Laptop screen replacement can be a tricky thing to master and repair companies take total advantage of this fact by charging out of the world prices to do it. The following post has also be made into a handy PDF for you to print and have next to you when you replace your screen.PDF Download> Screen Replacement Instructions
Remember, take your time and place all the screws from each step in their own pile.
Screen Replacement Instructions
Generally, replacing your notebook display is rather simple. These steps cover the process of removing the screen; once removed, follow the same steps in reverse to install your brand-new display.
Preparation: Before doing any type of repair on your notebook, YOU MUST turn the laptop off, unplug its power source and remove the battery. If you don’t you might cause more damage to your laptop than has already occurred.
You will also need these tools:
- 1 small screw driver (Phillips head)
- 1 sharp object (like a razor)
- Step 1: Bezel Screws & Covers
Most notebooks have plastic or rubber screw covers. Remove the screw covers with a sharp object. Remove the screws beneath the screw covers.
- Step 2: Remove Plastic Bezel
Use your fingers to get between the plastic bezel and the display. Start with one corner or side, and gently work around the perimeter of the display. If at any point the bezel won’t budge, inspect carefully for hidden screws.
- Diagram 1: What It Looks Like
This is what your notebook looks like with the bezel removed. The display, inverter and possibly more screws are now visible.
- Step 3: Back Bezel Screws
If you notebooks has screws securing the display to the rear shell, remove them. Then you can move on to the brackets holding the screen in place.
- (another angle)
While removing your display, be careful to keep the screws in a safe place, and to note which screws go where.
- Step 4: Framing Brackets
The next step is to remove the screws from the brackets that hold the display in place. There should be at least two on each side of the display.
- (another angle)
Once the display is free of the framing brackets, you can usually then lay it flat onto the laptop keyboard.
- Diagram 2: What It Looks Like
This image shows the notebook free from the back bezel and the brackets. Now the video cable and the inverter are both visible.
- Step 5: Video / Data Cable
Next, remove the video cable from the back of the display. Remove any tape that may be securing the video cable in place. There may also be tape toward the bottom of the display holding the video cable in place.
- Step 6: Inverter
Next, remove the inverter plug from the inverter board. The inverter plug simply pulls out from the inverter board. Some may require that you use needle-nose pliers to remove the plug. This will free the display from the notebook.
- Diagram 3: What It Looks Like
This image shows the display completely removed from the notebook. You can see the inverter and video cable are disconnected from the display. Now you can begin installing the new display. Follow these directions in reverse to properly install the new display.
Ordering Tip: Save time & money by ordering with the display-maker’s part number.
It’s actually a very good idea to remove the notebook display before you order the new one, so that you can find the part number from the notebook-display factory.
You can find displays online by searching for the notebook, and you can find them by searching for the part number added by the notebook maker (i.e. the HP or Sony part number), but to be sure you get the exact same screen, it’s best to use the part number from the display manufacturer, not the notebook manufacturer.
As you may see, in this case the screen manufacturer is Samsung, and the part number is LTN141X8-L04. By finding and ordering by this kind of part number, you can often save time, save money, and avoid receiving the wrong screen by mistake.
