Gaming Laptop Screen Upgrade!

In a shocking twist Linus offers you a tech tip that's cheap, easy to do and makes sense.

Buy a new laptop screen (can be found cheaper if you bid on eBay):

Intro Screen Music Credit:
Title: Laszlo - Supernova

[tammysilverwolf]

I do this kind of thing with my thinkpads, too; usually the issue with the brightness is that the manufacturer sets a whitelist for the type of display that you can use. If it doesn't match that list, windows won't let you adjust the brightness. Works fine in other OS's (I run linux, never had an issue). Figured I'd post this for other people considering this kind of mod. Well worth it for the money, just make sure and do your research for panels and manufacturers for your particular machine. Not all panels are created equal and there are a lot of enthusiasts that keep up on this stuff.

There are great deals to be had out there, though! Upgraded my little t440s to a 1080 panel for like 40 bucks.

[ColdFinland]

@Linus if you actually go to Device Manager and select the display -> Generic PnP Monitor -> Driver -> Update Driver -> Browse my computer (manual) -> Let me pick from a list -> Select Generic PnP monitor driver and install. Your controls of the screen will most likely work again (brightness, etc.), I've had the same issue after changing my laptop's screen, also this sometimes happens after upgrading Windows version for some reason, but the fix is quite easy. Hope you can use this tip.

[juozask.]

you forgot to remove the battery first! 90% of laptops continue to supply the battery/adapter voltage to the backlight circuit even when the computer is powered off, therefore LCD connector is not supposed to be disconnected or connected when there is live voltage on it, there is a risk of shorting out and damaging both the motherboard, and/or LCD when doing it, because the connector of that type does not guarantee that all of its pins will be aligned properly until inserted _fully_ (!).

[Kevin]

watching a 60fps video about a 120hz screen on a 144hz screen

[mb-]

Linus Tech Tips' videos is by far my favorite "learn something new" video channel. You guys are extremely good at passing along knowledge about technology (even to a computer and electronic engineer that's been playing with tech for decades like me). Your down-to-earth humor really catches my attention in each and every video. Keep up the fantastic work!!!!

[AuroraSymphony]

I would love to see a video compiling the most expensive mistakes that LTT has made over the years. It would be entertaining AND informative!

[allenroy]

I did this just a week ago on an Acer Aspire E15 and yes, it was so easy. And the brightness worked as well. Such an easy and awesome upgrade!

[carlwilhelm]

I'd really like to see the brightest issue fixed. I have a pretty badly scratched screen, and I want to be able to change brightest soooo, Alex get on it.

[pinkmouse]

I love these episodes when Alex doesnt plan anything, genuine reaction from everyone and the editing does the rest

[TheGhostAvatar]

Quick, simply, easy, and nothing dropped by Linus. This is not the standard I have come to expect from Tech Tips. Not impressed at all.

[kingsofserbiangameplay]

Why should I upgrade to 120 hz monitor when I can download 144 hz one?

[Piipperi]

Yeah you should have not touched that backlight. It can cause backlight bleeding.

[trssho]

I upgraded my dell latitude from a 1280x720 screen with less than an awesome viewing angle to a full hd screen, it was the best thing I ever did to it. Awesome video showing this option.

[layme]

I'm a simple person, I see laptop and upgrade in the same sentence, *I click.*

[chaddesch]

I love Alex-stuff. Videos with Alex are always a fun-time.

[nicholasmiller]

Welcome to 2021 where we now have 4k/120hz laptop screens and 30 series GPUs! I was able to pop in a 4k 120hz 15.6 panel and got it running! Amazingly, Nvidia support this with their driver now, finally.

[MrMarnix]

Always remove the battery first (or completely discharge it). When buying another panel to upgrade, make sure you've got the amount of pins right, the position of the connector, the size (ofc) and make sure you have a bit of knowledge about the kind of screen you're buying (TN, IPS, MVA etc.).

[giga-chicken]

"Lose your brightness adjust"
I lost my brightness adjust to a windows update.

[TheCanyonhopper]

Just did my laptop lcd panel upgrade last week. Bought 2 panel from different sellers from China just as a precaution. One of the panel was DOA while the other one was just perfect. My Acer laptop was very easy to upgrade. The good panel box also included the plastic bezel prying tool and a small philips screwdriver. The new panel was up and running in less then 15 Be aware that most gaming laptop put double-sided tape on their bezels.

[f]

Brightness adjustment almost always stop working when swapping panels, unless they're really really similar. There's however software tools to simulate the controls via keyboard shortcuts, like ctrl + arrow keys etc. Works pretty well.