A laptop screen is one of the most important and delicate parts of a device. But what can you do if the screen gets damaged? The breaking of a laptop screen can bring your life to a standstill. There are some immediate steps that you can take to lessen the risk of further damage, and potentially it can fix the issues temporarily.
Let’s look into the essential tips for handling laptop screen damage.
1. Assess the Damage: Look for Visible and Invisible Signs
When you see your laptop screen damaged, the first thing you should do is assess the extent of the damage. There are several types of screen issues, starting from minor cracks to completely damaged displays.
- Cracks or physical damage: This crack can range from a small one to a large crack that spreads across the screen.
- Flickering screens: Sometimes the issue will only be visible when the screen flickers or dims.
- Dead pixels: If any part of your screen is not displaying any content, you might be dealing with dead pixels.
- Black screens: Your screen may remain black or fail to light up even though your laptop is on.
2. Avoid Applying Pressure or Further Damage
Once the screen damage is identified, do not apply any additional pressure. This sounds like common sense, but when the screen is damaged, a slightly applied pressure can make the situation worse. Let’s say if you open and close the laptop without addressing the issue, it can result in shattering of glass or further internal damage.
Do not use any tape on the screen as a fix. This can be a temporary fix but can result in complications of future repairs or can lead to a mess.
3. Shut Down the Laptop Immediately
When you notice severe damage on the laptop screen, the best thing you can do is to shut down the laptop immediately. If you continue to work with the same broken screen, then it can lead to more serious issues. Like damage to internal hardware or a short circuit due to exposed wires. Shut down the device to prevent unnecessary problems and look for opportunities in the repair options without causing any harm.
4. Use an External Monitor as a Temporary Solution
If your laptop is still functional but the screen is unusable, one of the quickest ways to regain access to your work is by connecting an external monitor. This temporary fix allows you to continue using your laptop without worrying about the damaged screen. Here’s how to connect your laptop to an external monitor:
- Find the correct cable (HDMI, VGA, or DisplayPort) that your laptop and monitor support.
- Connect the cable between the laptop and the monitor.
- Switch your laptop’s display settings to “Extend” or “Duplicate” so that the external monitor mirrors your laptop display.
- Continue working on your external display until you’re ready to fix the laptop screen.
This option is especially useful for people who need a temporary fix while waiting for professional repairs or when gathering the funds for a replacement screen.
5. Back Up Important Data
A laptop with a damaged screen could signal further laptop malfunctions, especially if the damage stems from a drop or other physical trauma. It’s crucial to back up all important data immediately. In some cases, the laptop may work fine for a few days, but the damage may escalate without warning. Use an external hard drive, cloud services, or a USB drive to ensure all your valuable files and documents are saved in case of further damage.
6. Try a Temporary DIY Fix for Small Cracks
If you find minor damage like a small crack or few dead pixels. Then there are some DIY fixes you can try. This is not a long-term solution but helps with prolonging the life of your screen until you seek professional help. Let’s look into a couple of quick fixes.
- Use clear packing tape: Use clear packing tape to cover the screen if there’s a small crack, as it can prevent the screen crack from worsening, but make sure not to press it hard.
- Dead pixel fix: Try gently massaging the affected area with a soft cloth or using pixel-fixing software that cycles through colors to “unstick” the pixel.
Conclusion
Laptop screen damage is an event that makes your daily life messy. In this situation, act quickly and responsibly to prevent further damage and make sure that it stays functional for as long as possible. Assess the damage and take preventive measures.
