How to Fix a Backlight

Fix your laptop's backlight by replacing your LCD screen's inverter.

Your laptop's LCD monitor is lit by a small, tube-like bulb called a backlight that's built into the screen. If the backlight is not working properly, your monitor may appear extremely dim, completely black or you may experience a completely white screen. This happens when your laptop's inverter board stops working. The inverter board is a thin, circuit board attached to the backlight that transfers power from the motherboard to the backlight. Replacing the inverter requires partially dismantling your laptop.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Adhesive tape (optional)
• Antistatic strap

Instructions

1. Shut down your laptop, and unplug the main power cord. Close the display panel, and place the laptop face down. Remove the battery pack from its compartment. Most laptop batteries are secured in place by one or two retention levers.

2. Place the laptop face up, and pull open the display panel as far as possible. Use a small, flat-head screwdriver to remove the rubber screw covers from the display panel's front, plastic cover. Remove the Phillips-head screws revealed by the screw covers.

3. Grasp the display panel's front, plastic cover and lift it off of the LCD screen's surface. Locate the inverter board, usually situated inside the bottom edge of the display panel just below the LCD.

4. Disconnect the backlight power cables from each side of the inverter. Remove any retaining screws, or tape securing the inverter to the laptop. Remove the inverter from the display panel.

5. Place the new inverter inside the bottom edge of the display panel. Secure the inverter to the laptop with some adhesive tape, or the fastening screws that came with the replacement inverter.

6. Replace the display panel's front cover, its retaining screws and rubber screw covers. Replace the battery, and reconnect the laptop's power cable.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear an antistatic wrist strap to avoid any electrical damage to the LCD screen.

References

• Laptop Repair 101: Screen Inverter Repair
• ScreenTek Inc: Laptop LCD Removal Instructions