7 Imminent Signs of Monitor Failure

Welcome to a guide and list of the signs of monitor failure. So you are getting some funky colors on your screen while surfing the Internet? Some lines are popping up randomly? Or maybe nothing is showing up at all? Well, the very first thing to do is to verify that no one is playing a prank on you.

When you are positive that something has indeed gone bad with the monitor, and wondering if the end is near – Here are a few more telltale signs that your monitor is really going bust. Read on!

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Signs of Failure

Useful Bits & Links

The End

 

 

 

1) DIM IMAGES

Both CRT and LCD monitors do have a trend of becoming dim over long periods of time. A CRT monitor shoots out electrons from a cathode-ray tube, and an LCD monitor uses a backlight panel to illuminate the screen.

A dim display could mean that the cathode-ray tube or backlight panel is burnt out… Or you just forgot to turn the brightness up in the settings. Either way, repairs are probably not worth it, as replacing a busted tube or backlight is generally going to cost more than buying a new one these days.

 

2) DEAD PIXELS

A pixel is a “very small dot” on the screen that changes colors, and there are a ton of such pixels on monitors that work together to display images. Dead pixels are an issue found only on LED/LCD monitors, and these are pixels that totally do not light up, or are stuck to one color.

While a few dead pixels don’t really affect the rest of the monitor, it is just irritating to have a black dot in the middle (or a bright one for the matter). Monitor warranties usually cover not more than a certain percentage of dead pixels, but if you are getting a ton of these, it could be an indication of failing hardware or manufacturing defect.

 

 

3) FUNKY COLORS

As monitors age and the internal circuits start to fail, they may also start playing disco by randomly displaying all sorts of funky color casts. The usual trick of switching the monitor on and off will usually fix it, but it will also usually continue to persist until the circuits get toasted entirely.

However, it could also be an issue with the video cable and/or graphics card. So try using another video cable just to make sure that the current one isn’t broken, and plug the monitor into another computer to rule out the video card.

 

4) IMAGE DISTORTION & GARBLED IMAGES

Another sign of failing internal hardware is distorted images, and they may come in all sorts of “different flavors” – Random distortion lines, partially missing screen, garbled images, etc… Of course, this could have been a cable and/or graphics card issue again. So do the same of trying out a different cable, and on another computer to determine which is at fault.

 

 

5) FLICKERING

Here’s the thing, all monitors do flicker. They show images by flashing images on the screen many times every second. But that is usually so fast that the human eye cannot notice, and is extremely subtle even for the eagle-eyed folks. If there are noticeable flickers on your monitor, you could have a bad refresh rate configured on your operating system.

To rule out a configuration and/or graphics card issue, please do tweak the refresh rate setting on your computer, and see how it goes first. The other best way to determine a failing monitor is to plug it into another computer. If the flickering persists, then something is indeed wrong with the monitor.

 

6) NO POWER OR BLACK SCREEN

When you have plugged in the power, nothing shows up when you switch on the monitor. Of course, make sure that you have properly plugged the monitor into the computer as well, and make sure that the computer is working properly.

If nothing still shows up on the monitor, it could be a problem with the monitor’s power supply, or you have a fried circuit somewhere inside. Alternatively, a broken power cord could cause the issue, and changing one might fix the problem.

 

 

7) SCREEN BURN

Screen burn is an issue with CRT technology when you leave an image on the screen for too long, and it gets permanently burnt onto the screen. While the monitor is still usable, it will be extremely irritating with that burnt image now forever “overlayed” over the other images.

Sadly, repairing a burnt screen will mean a full replacement of the glass screen. That usually doesn’t make any sense, as it will cost more than buying a new monitor altogether.

 

 

EXTRA) TESTING AND CONFIRMATION

Before you decide to toss that “broken” monitor away, here is a small section of tests that you can do to determine if it is indeed a monitor fault. Because, you know, it could have been a graphics card problem, or maybe it’s just a faulty connector.

• First, please make sure that the monitor has the power plugged in, is switched on, and is properly connected to the computer. It’s kind of stupid, but sometimes, we just forget to switch on the power.
• Try using a different pair of power cables and video connectors. Just to make sure that your current ones are not broken.
• If your monitor “went bad” after a driver update, then it is probably a bad driver issue here. If you know-how, rolling back the update might help.
• Finally, connect another monitor to the computer. If that good monitor does not work as well, then you probably have a busted graphics card instead. You might have to send your computer to the service center for further diagnostics and repairs.

 

 

EXTRA) REPAIR OR BUY NEW?

Ah yes, buying a new monitor these days is much cheaper, faster, and more convenient than doing repairs. But before you slap another wad of cash needlessly, check if your monitor is still covered under warranty. You just might be able to get free repairs or even a free replacement.

If you decide to get a new one, please dispose of the broken monitor away responsibly. E-waste can be difficult to deal with, but some service centers will take them in if you ask, or you can just drop it off at a recycling bin.

 

LINKS & REFERENCES

• What happens when monitors go bad – Chron
• What to do when monitor won’t turn on – Lifehacker
• Types of Cables – Red Dot Geek