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Question

Can someone tell me what's going on with this Samsung panel?

Sep 7, 2018 10:24AM PDT


Hi, is there anyone who can tell me what's going on with my left monitor?
I'll explain.
I have two identical monitors, 2 Samsung 27" LED panels. Suddenly, the left screen is acting the way you can see on this video. You can see the sides of the screen darkened and sometimes the panel just shuts down to restart again few seconds later. I've tried switching adapters, switching the HDMI cables, only using one screen, etc. The left panel just keeps doing what it's doing on this video, while the right panel works like a charm.
I'm pretty sure it's the left panel itself that is broken, but I would like to know what exactly is wrong with it.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Wrong sub-forum
Sep 8, 2018 10:16AM PDT

This does not belong in the home theater section. Try hardware?

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(NT) Thanks Pepe7, I'll move it to PC hardware forum.
Sep 10, 2018 9:22AM PDT
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Answer
(NT) (NT) Backlight problem, maybe?
Sep 8, 2018 2:05AM PDT
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Answer
Nod to backlight issues.
Sep 8, 2018 7:48AM PDT

Repair costs can exceed what a new display costs. Get estimates.

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Answer
Monitors Don't Last Forever
Sep 8, 2018 8:12AM PDT

Think of monitors as consumables, almost like printer ink (well, in BIG tanks). They can seldom be repaired.

It appears as if your backlighting is malfunctioning. It is usually quicker and easier, and nearly as cheap (or cheaper), to get a new one rather than trying to find someone to fix it.

Many monitors have a surprisingly short lifespan, although generally speaking Samsungs are not as bad as most. I have found ViewSonic monitors to be the most durable.

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Answer
Can you handle a soldering iron?
Sep 8, 2018 1:48PM PDT

Many backlighting issues can be fixed by replacing the capacitors on the main board inside the monitor. That just requires a little time and a little facility with a soldering iron.

Personally, I kind of enjoy a project like this a coupla times a year. But, as others have said, 27" monitors are pretty cheap, these days. Up to you to decide if it's worth an hour or two of your time to fix it.

First, search for your particular model of monitor along with the word "backlight" or, in your case, "flickering." Chances are you'll find a few forum posts of people having the same issue. They'll be able to tell you if it's capacitors, the inverter, or the LCD tubes.

If it's capacitors, you can do a search for your model of monitor and "cap kit." I got one on Amazon for about $12. I forget what I spent on some fluorescent tubes. Pretty sure they were cheap, too.

If it's the inverter, that usually doesn't involve soldering, but they're more expensive. One I got for a laptop screen was about $70. Probably not the inverter. I think those are only used to get the tubes started, and then it's not used, anymore.

Getting the cover off the monitor is often the most time consuming part, for me. The plastic frame is hooked on notches at the corners of the frame, and I find it very difficult to get the first corner free. It really feels like I'm going to break the thing.

Use care in making sure which capacitor goes where. Draw a diagram, or take a few pictures with your phone, and mark them up. Be careful getting the old capacitors out. You don't want to rip the "pad" off the board that the solder sticks to around the holes. I did that once, and was able to scrape a half inch of the covering off the trace and solder a spare bit of excess wire to get the connection back to that leg of the capacitor.