You replaced the broken LCD screen in your laptop with a new screen but it’s not working. Does this sound like your problem? Let’s find out what could be wrong and how you can fix it.
First of all, I assume that your new LCD screen is compatible with the old one. Different screens require different video cables. Make sure you new screen is compatible with your laptop.
OK, let’s say you accidentally damaged the LCD screen in your laptop. A part of the screen still works fine but you cannot use it like that so you decided to replace the screen yourself. You can find LCD replacement instructions in service manuals or this DIY site.
You did some research and purchased a compatible screen, installed it into the laptop, turned it on and… The new screen is not working!!! What could be wrong?
Before you start to panic, check all cable connections again. Check connection between the video cable, LCD screen and inverter board. Reconnect cables just in case.
Take a closer look at the connection between the video cable and LCD screen. It’s possible you accidentally pulled the video cable from the connector during the screen installation.
The video cable has to be seated properly, all the way down.
Also, on some older LCD screens there are very thin pins inside the connector. Take a look inside the connector, make sure there are no damaged (bent) pins.
You can straighten bent pins with a very small screwdriver but this procedure requires a lot of patience and concentration.
Fortunately, most newer LCDs have a different type of connector, without fragile pins inside.
OK, you have reseated all connectors and cannot see anything wrong but the new screen still is not working. What’s next?
Remove the new screen and connect the old one. If the old one works properly (except the damaged area) but the new one is dead, apparently the new screen is defective and has to be replaced. Hopefully it has warranty.
Here’s another scenario. The new screen kinda works. You can see a very faint image but there is no backlight.
If that’s the case, disconnect the new screen from the inverter board and plug in the old screen instead, as it shown on the picture below. If the backlight inside the old screen lights up, apparently the new screen has defective backlight lamp and has to be replaced.
Related post: Laptop has bad video on the LCD screen. What is wrong?
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November 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
kukazu,
Are you sure that the laptop with broken screen works fine? Can you get light on the broken screen and the laptop is turned on?
November 17th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hi. I have 2 same machines and one of them had broken screen. I took a screen from the working one with all cables conencted etc. and ther eis no backlight there. I can see very dark icons. When the screen comes back to it’s parent it works ok. Is tehre anything else apart of cables,inverter, incompatible screen, that can cause such a behaviour?
November 13th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Keith,
What was wrong with the old screen?
November 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Well I got the new cable today. Same results. Backlight is A OK. No video on the screen. Screen senses cable because when the cable is removed the screen turns pure white.
Video is fine through the VGA and HDMI outputs.
The replacement screen is going back. I hope they will honor it. It was purchased from eTech.com
November 11th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Yes. I reseated the cable. I ordered a new cable and will try that as well. Additionally I heard that some people may have issues with a little switch that detects when the laptop is closed. I will look for that as well if I can find it. They say it’s near the hinges.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Keith,
Have you tried reconnecting the video cable on the motherobard (or video card)? Maybe you accidentally pulled the cable from the connector while taking apart the display panel?
November 10th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I replaced an LCD on a Dell Inspiron 1525. I found it online for $120 shipped. It’s a Samsung LCD panel, 1280×800 WXGA 15.4″ screen. It fits into the Dell fine, but there was no bracket for the inverter board. I was able to use plyers and destroy the old screen (was already broke) to get the inverter bracket off that, then use a hammer to straighten it out. I got everything in, and I even had video for a few minutes until I powered it down and shut it off. Now it’s back together and I get no video. The backlight comes on, and you can see it flash when I use FN+F8 to cycle internal / external video. External monitors work fine also. I opened it back up (which is a pain I might add…) and reseated the cables. Still the only thing that comes on is the backlight. I just ordered a new LCD signal cable. Do you think that could be the problem? The LCD signal cable was attached with industrial strength tape on the old panel’s connector. I wonder if prying this tape up also damaged the signal cable.
The monitors aren’t exactly the same, but they state they are for Dell Inspiron 1525’s. Same resolution, same size same signal connector, same mounting holes same brand (Samsung). The only thing different is the placement of a 1cm connector (which is also on the broken LCD) which is not used at all. Also the part number differs (LTN154X3-LOD vs. LTN154AT10) but the thing is I saw the Vista boot screen when I powered it up (while still disassembled).
November 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hamid,
It’s possible. Can you get at least the backlight?
November 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Hi,
Im trying to replace LCD on asus laptop but there is no display. I have noticed that a pin from ribbon connector is not there so do you think that could be the issue?