LCD Monitor Repair Tips

The most common causes for an LCD monitor to become nonfunctional are a dead bulb or a dead power supply, which often fries the bulb as well. These two malfunctions land thousands of LCD monitors in the trash can every day, but they are not terribly difficult to fix on your own for a whole lot less than the cost of a new monitor. You can learn how to diagnose and correct these problems on your own without spending more than $20. 

1.   Fixing Faulty Pixels

o    When there is a tiny dot on your screen that is always lit or always black, you probably have a dead, stuck or faulty pixel. There are a few methods for repairing this. First, try running pixel fixing software like JScreenFix. If this doesn't work, you can try the pressure, tapping and heat methods. The pressure method involves applying direct pressure to the stuck pixel with a pointed object through a wash cloth or pad (to prevent damage to the screen). While applying the pressure, turn the monitor on.

The tapping method involves using a rounded tip, like a sharpie cap, to gently tap a pixel back into place. This is done by displaying a black image so that you can see the faulty pixel well and tapping on the pixel just hard enough to create the white pressure rings around it several times until the pixel is corrected.

The heat method s best for laptops and is used to treat screens wit large areas of discoloration. Simple turn the screen on, make sure the computer is set not to go into standby and place it in a small enclosed space like a desk drawer. Ideally, the heat generated from the screen being enclosed will cause the pixels to correct themselves. However, this method also exposes the equipment to the possibility of heat damage.

2.   Replacing Backlight Bulbs

o    If the problem with your monitor is that the screen seems to be flickering or dimming, chances are that the bulb is dying. Most LCD monitors use a cold cathode bulb powered by a small 12-volt inverter. Replacement bulbs with inverters can be acquired for less than $10, and if you want to save a few extra bucks, you can make this repair without replacing the inverter.

To complete the repair, you will need wire cutters, a screwdriver, a dremel tool, pliers, and a soldering iron and solder. The first step is to unplug the monitor and remove the back paneling and metal shielding. This will reveal the circuitry, inverter and bulb to you. The cold cathode will be encased in plastic shielding. Remove the entire casing and go somewhere with good ventilation as there is mercury vapor in the casing. Use a dremel tool to remove the plastic around the casing where the LEDs are coming out in order to free the bulb. Remove the dead bulb from the casing.

Next, remove the reflector tray from the monitor. Insert the new bulb into the casing and mount it back in its original place in the monitor and replace the reflector. Reconnect the bulb and test it before reassembling the monitor.