Have you ever been in the middle of a project when your monitor suddenly died? There are a variety of reasons why you would be blindsided by a blank screen. Before you find out why, first try inspecting the basics:
– Is the power cable plugged in?
– Does the power cable connected to a working power strip?
– Is the power cable (or power strip) connected to a working outlet?
– Is the switch for that outlet turned on?
– Are both the monitor and computer turned on?
If you are still faced with a dead monitor, try plugging a different monitor into your computer. If the new monitor works, then this narrows the scope of your problem to your old monitor.
Two common causes of a dead monitor are a broken backlight or inverter.
It is tough to distinguish between the two causes, but here is a general diagnosis:
– If your screen went to black suddenly, it is probably a problem with the inverter. The inverter supplies the power for the screen’s backlight.
– If your screen gradually became dimmer, then it would probably be a backlight issue.
You can also use a multi-meter to detect whether you have a broken inverter.
Hold the ends of the multi-meter up to the inverter board. A good inverter should have a reading of 25 to 90 hertz.
For the economically inclined (and the technologically confused), keep in mind that an inverter replacement is usually cheaper than a backlight replacement.
But why risk emptying your wallet for equipment you may not need? The safest solution is to have your monitor examined by a professional. Use TalkLocal for a fast connection to your local tech support. Just enter your problem, location, and service need and you will be connected to help within minutes. Best of all, TalkLocal’s service is completely free.
