Display failure: Red tint display and/or blank screen LCD

Question

I know of two other people who had a similar issue with Dell laptop displays and last Thursday it happened to me. I am trying to find out if this is a common issue that Dell should address through a recall of defective inverters/LCD displays. At least two of the laptops were 18 months old or less.

The issue often starts with a red tint to the screen on start up, but within a few weeks/months the display goes blank. However, if you hook up an external monitor and switch Windows to it as your primary you can still use your laptop. My research indicates that it is either a bad CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) or a bad inverter. The inverter is relatively cheap, but the CCFL is pretty much a new display unless you are an electical engineer. It seems that the frequency of the failures indicates it is more than just a random issue with Dell displays. The lines affected are the Vostro and Inspiron.

ejn63 · Answer

Recalls are made for safety reasons, not for hardware failures not involving safety. Red tint suggests a failing backlight - out of warranty, this is a $100-150 repair - it does not require a new screen.

jocase · Answer

I have not had such a problem. I have had a laptop display go blank but that was about a year ago and the machine was about 4 years old. Warranty covered it.

Maybe others will reply but this info should go direct to Dell. As I understand it, this is a user forum, but is monitored by a Dell employee from time to time.

2020 ETech · Answer

My error. My apologies for using the wrong word. It is a reliability issue, not a recall issue. When I advise my clients on hardware purchases I need to know if there is a reliability issue with Dell laptop LCD screens. The fact that I am experiencing this issue on an 18 mo. old laptop and that in the last six months I know of two other relatively new Dell laptops that have had the same issue may mean that it is a larger problem.

I've opened up my display frame and the inverter is relatively easy to replace; however, I'm not a tech and the backlight seems to be internal to the LCD. From what I've read, replacing the CCFL is not a job for a non-tech and the options are $75/hour for a tech (2 hr. min) plus parts, or purchase a new display. From what you've indicated a new screen at $109 is the better option.

Thanks for the info.

MWD123 · Answer

I just had this exact same problem with an inspiron 9300 I bought 4 years ago.  Dell support would offer no advice.  Upsets me because I have four laptops in my family.  I don't mind buying a new part but it would be nice if they would actually tell me what I need instead of having to guess.  Did you ever fix your problem?  If so, can you help me and advise on your final fix.

cmcrae · Answer

I am having relatively the same issues with my Dell XPS M1730 that is under a year old. It operates normally when I start it up in safe mode; however when it starts normally the screen has flashed red, white and blue on several different boot ups. Has anyone got an answer or is it best to just contact Dell directly???

ckbeaumont · Answer

I am having a similar issue. My laptop is 2 1/2 years old and it just started this. Twice now the screen has a very red tint. It seems to be random though it might happen close to when the battery is almost completely dead. I didn't use the laptop much in its first 2 years so I didn't notice another problem. The other problem is that it gets really hot. So does the power cord. It is a Studio XPS.

ejn63 · Answer

Is the screen CCFL or LED backlit?

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Display failure: Red tint display and/or blank screen LCD

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