Fixing a cracked laptop screen can be tricky, and experts usually recommend replacing the damaged screen to avoid any inconvenience. However, if the small crack on laptop screen, there are a few quick fixes you can try before opting for a replacement. For example, applying clear nail polish or adding a screen protector can prevent the crack from spreading further.
Read more: 6 Surprising Reasons Why You Should Never Use Your Laptop on Your Lap
Alternatively, you can try using a windshield repair kit, which uses resin to fill in the crack, minimizing its appearance. But remember, these fixes may only work for minor cracks. If the damage is severe, it’s best to consult a professional technician.
What Causes a Broken Laptop Screen?
The most common cause of a broken laptop screen is physical damage, usually from dropping the laptop or something falling onto it. Other possible causes include:
- Screen Burn: This happens when a static image stays on the screen for too long, causing a “ghost” image to appear even after the screen changes.
- Stuck Pixels: Sometimes, pixels can get stuck in one color, making it look like a small crack on laptop screen.
- Outdated Drivers: If your laptop’s video drivers are outdated or corrupt, it can cause display issues that mimic physical damage.
- Loose Connections: The internal connections between the laptop’s screen and motherboard could be loose, causing flickering or black spots.
- Backlight Problems: A malfunctioning backlight can create dark areas on the screen that can be mistaken for cracks.
Before deciding whether to repair or replace your laptop screen, assess the damage. Compare the cost of a repair with the price of a new laptop to make an informed decision.
8 Tips to Fix a Cracked Laptop Screen Without Replacing It
If you’re dealing with a small crack on laptop screen, here are some DIY fixes to try before you rush to replace it.
1. Restart Your Laptop
Sometimes, glitches in the display can make a small crack on laptop screen seem worse than it is. Restarting your laptop can clear any temporary issues and may improve the appearance of the screen.
2. Clean Dust and Debris
Unfortunately, dust or debris lodged in the crack may make it look worse than it actually is. If you are cleaning the whole screen than you should use another microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of the screen and particularly the area with the crack. What it won’t do is mend the crack but it provides assistance in observing the crack more effectively and possibly avoiding its expansion.
3. Link to an External Standard
When the crack on the screen is not affecting the functioning of the laptop, but the laptop is working properly, then plug it onto an external VGA monitor. This is a good temporal relief that allows you to keep on using your laptop even with a small crack on laptop screen.
4. Fix Dead Pixels
The dead pixels are those extremely small point that fail to glow and are probably a result of a small crack on laptop screen. In addition, there are some websites and applications that can be used to try to correct dead pixels by bringing up pictures which rapidly change colors, which can help ‘restart’ the pixel. It is often not effective, but can be tried before going for other forms of treatment, including surgery.
5. Update Video Card Drivers
Outdated or corrupted video card drivers can sometimes cause screen issues, including making small cracks appear worse. Check your laptop manufacturer’s website or the device manager to see if there are any updates for your video card drivers. Updating them may improve your screen’s performance.
6. Fix Screen Burn-In
There is screen burn-in when the display remains static for a very long time such that even when the image transitions a mark is left behind. If the crack is coupled with burn-in, you may eliminate or minimize these “ghost” images with help of screen savers or, with better conditions, with the help of special programs. This won’t, of course, repair the crack itself, but it may help enhance the general picture quality.
7. Try Screen and Backlight connections
At times a tiny small crack on laptop screen can lead to a lose connection within the laptop. If you are ready to do this, gently flip open the laptop and look for cables linking the screen with the motherboard. In the case the cables are loose then the screen might work, provided that the cables are reconnected. However, this is delicate work and most especially if you are not sure, perhaps it is wise to consult a professional.
8. Seek Professional Assistance
However, simple repair jobs may provide only a short-term relief, thus, most times you will require the assistance of a professional. If it is too large or you are unable to solve the problem, then contact a technician who will and evaluate the extent of the crack and who will provide a lasting fix. At this stage they will suggest that you take your laptop’s screen and they will guarantee that you get expert advice on whether you should repair your notebook.
Conclusion
Although there are ways to somehow repair a small crack on laptop screen without having it replaced, they are mostly only solutions for the short term. Even something like painting our nails or installing protection on the screen or even updating our drivers can give us more use from the laptop but they don’t solve the problem completely.
For such damages, it is recommended to look for the assistance of a professional. This is why in case you have a cracked laptop screen, you should repair it as soon as you possibly can because the problem will only escalate in the future.
