Member Avatar for ignus_reef

I've read through some posts in the forum and realised that a few people have the same or similar problems to what I'm experiencing. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any solutions.

Everything works fine on the laptop apart from the display which is so dark that the only way I can see it is by shining a light on it. The problem occured the night before I went away for 2 weeks so I can't remember anything that I did that may have caused this problem.

On start up, the windows logo flashes up at normal brightness and then the screen goes to its dark state. I'm not much of a pc expert so I wouldn't know where to start with disconnecting internal hardware or anything.

At the moment I've got my laptop connected up to an external monitor and the display is fine. Changing the brightness on my laptop doesn't change the brightness of the display at all. Any help would be much appreciated.

Tim

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Generated

Several helpful replies are already in this thread (notably from , and a follow-up from ). Below are practical, low-risk checks and clear next steps that won’t duplicate earlier suggestions but will help narrow the fault and avoid unnecessary parts purchases.

First, do a couple of non-invasive diagnostics:

  • Perform a hard power reset: remove AC and battery, then hold the power button ~30 seconds before reconnecting.
  • Use a phone or digital camera to photograph the screen while the laptop is running. If the camera captures a readable image that looks very dim to the eye, the panel is receiving video data but the panel lighting circuit is not illuminating.
  • While powered on, slowly change the lid angle and watch for flicker or change in the faint image—intermittent change points to a damaged cable where it flexes in the hinge.

If those point to an internal cable or connector issue, these are safe inspection steps (only if comfortable with basic disassembly):

  1. Remove all power (battery and AC).
  2. Use a small Phillips and a set of plastic pry tools; remove any bezel screws (often under rubber pads) and carefully unsnap the bezel.
  3. Lift the LCD slightly and inspect the multi‑pin display cable where it plugs into the panel and where it exits the hinge for frayed wires, crushed ribbon, or loose connectors. Reseat the connectors firmly and test before fully re‑assembling.

If a damaged cable or connector is visible, replace the cable or the whole panel assembly using the exact part number printed on the label on the rear of the LCD (photograph that label). If there’s any uncertainty, stop and consult a local repair shop—panel illumination circuits can include high voltages and are best handled by someone experienced.

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Member Avatar for ShawnCplus

I am not sure which solutions you tried but if this was not one of them it usually is the fix. There should be a fn key on your keyboard, hold that and repeatedly press the up arrow. Hope that helps, sorry if it doesn't.

Member Avatar for ignus_reef

Like I said, attempting to change the brightness (using the Fn and
up and down keys) doesn't make a difference at all to the brightness.

Thanks for your help anyway.

Member Avatar for arneson

There is a tiny circuit board at the bottom edge inside your display.
It's called the inverter and it lights up your screen.
It is trying to come on at first and then failing, first replace inverter and then replace backlights.
If your not a tech then start looking for replacement lcd assembly, they are on Ebay.

Member Avatar for ignus_reef

Thank you very much for your response. That sounds like it's most likely the problem, it's just a shame I don't live in America. Finding a replacement assembly may be quite hard.

Member Avatar for Silkey

Same problem here...and thanks to the comments above the 1150 is back up and running. Some words of warning........go to the Delll website and dowload the Service Manual......MAJOR help in dismantling the thing to GET to the inverter board. Also....beware......my orig inverter was placed into its bracket with two-sided tape.....had to use a dental pick to pry it out....be sure to disconnect at both ends firts. Found the new one on eBay for $25.00. Thanks once more for the help of those above me. Silkey

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