Screen inverter replacement. Fixing laptop backlight problem.
Do you have a problem with the backlight on your laptop? If yes, you are not alone, that’s one of the most common laptop problems. In most cases the screen inverter is the culprit. Here are some LCD screen backlight failure symptoms that could be related to a bad inverter board:
- Laptop boots as usual but after some time the screen blacks out. You still can see an image on the screen but it’s very dim. You might even use a flashlight to see it better. Sometimes the backlight comes back for a while but then goes off again. In some cases you can turn the backlight on if you tap rapidly on the lid close switch.
- The screen always stay black and the backlight never comes on but you still can make out an image on the LCD. It’s dark, but the image is still there.
-In some cases you might hear a buzzing noise coming from the area where the inverter board is located, it’s on the bottom part of the display assembly.
NOTE: if you cannot see an image on the screen, most likely you have a different problem and there is nothing wrong with the screen inverter.
Other related articles:
Laptop has bad video on the LCD screen. What is wrong?
Notebook display assembly diagram. How image appears on the screen.
How to troubleshoot and fix laptop video problems
How to replace laptop backlight lamp (CCFL)
Here’s an example of replacing the FL inverter board on an IBM ThinkPad T41 notebook. This guide will work fine for any other IBM notebook. Replacing screen inverter on other notebooks like Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc… will not be much different.
First of all, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
In order to access the inverter board you’ll have to remove the LCD screen bezel. On most laptops screws are hidden behind screw seals. In this case we have 5 screw seals on the front. Carefully remove the seals with a sharp object and glue them on the LCD bezel, in this case you will not lose them. Remove all screws and mark them somehow so you are not confused when you assemble the notebook back.
Some laptops also have screws on the side of the display. This notebook has 3 screws on each side. Remove screws seals and then remove screws.
Start removing the LCD bezel with all fingers. Carefully wiggle the bezel to release plastic latches. Never use any sharp object during disassemble because you can accidentally damage the screen.
If latches are very tight you can use a guitar pick to unlock them. Insert the guitar pick between the LCD bezel and cover and carefully move it alone the side.
This notebook allows you to replace the inverter board without removing the LCD bezel completely. Lift up the bottom part of the bezel and remove one screw securing the inverter board to the LCD cover. This location is very common for the screen inverter. On most laptops you’ll find it under the display bezel below the screen.
Carefully lift up the FL inverter and rotate it a little bit. Unplug cables on both sides. The left side of the inverter board connects to the video cable, the right side to the backlight bulb (CCFL tube) inside the LCD screen. Remove the inverter and replace it with a new one.
To find a new inverter board (and any other spare part too) for any IBM notebook you should use the FRU number from the part.
Entry Filed under: Replacing Screen Inverter
359 Responses to “Screen inverter replacement. Fixing laptop backlight problem.”
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Pages: [36] 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 … 1 » Show All
November 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi,
I had a similar backlight problem. The old inverter usually worked for about five minutes. When I changed the inverter with a new one, the backlight turned off immediately during the boot. Also, when I press the lid close switch, the backlight turns on for a second and then turns off again.
What do you think?
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME,
Jack
November 16th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I have a laptop Compaq Presario 2200. The bottom 1/3 of tjhe monitor/screen is blank. My Son did something to resize the image to fit the remaining 2/3 of the screen. But I want the computer fixed. Any idea what is broken? Do I need a new screen or is this something else.
About how much will it cost to fix? Where can I get it fixed?
We live in Green Bay, WI.
Thank you,
Charles A Tomes
charlestomes@aol.com
November 15th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
[…] Well, in fear that the screen would eventually die on me, I diagnost the problem and found that the inverter in my screen was bad and needed to be replaced, so I bought a new […]
November 11th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Thank you so much. I was having display problems with my Thinkpad R51 and I really thought it was the inverter. The problem was actually in the lid close switch. I took a pin and toggled the mechanism in the hole and the screen was back to normal. Maybe you can indicate on a diagram where this port is located. Thank you so much. You saved me money and time I didnt have to spare.
November 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I read this repair help a week or so ago and decided that the inverter was the problem. I ordered a replacement inverter and installed it. The monitor worked !! … but only for a few days. then it went out again. Why would the screen just go out like that again?
November 6th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
which one is broken, if the half screen is black.
inverter or CCFL? thanks
November 5th, 2008 at 10:25 am
does hp notebooks have a backlight inverter?
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hi, I have HP OMNIBOOK 4150 its casing/body is damadge from the hatches and it creates very troubble to open and close the notebook, I always use a cussion behind the screen for stay.
Please suggest the solution for this or can i change the casing / body of this notebook and if yes then where from i can get.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My dell inspiron 2200 keyboard is acting strangly. When I type letters like h, y, t, enter key, and the space bar key I get something other that what I selected. My keys are typing words that I have not choosed. Do I need to replace my keyboard, or what can I do?