Laptop screens are some of the most delicate parts of these devices and are a huge magnet for damage. Your laptop will easily crack if you drop, slightly bump, or hit it; if you are lucky, you can fix it. However, sometimes the damage is so extensive that getting a new computer makes more sense.
Most of the time, your suspicions are spot on if you suspect your laptop screen is cracked. However, this does not mean it is the case all the times. Sometimes, your laptop can look cracked when it is not really damaged.
Let’s explore what would make your laptop appear cracked.
Why Does My Laptop Look Cracked?
Your laptop looks cracked when in the real sense, the screen integrity is not compromised because the screen’s outer protective layer is broken. Most modern laptop models have a protective layer, typically made of plastic, designed to protect the screen from damage. The laptop screen may appear cracked when this protective layer is torn or damaged. Therefore, you should inspect this layer before you can conclude that your laptop screen is damaged and work on getting a replacement.
What To Do If Your Laptop Looks Cracked
A screen crack is often not visibly obvious, but you will see the laptop screen showing unsolicited images or colors, or it could stop working entirely, signifying an existing problem. You may be tempted to take your laptop to a trustworthy, skilled computer technician to have the screen changed. However, before doing so, below are some things you should do that could save you a lot of money and time.
1. Connect The Laptop To An External Monitor
Sometimes a laptop screen can fail to display because it isn’t connected to the CPU and not because the screen is cracked. Connect your laptop to an external monitor to ensure this is not the cause of your screen problems. The external monitor will help reinforce your suspicions of a cracked screen.
2. Fold and Unfold the Laptop
Folding your laptop puts it on sleep mode while unfolding it wakes it up, making the screen come to life. The laptop screen can appear damaged by failing to display if it fails to get out of the hibernation mode. Folding and unfolding the laptop remedies this problem, so try this solution before considering changing the screen.
Since laptops are delicate, proceed gently to avoid damaging the other laptop parts or worsening the screen issues. No matter how frustrated you get, do not give in to the stress by forcefully unfolding and folding your laptop.
3. Detach External Accessories
A laptop screen can fail to display if it encounters issues while installing external/new updates and drivers. Before suspecting that screen is cracked, disconnect any external accessory and give your device some time to recover from the failed installation attempts.
4. Update Outdated Drivers
Outdated drivers are a menace to a laptop, causing all sorts of problems that computers have a hard time dealing with. As the laptop attempts to handle these drivers, something could go wrong, causing issues like screen mishaps. Should this happen, check whether the drivers are outdated before assuming that your laptop screen is cracked.
What Causes a Laptop Screen to Crack?
You cannot use your laptop if it does not have a properly functioning screen. Knowing what could cause a screen laptop to crack will help you watch out and avoid these causes, preserving your laptop’s functionality.
1. Pressing the Laptop Hard
Laptop screens are fragile; you can crack them just by pressing them too hard with your hands or other objects. You need to be extra careful if you have a touchscreen laptop because pressing such a screen too hard can cause cracks. It would be best to use a stylus rather than your hands to navigate the laptop.
2. Laptop Falls
You would be lucky if you did not damage your laptop should you drop it on a hard surface like concrete floors. About 30% of laptop screen cracks stem from dropping on the floor. You can minimize the occurrence of such accidents by investing in a quality laptop bag.
3. Hitting The Laptop
You can break your laptop screen if you hit it with a sharp object like a screwdriver or even a stylus. Therefore, keep sharp objects away from your laptop and use the stylus carefully.
4. Objects on the Keyboard
Before closing the laptop lid, ensure there are no objects on the keyboard because you risk cracking the screen.
Final Remarks
Your laptop screen looking cracked should not have you freaking out until you confirm that you have a problem that could require a screen replacement. Closely examine your laptop and employ the above methods to diagnose the issue. Also, handle your laptop carefully to avoid cracks altogether.