How To Replace a Defective Laptop Screen

What’s up, guys? Today, we are diving into the world of laptop repair. The challenge at hand? Replacing a laptop screen that’s been causing us some trouble – showing lines and turning white over time. The best part? You don’t need to be a computer whiz to tackle this one; it’s one of the simpler fixes you can do yourself so we are going to walk you through step by step on how to swap out the screen. Not only will you save some cash, but you will also gain some valuable knowledge, so you can also rescue friends and family from similar laptop woes. So, read on and we’ll guide you through the process.

Meet our subject: the trusty Dell laptop. This is a Dell Latitude E7470 to be exact.

You can already spot those pesky lines, and the first order of business;

• To power it down and, if applicable, remove the battery. In my case, there is no battery to remove, so I skipped this step. Now, some models might have screws or covers you need to handle first, like this Dell laptop, there’s this hinge cover with a screw that needs to be removed. Unscrewing it will give us access to initiate the screen removal process. Remember, some laptops might not require this step; you can simply snap off the screen covering.

• Second, with the cover off, it’s time to carefully start the extraction process. We will be removing the bezel first. Gently pull from the inside to avoid damaging any locks. There might be a little resistance, but go easy; no need to yank it out forcefully.There might also be a tape that is holding it in place just like this Dell laptop. Now, when it’s removed, there might be some screws holding the LCD screen in place. They’re the gatekeepers to the screen. Remove them (mine had four), and we’re almost there. Lift the screen slightly – remember, no yanking! – and spot the connector that’s holding it in place then gently detach it and remove the screen. Voila!

• Now, what’s next? Well, you have a couple of options. You can visit a local computer store for a replacement, or you can flex those internet skills and search for a compatible replacement online. You can search for the model number and see if there is a match, if you are unsure, just shoot the seller a message for confirmation. And if both of those options aren’t on the table, you can do as we did: raid your stash of old laptop parts, and again check if they are compatible. What we did, was a side-by-side comparison to ensure compatibility considering the pins and other connections.

• Once you’re confident in your replacement, it’s plug-and-play time. Slide the connector back in – gently, remember? If there’s a lock, engage it. A bit of tape secures everything, and you can now do a test run. Power it up, cross your fingers that it’ll work, although it should. In this laptop that we worked on, those lines are now history. Now, let’s not rush; gently screw everything back in place, making sure nothing falls onto the screen.

The cover goes on, and with some finesse, we’re locked and loaded. And there you have it – a triumphant laptop repair mission complete. Give yourself a pat on the back; you’ve just saved the day!

Here’s a full video of the replacement process. If this video was a lifesaver for you, drop a like and consider subscribing for more tech tips and tutorials. Until next time, stay tech-savvy!