What you can do when your screen cracks or stops working

A broken computer screen usually means one of three things: the display panel itself is damaged, the cable connecting the screen to the computer has come loose, or the graphics hardware inside the computer has failed. The fix depends on which one it is. If your screen is physically cracked or won't turn on at all, you can test the connection in about five minutes before deciding whether to replace the screen or take the computer in for repair.

Most laptop screens and desktop monitors can be replaced without replacing the entire computer, though the cost and difficulty vary widely. A laptop screen replacement typically costs between $100 and $300 in parts and labor, while a desktop monitor replacement is usually cheaper because you straightforward unplug the old one and plug in a new one. Before you buy anything, spend a few minutes checking whether the screen itself is actually broken or whether the problem is something you can fix yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Test your screen connection by restarting your computer and checking that the cable running to the monitor is fully plugged in on both ends.
  • If your laptop screen is cracked but the computer still powers on, the display panel itself is broken and will need to be replaced.
  • A black or blank screen with the computer running may mean a loose cable, a graphics card problem, or a screen brightness setting turned all the way down.
  • Laptop screen replacement requires opening the device and disconnecting the old panel, which takes 20 to 45 minutes if you follow a video guide for your specific model.
  • Desktop monitor problems are usually solved by trying a different cable or a different monitor, since the monitor is separate from the computer itself.

Check the cable connection first

Before assuming your screen is broken, verify that the cable connecting it to your computer is fully seated. Power off your computer completely, then look at the back of your monitor or the sides of your laptop where the cable enters the device. On a desktop monitor, you will see a thick cable with a connector that has small pins or holes. Unplug it completely, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly until you hear or feel a click. If your monitor has a separate power cable, check that one too.

For laptops, the screen cable is inside the device, but you can still check the connection if you are comfortable opening the case. The cable runs from the back of the screen panel to the motherboard and plugs into a small connector. If you have never opened your laptop before, look up a video guide for your exact model first — different manufacturers route cables differently, and you do not want to accidentally disconnect something else. If you are not comfortable opening it, skip this step and move to the next section.

After reseating the cable, power the computer back on and wait 30 seconds for the display to appear. If the screen still does not turn on, move to the brightness check below.

Rule out a brightness or power setting

A screen that appears completely black or blank might straightforward be turned down to zero brightness. On most laptops, you can adjust brightness using the keyboard — look for keys with sun symbols, usually in the top row, and hold the one marked with an up arrow. Press it repeatedly for 10 to 15 seconds and watch for any change in the screen. If you see the brightness bar appear on screen, you have found the problem: keep pressing until the screen becomes visible again.

On a desktop monitor, look for buttons on the front or side of the monitor itself. One of them usually controls brightness or power. Press each button for a second or two and watch the screen. You may also see an on-screen menu appear — if so, look for a brightness or contrast setting and adjust it upward.

If the screen is still completely black and you cannot see any menu or brightness indicator, the monitor may not be receiving power. Check that the power cable is plugged into both the monitor and the wall outlet, and that the outlet itself is working by plugging in a lamp or phone charger to test it.

Identify physical damage to the screen

If your screen is visibly cracked, shattered, or has dark spots that do not go away when you restart, the display panel itself is damaged and will need to be replaced. Physical cracks do not repair themselves, and attempting to seal them with glue or tape will not restore the image quality. The only fix is to replace the screen panel.

For a laptop, this means opening the case, disconnecting the old panel, and installing a new one. For a desktop monitor, it means unplugging the old monitor and plugging in a new one. Laptop screen replacement is more involved, but the parts are usually available online for $50 to $150, and the labor takes 20 to 45 minutes if you follow a video guide specific to your model number.

Before you order a replacement screen, write down your laptop's exact model number — you will find it on a sticker on the bottom of the device or in your system settings. Search for "[your model] screen replacement" on YouTube and watch the full video to see whether the job looks manageable for you. If the video shows more than 10 steps or requires special tools, you may want to take the laptop to a repair shop instead.

Test with an external monitor or different cable

If your screen is not physically damaged but shows no image, connect an external monitor to rule out a graphics card problem. For a laptop, plug a desktop monitor into the video port on the side of the laptop using the appropriate cable — most modern laptops use USB-C or HDMI, while older ones use VGA or DisplayPort. For a desktop computer, unplug the monitor cable from the back of the tower and plug in a different monitor if you have one available, or borrow one from a friend.

Power on the computer and wait 30 seconds. If the external monitor displays an image, your laptop screen or desktop monitor is broken, not your graphics hardware. If the external monitor also shows nothing, the problem is likely inside the computer — either the graphics card has failed or the computer itself is not powering on properly.

You can also try a different cable with your original monitor. Monitor cables can fray or break inside the sheath, and a new cable costs $10 to $20. Swap in a different cable of the same type and test again. If a different cable fixes the problem, you have saved yourself a monitor replacement.

When to replace the screen yourself versus taking it to a repair shop

Replacing a desktop monitor is straightforward: unplug the old one, plug in the new one, and you are done. A new monitor costs $80 to $300 depending on size and features. Replacing a laptop screen is more involved but still doable if you are comfortable following step-by-step video instructions. The parts cost $50 to $150, and the time investment is 30 to 60 minutes.

Take your laptop to a repair shop if any of these explore: the video guide for your model shows more than 10 steps, the repair requires removing the motherboard, you do not have a workspace where you can safely lay out small screws and parts, or you are worried about damaging something else while the case is open. A repair shop will charge $150 to $400 for labor plus parts, but you get a warranty on the work and you do not risk breaking something else in the process.

For a desktop computer with a broken monitor, straightforward buy a new monitor — there is no repair needed. If the monitor works but the computer itself is not displaying anything, that is a different problem that may involve the graphics card or motherboard, and you should take the tower to a repair shop for diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my laptop with just an external monitor if the screen is broken?

Yes. Once you connect an external monitor via HDMI or USB-C, you can use your laptop normally without ever looking at the broken built-in screen. You will need to plug in a keyboard and mouse as well, since the laptop keyboard and trackpad are harder to use without seeing the screen. This is a temporary solution that lets you keep using the computer while you save up for a screen replacement.

What does it mean if my screen flickers on and off?

Flickering usually means a loose cable connection or a failing backlight. Reseat the cable first by powering off, unplugging it, waiting five seconds, and plugging it back in firmly. If flickering continues, the backlight inside the screen may be failing, which requires screen replacement. Flickering can also happen if your graphics driver is outdated, so check your computer's settings for driver updates before assuming the screen is broken.

Is it worth replacing a screen on an old laptop?

That depends on the laptop's age and overall condition. If the laptop is five years old or newer and works well otherwise, a $100 to $200 screen replacement makes sense. If the laptop is more than seven years old, the battery may be failing too, and you might spend more on repairs than the laptop is worth. Compare the screen replacement cost to the price of a used laptop of similar specs to help decide.

Why is my screen black but I can hear the computer running?

The computer is on but the display is not receiving a signal. This usually means a loose cable, a brightness setting turned all the way down, or a graphics card that has failed. Start by checking brightness using your keyboard or monitor buttons, then reseat the cable. If neither works, try connecting an external monitor to see if the graphics card is the problem.

Do I need to buy the exact same monitor model as a replacement?

No. For a desktop computer, any monitor with the same cable type will work — HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C are all common and interchangeable. For a laptop, you do need the exact screen model because the panel size, connector type, and cable length are specific to your laptop model. Search for your laptop model number plus "replacement screen" to find the correct part.