~Laptop Screen Replacement Tutorial~

A couple months ago my laptop screen started to flicker, eventually completely blacking out. Turns out it was just something in the screen itself that had burnt out, but nothing at all wrong with the actually computer. I took it to Best Buy hoping they could help me with it. Of course that was a mistake as they tried convincing me that to buy a new screen would cost more than a bran new computer. Lies. Just saying. Never settle for a simple answer, people! you're getting ripped off! So then I went searching online for deals on computer screens. I found one at http://www.laptopscreen.com/ for a good price (I think it was around $140 which, yeah, is still expensive but way less than a new computer would have cost me). There's a section on their main page that says "Search by screen number" which I recommend doing as trying to find it any other way may land you with the wrong one. So, on the back of your old screen (once you have actually disassembled and disconnected it) you will see an 8-digit number (for example, mine was M156NWR1)

That is the number you will look for. Any other screen will not be compatible with your computer!
Okay, now for the actual installation bit.
~First off you want to get your old screen out. Remove all screws and screw covers (round rubber things) from the plastic front cover around your screen. Make sure you put them in a safe place!!! I put mine in a little plastic bag

When this is done the plastic front should snap off relatively easily. Just be very careful with the bits covering the hinges. It can be tricky to get them off but if you use a butter knife or some such tool you can carefully lift them off from the side.

With the inside now exposed you will see 2 panels holding your screen into place. You will need to remove the screws on these panels as well. Stow them with the other screws or in another container to avoid confusion.
When the screen is free you will need to disconnect 2 wires. One is found on the back of the screen and another on the lower right hand corner of the exposed computer.

Wire on back of screen

Wire on bottom right hand corner

Now it should be completely free from the body of the computer. Please be responsible and dispose of the old screen by taking it to a recycling center!!! These screens contain mercury which is very, VERY harmful to people and the environment and should be properly dispensed of. And no that doesn't mean sending it to a landfill! Okay, enough on that rant.

To install the new screen, basically you just have to reverse the steps for dissembling the old one. All the same i will give you a step-by-step.


~Connect the wires. Make sure they are turned the right way when plugging then in. Small metal bits fitting into the right places and all that. If you've ever put a puzzle together then you're good. Not too difficult. Also make sure they are pushed in ALL the way otherwise, upon turning it on later and discovering that you're only getting a white foggy glow, you'll have to go through the whole disassembling process again to do so. Don't make my mistakes!

~ Once the wires are all plugged in, connect the screen to the two metal panels with the small screws. They (the screws) should be magnetic, so, if you're very careful, you can hold each one with the screwdriver before replacing them instead of fumbling with them and loosing one. Again, don't make my mistakes!

~ The last step is the easiest (but again be careful with the hinge covers). Snap on the front plastic cover and replace the screws.

Because the adhesive on the backs of the screw covers may have worn off, I'd suggest using rubber cement. Easy to apply and equally as easy to simple rub off of any unintended areas once dry. Magical stuff, rubber cement.

Huzzah! You've done it! Replacing your very own laptop screen: check. So easy, even Donna Noble could have done it. Enjoy your lovely new installment in your favorite old laptop♥

Thoughts on this? Please let me know if this helped at all!