Article Number: 000150456
Accidental Damage is any damage due to an unintentional act that is not the direct result of a manufacturing defect or failure. Accidental damage is not covered under the standard warranty of the product. Such damage is often the result of a drop or an impact on the LCD screen or any other part of the product which may render the device nonfunctional. Such types of damage are only covered under an Accidental Damage service offering which is an optional add-on to the basic warranty of the product. Accidental Damage must not be confused with an occasional dead or stuck pixel on the LCD panel. For more information about dead or stuck pixels, see the Dell Display Pixel Guidelines.
No, accidental damage is covered for Dell computers or monitors which are covered under the Accidental Damage Service offering for that specific product.
For more information about Dell Limited Hardware Warranty and Dell's Accidental Damage service offering, see the Dell Warranty & Support Services page.
The LCD glass on the display is manufactured to rigorous specifications and standards and does not typically crack or break on its own under normal use. In general, cracked, or broken glass is considered accidental damage and is not covered under the standard warranty.
Figure 1: An example of a display panel with scratches
Figure 2: An example of a display panel with scratches
Figure 3: An example of a display panel with cracks and broken glass
The internal glass has cracked allowing the liquid crystal to pool into areas of the screen.
Internal cracks typically occur due to excessive force on the screen. This can be the result of some object hitting the screen, a drop, attempting to close the lid while an object is on the keypad area, or even holding the laptop by its screen.
Figure 4: An example of black splotches or ink spots on the LCD panel
Figure 5: An example of a cracked or broken screen with black splotches or ink spots on the LCD panel
Spots typically occur due to an external force hitting the screen causing damage to the LCD panel's backlight assembly. While the top layer did not crack or break, the underlying area was compressed and damaged causing this effect.
Figure 6: An example of dark spots on the LCD panel
Figure 7: An example of a dark spot on a damaged LCD panel
Spilling any type of liquid can cause it to seep into the LCD panel.
Figure 8: An example of LCD damage caused by a liquid spill
If your Dell laptop LCD panel has any accidental damage but the laptop is not covered by the Accidental Damage service offering, contact Dell Technical Support for repair options.
Dell monitors cannot be repaired by an on-site field engineer or at the mail-in repair center. If you notice any damage to the monitor, you must purchase a new monitor.
Laptop users can strive to make the most of their laptops to maximize stability, longevity, and usability. Understanding and implementing a few best practices for the safe handling of their laptop will enable them to enjoy their laptop for many years to come. For more information, see the Dell knowledge base article Dell Laptop Best Practices for Care, Use, and Handling.
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12 Dec 2023
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