How to Replace the Backlight on a Gateway
Your laptop screen's backlight lamp is a small light bulb built into the screen panel. Its main function is to light up your LCD screen so you can view images and graphics on your screen. When the backlight burns out, your Gateway's LCD screen will appear very dim or even go completely black. Replacing the backlight in your Gateway laptop requires that you completely dismantle the display panel and remove the LCD screen to access the backlight.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Antistatic wrist strap
Instructions
-
-
1
Power down your laptop. Unplug the AC power adapter, and disconnect any external devices connected to the laptop. Remove the battery pack from the compartment on the laptop's bottom side. Most laptop batteries are secured in place by one or two release levers.
-
2
Open the display panel as far as you can. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to pry the tiny rubber screw covers from the display panel's front bezel, which is the main plastic cover on the front of the screen. Remove the Phillips-head screws fastening the front bezel to the display panel. Remove the front bezel from the display panel.
-
-
3
Remove the Phillips-head screws from each side of the LCD screen. Grasp the top edge of the screen and tilt it forward until the back of the screen is visible. Unplug the large ribbon cable from the back of the screen. Lift the screen out of the display panel.
-
4
Locate the inverter board attached to the screen. The inverter board is a small circuit board with two wires coming out of it, and it is located on either the front or back side of the LCD screen depending on your Gateway laptop model.
-
5
Disconnect the two cables from each end of the inverter board. Remove any material fastening the inverter to the screen, which is usually a few Phillips-head screws or adhesive tape. Remove the inverter from the screen.
-
6
Place the screen face down on a soft, flat surface so you don't scratch or damage the screen. Peel away any foil tape from the back of the screen. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to remove the metal housing from the back of the screen, which conceals the backlight lamp.
-
7
Lift the backlight lamp out of the LCD screen. Use a soldering iron to disconnect the two wire connectors from each end of the backlight lamp. Throw the old backlight away.
-
8
Use the soldering iron and some solder to reattach the two wire connectors to each end of the new backlight lamp. Place the new backlight inside the backlight slot inside the LCD screen. Replace the metal housing and foil tape on the back side of the screen.
-
9
Reconnect the LCD ribbon cable to the back side of the screen. Place the screen back inside the display panel, and then replace the Phillips-head screws that fasten the screen to the laptop. Replace the front bezel as well as its retaining screws and rubber screw covers.
-
10
Replace the battery pack. Reconnect all of the cables and devices to the computer.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear an antistatic wrist strap as you dismantle your laptop screen. This prevents electrical damage that is often caused by static electricity in your body.
