How To Fix A Computer Monitor

By: Dustin Lamb

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Need to know how to fix a computer monitor? Fixing a computer monitor is not a task for just anyone. This is quite a difficult repair job. Before you decide to continue, you should consider whether or not you can afford to further damage the hardware. Even experienced technicians can make mistakes. Desktop monitors would be more difficult to repair than laptop monitors. In most cases, you should have a repair technician handle desktop monitor repair. However, if you need to fix a laptop monitor, this would be a more reasonable project. Laptop monitors can generally be replaced cheaply, because of their relatively small size. Follow these steps to fix a laptop computer monitor.

To fix a computer monitor, you will need:

Screwdrivers
A replacement monitor

Purchase a replacement laptop monitor. You can often find low cost replacements online. Make sure that the replacement monitor is designed to work with your specific laptop model before buying it.
Download and print the repair documentation for your laptop's monitor. These can usually be found on the manufacturer's website by searching for your laptop model number under a repair section.
Turn off the laptop after receiving the replacement monitor. Remove the battery from the computer and the power cable.
Using the documentation for your specific laptop, begin removing the old monitor. In most cases, there will be a section of the laptop under the monitor to remove. The material covering the hinges may be removable too. Be very careful when removing covers from the laptop to avoid snapping or cracking them.
Remove the old monitor by unscrewing it from the laptop. Do not pull it away from the computer before removing the power and data cable.
Locate the cable leading from the motherboard to the monitor. Carefully remove these cables from the connector.
Begin by inserting the new monitor's cable into the laptop motherboard's port where it was plugged in before to the old monitor. Screw on the new monitor to the area near the hinges. Replace any laptop coverings that were removed. These often snap back on.
Replace the laptop battery after completing the installation. Replace the power cable.
Power on the laptop and test the new monitor. If it does not work, make sure the cable is fully connected to the computer.