Troubleshooting a Dell Laptop Monitor
The Dell laptop monitor can suffer from a number of common problems that afflict similar displays. The laptop's monitor may suffer from inaccurate brightness settings, a disconnected inverter cable with subsequent backlight failure or video issues caused by a loose LCD cable. You can troubleshoot for and fix all these problems using nothing more than a Phillips screwdriver and either an X-Acto knife or flathead screwdriver. You do not need prior computer troubleshooting expertise.
Instructions
-
Brightness Troubleshooting
-
1
Ensure your computer is plugged into a power source and that your battery is charged. If your computer is not receiving power, your monitor will fail to operate and brightness setting adjustments will not be possible.
-
2
Check your brightness settings. If the monitor's brightness is turned all the way down to its lowest point, it will actually appear to be turned off because the monitor is so dark.
-
-
3
Adjust the brightness via the brightness keys on the top of the laptop's keyboard if necessary. These keys will have what appear to be small "suns" or bulbs with small lines radiating outward that represent rays of light. The key design can vary slightly depending on the exact Dell laptop model you use.
Power Safety Precautions
-
4
Turn off the Dell laptop. Disconnect it from its power cable. Ensure it is not plugged into a power source.
-
5
Flip the Dell laptop over and remove the battery as a safety precaution. The battery release mechanism can be found under the outline of the battery at the top of the device.
-
6
Slide this mechanism to release the battery.
More Monitor Troubleshooting
-
7
Turn the laptop back over. Look along the perimeter piece that surrounds the monitor. This is the bezel. Along this bezel, a number of plastic caps conceal screws. Use an X-Acto knife to pry under and pop off the plastic caps. You may also be able to accomplish this using a simple alternative such as the tip of a flathead screwdriver.
-
8
Remove the screws using a Phillips head screwdriver. Pry off and remove the loose bezel.
-
9
Check the inverter cable. This black cable is located at the bottom center of the Dell's exposed display and lies atop the green inverter board. It should connect to a socket on this board, but if it has become disconnected it will cause your monitor's backlight to fail. Pull up on one side of the inverter cable socket and slide the inverter cable back in. Press down to lock the socket into place again.
-
10
Remove the metal brackets on either side of the monitor by removing the screws in each bracket using your Phillips head screwdriver. These screws will not be covered by plastic caps.
-
11
Separate the laptop's rear casing from its display by gently pulling the screen away from the loose casing. This will reveal the LCD cable, which runs from the back of the display down into the laptop. If this cable is loose from the piece of adhesive at the laptop's base, slide it back under the adhesive and ensure the adhesive is fixed back in place. This will restore the video capability of your monitor.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit laptop image by Jorge Figueiredo from Fotolia.com
