Accidents happen. You’ve found yourself with a broken laptop screen, and now it’s time to decide: repair or replace? But what are your options, and what can you expect to pay to fix a broken screen?
The cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary depending on the manufacturer, what caused the damage, and how extensive the problem is. You might not have to pay anything if the issue stems from a defect and your device is under warranty. Otherwise, repairs can range anywhere from $50 to $500.
Because the cost of repairing your laptop screen can vary, you’ll need to do a bit of research to determine the damage…to your wallet. Let’s look at some of the factors that go into repairing a broken laptop screen and the risks of doing the work yourself.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen?
Many factors determine how much it will cost to repair your laptop screen. In most cases, it’ll depend heavily on whether or not your computer is still under warranty.
Once you’ve checked the status of your laptop’s warranty, you should be able to determine the approximate cost of repair. Keep in mind that prices will also vary depending on whether the damage is due to a manufacturing defect or an accident.
In the best-case scenario, your laptop is still under warranty and the damage is due to a manufacturing defect, so you might not have to pay anything at all. But for the most part, repairing a screen can cost anywhere from about $50 to $500 or more. Note that this is such a wide range because of all the possible ways a screen can break.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the cost of repairing a laptop screen depends on whether you do the work yourself or take it to a professional. Because DIY repair only requires replacement parts, it’s typically the least expensive option.
When you take your laptop to be repaired by a professional, they will not only factor in the cost of the replacement parts but also include labor costs. In addition, depending on whether they repair locally or send it off to be fixed, you may also face shipping and handling costs as well.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Repairing a Laptop Screen?
The cost of repairing a broken laptop screen depends on the circumstances. The extent of the damage, the laptop’s warranty status, and the type of device you have all influence how much you’ll end up paying.
Here’s a breakdown of how these details factor into the cost:
Level of Damage
One of the most important factors in determining the cost of repairing your broken laptop screen is the extent of the damage you’re dealing with. A thorough examination of your laptop can help give you a better idea of how bad it is.
Here’s some of the most common ways to determine the level of damage:
- Ensure that the laptop can still power up correctly.
- Plug the laptop into an external monitor to determine whether the computer still works.
- Carefully check over the laptop’s general physical condition.
Once you’ve done a bit of testing, you should be able to decide whether or not you should take your device to professional or take on the repair work yourself.
Warranty
Another important factor to consider when determining the cost of repairing your laptop screen is whether or not it is still under warranty. This can easily be determined by either checking the warranty yourself or contacting the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that even if your computer is under warranty, it does not necessarily mean that you will not have to pay for the damage. This is because they take into account whether the damage is due to manufacturing defects or if it was an accident on your part.
In most cases, if it’s determined that the broken screen is due to a defect, they will fix the problem at no cost to you. However, if the damage was caused by an accident, they will likely not cover the cost.
Device Type
Another factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of fixing your broken laptop screen is the type of device you have. This means you need to know who the manufacturer is and which laptop model you are dealing with.
While most repairs for a broken laptop screen are similar, there can be some differences because there’s some laptops that require more extensive work than others. For instance, if you have a touchscreen or OLED screen.
Before you decide to do the work yourself, you should always ensure that you’re confident enough to perform the repair to avoid making the problem worse.
Can You Repair a Broken Laptop Screen at Home?
Many people wonder if they need to take their laptop to a professional to be repaired when the screen is broken. The answer to this question depends on the type of laptop you have and the extent of the damage.
However, in most cases, a laptop screen can be fixed at home as long as you follow some simple steps and guidelines. These steps are designed to keep you from causing more damage to your laptop and help you determine if it’s best to take your device to a professional.
Here’s a basic outline of the process:
- Inspect your laptop for the model number and the level of damage.
- Make sure that you are purchasing the correct screen for your laptop size and model.
- Purchase either a repair kit with the screen replacement or make sure you have the right tools available.
- Follow the removal instructions thoroughly.
- Remove the broken screen carefully.
- Be careful when working around the cables and wires.
- Install your new screen.
This is a just a general guideline, so if these instructions already seem overwhelming, it may be best that you consult a professional.
What Are the Risks of DIY Repairs?
As with anything else, repairs that you choose to do yourself involve risks. It’s important to consider these outcomes before you decide to do the work yourself.
Here’s a few risks to keep in mind:
Voiding Your Warranty
One of the most important factors you need to consider before you begin the process of fixing your laptop screen at home is whether or not it is under warranty. If it is, the best option is to contact the manufacturer to have the screen repaired by one of their professionals.
Remember that if you choose to do the work yourself and your device is under warranty, you may end up voiding it completely. This means that if you end up causing more damage along the way, you won’t have the option to send it to the manufacturer for repair with the cost covered.
Making the Problem Worse
Despite your best efforts, it’s still possible to make the problem worse than it already is. This typically happens when people veer away from the recommended instructions.
If you’re not careful, you can cause more damage to your laptop which ends up making the problem much worse. The result of this will end up costing you more time and money than you may expect overall.
Injury
Another major risk is injury. If you’re not cautious, repairing a screen yourself means leaving the door open for cutting yourself on broken glass or electric shock.
When repairing a broken laptop screen on your own, you should ensure that you have inspected the machine thoroughly before you start. If the screen is cracked or shattered, you need to take extra precautions, like wearing gloves.
Another cause for concern is not having a solid understanding of the electrical risks that are involved in repairing your laptop screen at home. You will need to make sure that you are following the instructions for unplugging and taking out the battery before you begin the work.
Not following these instructions can cause you much more than what it would cost to have a professional technician do the work. To avoid any injuries, you should ensure that you are following the instructions completely.
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Fixing a Broken Laptop Screen
The bottom line when it comes to the cost of fixing a broken laptop screen is that the price can vary from costing nothing if you have a warranty to upwards of $500 or more. The difference in cost is due to various factors, such as the level of damage it has and whether you repair it yourself or take it to a professional.