Member Avatar for server_crash

I have a burn mark on my screen, and it seems to get bigger and bigger. I don't know why it's there. I know about ghosting, but my screen saver is usually running if my computer is idle. The only thing I can think of, is how I run it all the time. It's a laptop, and I use it for everything: gaming, programming etc. It stays pretty hot because it's on about 6-8 hours a day.

Any suggestions/comments?

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Dani AI

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Short expert note: the enlarging, thumb‑sized dark splotch described by is much more consistent with panel damage than with CRT-style phosphor burn‑in. LCDs can show pressure marks, delamination, liquid‑crystal leakage, or localized backlight/cell failure that darken or grow over time. That pattern is different from temporary image retention and is usually a hardware fault.

Quick steps to isolate the problem:

  • Run a full‑screen white and full‑screen black image (open a plain white/black picture in maximized mode). A true dark patch that stays visible on white usually means the panel or its diffuser/backlight is bad.
  • Attach an external monitor (VGA/HDMI). If the artifact is only on the laptop panel and the external display is clean, the fault is the screen, not the GPU.
  • Photograph the spot from a few angles and at different brightness levels to document whether it looks like a pressure stain, a dark cell area, or backlight unevenness.
  • Try safe software fixes only for stuck pixels (pixel‑cycling web apps); these help tiny single‑pixel issues, not large dark splotches. Do not apply hard rubbing or solvents—light, very gentle pressure with a microfiber cloth can sometimes reveal temporary effects, but vigorous rubbing risks permanent damage (as observed).

If diagnostics show a panel fault: back up important data, check warranty/repair options, and get the panel part number before paying for a repair. For older laptops, compare repair cost versus replacing the machine.

Prevention tips: avoid closing the lid with objects on the keyboard, keep vents clear to limit heat stress, avoid prolonged direct sunlight or extreme cold, and use sensible brightness/screensaver habits to reduce long‑term stress on the panel.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for alc6379

Are you sure it's a burn mark? LCDs don't have phosphor burn-in.

Is there any way you can take a picture of the screen and post it here?

Member Avatar for server_crash

I think the screen is going bad. My mom just got a new digital camera, and as soon as I can, I'll get a picture of it.

Member Avatar for server_crash

I still don't have a picture, but I contacted Dell and got an email pretty quick. They said they were sending me a new LCD screen...No questions asked. That's what you call top notch tech support.

Member Avatar for server_crash

Alex, here's a picture of what was going on. It's more prominent than it looks, but you can tell what's going on:


Well, I had a picture but it's not letting me post it.

Member Avatar for Real-tiner

Often sunlight or extreme cold can damage an LCD screen. Injury to the seal can also let air in, damaging the screen.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Is it LCD as magnets can damage CRT'S - e.g speakers

Member Avatar for BILL S

Being a laptop, I would wager so, unless running an outboard monitor as I plan to do with mine.
Does the image look like a dark splotch, so to speak?
Bill

Member Avatar for server_crash

Yeah. It was kind of like a dark splotch. It got darker and darker as time went on, and then another one showed soon after. But I emailed dell and they had a rep come out and replace it...so that was good.

Member Avatar for BILL S

Well, besides a nasty, but small scratch on my dated IBM LCD, there is also a thumb sized, dark circle 'splotch' as well, but the whole time I have owned it, never got worse. For a time when my friend had it during MN winter months, it developed nasty horizontal lines and I thought it was 'toast'. However, later, when I was back to using it... it cleared up rather quickly...might have been temp or stored near magnet that effected it. How long did that process take?

Another thing I just noticed was while trying a suggested remedy of rubbing the screen area to try to 'wake' dead pixels, though caution is suggested....didn't help my new monitor but showed a difference in reaction vs doing the same to the older IBM screen...tracing my finger around the screen showed a wrinkling affect, much like a water surface that disappaited as you moved the pressure away.
The Mits LCD panal is not prone to this affect
BILL

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