turn off pixels from margins to center.
Otherwise it is working fine, but I’m worried about this issue. Is this an inverter issue ? Or is this a sign that LCD will be dead soon? Thank you!