Suddenly the laptop screen has gone very dim
I’ve had a Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop for 3yrs and suddenly the screen has gone very dim. You can still just make out things if you try to see screen in light. During startup it lights up but very quickly blacks out. I used an external monitor and it works fine. Now i found that if move screen at around 30-40 angle from key board and start it works fine after 2-3 attempts, thereafter if i raise the screen it works without any problem.
Can you please let me know what exactly the problem is? Is it some loose connection?
It’s possible that there is some kind of connection issue inside the laptop display panel, probably loose connection between the video cable and the screen inverter. You can try this. Open up the display panel and reconnect the video cable on the inverter board, it might help.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I have a Toshiba A70 Satellite Laptop and very dissappointed with performance and service response. Bought it almost two years ago and is used moderately. Right after warranty expired, the AC adapter plug in connection went, it has been repaired 3 times and still is not permanently fixed as it lasts a couple of months and has to be re soldered. Toshiba USA had a class action lawsuit about this and extended warranty to repair for all. Canada does recognize this same problem and denies its happened……… I have to pay to have repaired. NOW, my screen is dim and I’m pissed off about this piece of junk. Any help would be appreciated.
John
December 31st, 2007 at 3:54 am
If the screen looks ok when it turns on – not red/pink before the light goes off) then you probably just need a new inverter board – easy to replace (once you pull off the screen bezel it sits right below the LCD. Match`up a replacement on ebay or if you want new there are many dealers if you look on google.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Laptop Freak,
I appreciate the advice you give here. I have read a few threads related to the backlight issue as that is currently my problem, however, I am not sure if my inverter is faulty. I have a Dell inspiron 8600, and recently the backlight has gone out. I can still see the image, with no tints or discolorations, just very dim.
Previously my power module was failing, and I had a new one soldered on. That issue is fixed, but a week prior to replacing the module was when the backlight first started to go out. At first it was intermittent, occasionally on, and occassionally off.
After reassembling the case from the power module, I noticed the backlight was less fickle, but no is always off. Sometimes, pressing on the palm rest would temporarily fix it. I re-tightened some screws on the bottom, and no the only way to get back light is to continously press down on the lower left corner, where the HDD is seated. The amount of force required seems excessive.
I took apart the monitor, but the inverter seems to be fine. I even disconnected/re-connected both cables on the inverter, plus the plug on the Mobo.
Any ideas why pressing on the bottom left corner gives me back light again? Could it be a short? What should my next step be?
Thanks.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Michael,
In most cases it would be a problem with the inverter board but I’m not sure if it is in your case.
Apparently, when you press on the bottom left corner, you are flexing the motherboard. In order to troubleshoot this problem, you’ll have to remove the laptop top cover so you can see the motherboard. If the backlight comes on when you apply pressure on the motherboard, most likely there is a short somewhere. In this case you’ll have to replace the motherboard.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Hello Laptop Freak,
I have a Dell Inspiron 1505. My screen all of the sudden went super dim. I’ve bought from eBay 2 converter boards and basically 2 new whole LCD screens (thought the first one was not working,returned it and got a new replacement) but none could fix the problem. I have a feeling that neither the converter nor the screen itself is at fault here. Do you have any idea what might be the real problem?
Thank you so much for your time.
Regards,
Kenny
March 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Laptop Freak,
It took me a while but I did get around to fixing the backlight issue. After completely disassembling the laptop down to its core components, Motherboard, CPU, and GPU, I discovered that depending on the amount of force I applied to the video card, backlight would come on. I figured this was simply a case where I did not tighten the Video Card enough–I must have been too cautious about about applying pressure.
The laptop was working fine for a few weeks, but yesterday, it suddenly stopped showing video after a reboot. The backlight still comes on, but now there is now video. I once again disassembled the laptop and found out that the computer would boot in its Core Components, but without backlight. Naturally, I reassembled the laptop and tried to tighten the video card in such a way that both video and back light would come on, but I never could fix it.
Here are the new symptoms:
1) Backlight is more fickle about the pressure applied by the screws. Easily looses backlight if too loose or too tight.
2) Thin blue lines appear during the boot process adjacent and through any image, i.e. Dell Logo. The pattern that runs across the screen is basically,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3)I have yet to get an external monitor to show a picture during boot. The monitor comes out of stand-by but goes back after a few seconds during the boot process.
I suspect that the Video Card is at the root of the problem. Though I am not sure how exactly the problem is structured. Is it possible that the video card is dying? I do not have easy access to another model of the Inspiron 8600 to test known-working components.
Thanks for your last reply.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Kenny,
Check the display close switch – a small button located near to the left hinge (if you have any). Make sure the switch moves up and down without any problem. When display switch is dirty, it might get stuck inside the hole cutting off power from the inverter board and from the backlight lamp.
If you have replaced both inverter and LCD and still experiencing the same problem with video then either the video cable or the motherboard is bad. I cannot tell you witch one is failing, you’ll have to guess.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Michael,
Sounds like a problem with the video card, apparently bad video memory.
Just in case, try reseating the video card. It’s possible the video card is not making good connection with the motherboard.
March 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Not active on these forums so I don’t think I’ll reply…
Heres what you do – it worked for me.
Get a normal monitor, with a monitor cable plug it into your laptop and for my laptop (Dell Latitude D505) I managed to get it working by pressing Fn(Function) and F8(which as a function is CRT/LCD).
This will display an image on your monitor and your laptop will be blacked out
NOW FOLLOW CAREFULLY:
With the image on your monitor and nothing, not even a dim light on your laptop. Remove the monitor cable and press Fn + F8 (to change between CRT/LCD)
My laptop now works by me having to do this each time it starts. Free but worth it
Help from your 14 year old – n1k1n =D
April 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
another thing I did was fiddle around with the inverter board…(unplugged the cables from it then plugged it back in) After this I didn’t screw it back into place
July 9th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I have a question regarless a thosiba 1405-s151 , the lcd went out but u can still bearly see the image on it, what i wanna know if somebody know what r the input voltage on the back light inverter on the lcd cuz im ready 5vdc, but when i turn it off and then on it pop 19vdc then it go to 5vdc so if anybody knows something plz give me a hand!~!!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 4:39 am
my laptop nc6120 compaq get dim as I plug the power adapter and it will be ok as I unplug the power cable. would there be any idea that can help?
August 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Ashenafi,
Probably just settings in the power management software. Make sure the screen brightness is set to 100% for the AC mode.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron 8600 with a 15.4 inch monitor that has the the “almost black screen” problem. That is, there’s a faint, dim image on the laptop screen; you can see the image if you shine a flashlight at it; toggling F8 will sometimes make a visible image flash briefly on the laptop; and an external monitor works fine.)
After lots of looking around, it appears that my next step is to try replacing the inverter board.
There seem to be two inverter boards for sale for the 8600 with the 15.4 inch screen: an LG and a Hitachi. My question is, are these two boards interchangeable? Does it matter which one I buy? If it does matter, how can I figure out which one I need short of taking apart my laptop and seeing what’s in there now?
I am not very mechanically inclined and am reluctant to start opening up a working machine since there’s a chance that I won’t be able to boot up again. I realize that this is a chance I will have to take once I get the inverter board, but I’d rather not take it twice.
I tried looking at the hardware configuration under System/Hardware, hoping to see what company made the screen, but there was no manufacturer information there.
Thanks very much for your advice!
September 17th, 2008 at 5:56 am
toshiba M35X laptop screen went black. does anyone have any step by step directions or solutions how to fix problem. im seeing from other web postings that problem maybe backlight burnt out or need new inverter board. however really not getting any definet conclusions. need help thanks.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 that is almost two years old. Last week my screen went dim on me. The thing that is odd is my arrow is still bright on the screen. At start up it is bright then goes to dim right away. I’m not vary good with fixing computers but I really hope this is something that is vary easy to fix. Please help
Mike
September 18th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 that is a little over a year old, past its warranty unfortunately. The problem is my screen. When the screen is opened to around 90 degrees or past the backlight will turn off, i can still see a faint image so i know its just the back light. Occasionally if i open the screen wider then 90 degree’s the light will stay on, but when i pull it closed it will immediately go black.
However, if the screen is not opened to 90 degrees then there is no problem and it will work fine, its only when it is opened to around 90 degrees.
I have found that closing the screen and reopening it will turn the light back on. Also, the back light will not come on at all if i start the laptop using a Linux live CD. if you have any idea what the problem might be, i will be very appreciated.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I have a HP Pavillion dv6000 laptop. When i bought the laptop (which was about apirl 08) when you plugged it into the charger, the screen would brighten up. Now the screen is always a little dim. My nephew about 3 months ago dropped the laptop. Everything else works fine, just the screen has dimmed. I was also told though if u leave your laptop always plugged to the charger is can ruin the battery and possibly dim becus of me leaving it always charging. Everytime i use 2 plug it in, it was bright. You have any idea what it could be?
October 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hello hello. I’ve read through these comments trying to see if maybe i could solve my problem through here but nothing really seems to exactly whats going on with my laptop. I assume that it is my inverter board but before spending the money to replace it, i’d like to know for sure if that is the problem.
I have a Dell Inspiron 2200, its about..oh, 5 years old. I dont use it much but the last time i tried to get on it, i noticed that as soon as i turned it on the screen lit up for maybe 2 seconds and then went dim. When i try to plug in an external monitor into my laptop to see if i could work it that way..the screen didnt show anything..as if it wasn’t even connected.
Is it my inverter board thats bad, and if so, how do i replace it?
Thanks.
Dawn
October 25th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Folks, the problem is not with your hardware. It is an unsolved Vista bug. Go to your Video card’s control panel and slightly alter the brightness or contrast setting, then apply the change. Your screen should go back to normal.
The fact that the mouse is displaying properly, but the rest is dimmed proves it is not a hardware issue.
I am having the identical problem in Vista x64 (and another system (x32) with new monitors. The screen dims shortly after the Vista desktop appears and stays dimmed… almost like User Account Control dims the screen when requesting permission.
I’m still looking into the cause, so check back. Don’t waste your money on new inverters and screens!
October 29th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I have the same super dim problem with my Latitiude D820. Does anyone have a link to the Dell support page? Thanks.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
This is most likely an issue with either a bad connection to your backlights or you inverter board. If you are still under warrenty, they will fix it, if not, it will be an easy fix at a computer repair shop, or you could do it yourself. There are tutorials online for replacing an inverter board and backlights
January 10th, 2009 at 5:42 am
I agree with B tech. I don’t think its hardware either. I have an Inspiron 6000 also exhibiting the same symptoms. Mostly Dim but sometimes on. The Inspriron cam with a utility that turned the screen, HD and others off very, very fast if the laptop wasn’t plugged to power. I changed those settings and used laptop settings with no suspend on video. So its basically always on. Yes it kills the battery but I can usually plug it in.
If I close the screen (read wife does it here) then it will be dim screen on resume. Solution so far is to remove battery and restart. Works great so far. I am going to dig further as it may still be the switch for the lid.
Support for this problem with Dell is non-existant or hidden really well. You’d almost think they were afraid to admit they have crappy product!!!
Mike
January 12th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
We are having the same problem with our Dell Inspiron 8600 as Susan Cole of the September 4th comment. Dim screen, works with a monitor, etc. We are on Windows XP, so I don’t think it’s a Vista problem. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good Inverter online tutorial? I think my husband could do it himself given good instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I have an Inspiron E1505 with the same dark screen issue. If I put a bright fluorescent lamp right on the laptop screen at a certain angle, I can read what’s on the screen. The external monitor also works fine. A lot people suggest that the issue could either be the inverter or the back light. I’ve replaced both. I bought and returned 3 inverters and 2 new screens which also included the back light. None of them worked for me. I now decide to use my external monitor with this junky laptop. I could have used the keyboard/mouse of the laptop or that of a USB, but I prefer the wireless keyboard/mouse, so I can close the lid and leave the laptop under my table while I’m typing or surfing. Dell used to make very good products until recently when everything has gone offshores.
April 4th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 and the left half of my screen has gone dim, but the right side is fine. Its this way all the time. I also have some other problems. When I turn my computer on it goes back and forth between the normal screen and black screen, three or four times before it comes on and stays on. Sometimes it stays black and I have to shut the computer off and turn it on again. Also my computer freezes up when I am on the internet. I would like to know if this is something that can be fixed or will I have to buy a new computer? Please help
Jan
May 16th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I have an Dell Inspiron B130 and the light just went dim today. When the light went out i noticed some keys had been like taken off the computer (possibly the cat) I tried applying pressure to the lower left hand side of palm rest…and had a bit of a placebo effect or maybe the blood was just running to my eyes. The image isnt too dim but its a significant difference. I tried going to the control panel but I couldnt find anything that made the screen brighter.
Any help would be appreciated.
Randy
August 11th, 2009 at 10:40 am
When I turn on my Dell latitude D505, the screen looks light pink for less than a minute, then the screen looks ok, no that bright. But ok, good for me.
I’m wondering what the symptoms of the light pink is when the laptop starts up.
Should I replace the inverter?
Thanks for any suggestion.
Murray
August 12th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
my computer is IBM . the light of monitor went dim …what to do ..please suggest ..
August 12th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
jan,
It’s hard to tell what’s going on but most likely it’s either bad inverter board or failed backlight lamp.
First, I would try replacing the inverter board.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Murray HS,
I think you have a problem with the backlight lamp. Most likely it’s getting old and you’ll have to replace the screen soon.
I posted your questions and some suggestions here.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
I’ve a asus a6000 notebook for 4yrs and suddenly the screen has gone very dim. I can still just make out things if i try to see screen in light. During startup it beeps but displays dim . I used an external monitor and it works fine. Now i found that if move screen at specific angle from key board and start it displays, it displays at light
Can you please let me know what exactly the problem is? Is it some loose connection? or it is a software problem
May 22nd, 2011 at 11:56 pm
I had this problem and narrowed it down to calibration settings…just load the old calibration from screen settings/advanced settings..it fixed the dim screen for mei do not however know whats causing the calibration to get all wonky..
October 5th, 2011 at 10:29 am
hey sir , their is promblem regarding laptop light showing dim when i start my laptop and whileever when i plug charge itz light come as their in first time as original ………plz tell me wht the fault is dat ?
regard ,
jasrotia gaurav