Stripes on the screen of a PC or laptop monitor - reasons and what to do
If streaks or artifacts appear on your computer monitor screen, or the same thing happens on your laptop screen, horizontal or vertical, white, red, green or blue, you are not alone in your problem, it is very common.
Unfortunately, most often this requires repair, but not always. Next, what could be the reason that stripes appear on the laptop screen or a similar problem occurs on the computer monitor, photos with examples of such stripes and what their appearance can tell about the source of the problem and the corresponding solution methods.
Note: if streaks or artifacts appear only in one program, then most often the problem lies in how this program interacts with the video card or with the latter's drivers.
For example, if strange stripes begin to appear in the Google Chrome browser, it is usually enough to disable hardware acceleration in the browser; for some other programs, for example, video players, this may also be relevant.
The main reasons for the appearance of stripes on the screen of a laptop and computer monitor
Among the main reasons for the appearance of horizontal or vertical color, white or black stripes on the monitor are:
- Problems with the video card, video chip (overheating, hardware malfunctions) - as a rule, in this case it is clear that the reason is not in the display itself (if you have seen problems with a cable or matrix before, it will most likely be clear), moreover, in a safe mode, with low resolution and in BIOS, the image may remain normal (but not always). The appearance of the stripes in this case often takes the form of artifacts, strange elements of image and text in different places, or stripes (often colored) arranged in a certain system evenly across the entire screen, examples will be given below. In this situation, most often there is a horizontal distribution of artifacts or stripes: even if the stripes themselves are vertical, we see them evenly distributed horizontally across the entire screen, apparently there is something wrong with the video card (but the second option is also possible).
- Problems with the laptop matrix cable or the cable (or connector) connecting the computer monitor. Outwardly it may look like the previous case, or like the next version. Sometimes the screen may “paint” a certain color. When opening and closing the laptop lid, or when physically impacting the monitor cable, the appearance of stripes or artifacts may change. In the case of a laptop cable, the image may also disappear over a large area of the screen: it becomes white or black, or a single vertical stripe of some color may appear.
- Damage to the laptop matrix or monitor screen. Usually it looks either like a set of multi-colored vertical stripes in one area of the screen (they can, in turn, consist of horizontal ones), sometimes like single vertical stripes, and black spots on the image are also possible (often have a horizontal orientation). If the matrix is seriously damaged, there may be more interesting patterns, combinations of vertical and horizontal lines.
How to check the matrix
Checking the matrix is an important step in order to determine the fault problem as accurately as possible. How can I do that? The easiest way is to take the monitor to a service center. There they will be able to disassemble the laptop and clarify the presence of a particular problem. If it is unprofitable or too expensive to take the monitor to a service center, then you can try to figure out the monitor yourself. Before this, you need to go to the website of the official manufacturer of the monitor or laptop, and then find out about the location of the matrix. The fact is that this component can be located in different places depending on the screen model, as well as its manufacturer, so it is extremely difficult to name one place where it can be installed.
The easiest way to check the matrix is using specialized software. This can be either the popular Everest program or similar software. However, you need to understand that all these programs will not help determine the exact cause of the problems. They will allow you to find out about the presence of any malfunction only superficially. It is quite obvious that such information may not be enough to completely eliminate this problem.
What to do to fix the problem with stripes on the screen
For most cases, such as damage to the cable, hardware malfunctions of the video card or damage to the screen matrix, you will have to seek equipment repair or change it, but sometimes the following options are possible:
- If you suspect a problem with the video card, and you have a desktop computer that has a separate integrated video output, and the integrated video card is turned on, try connecting the monitor to this output.
- If connection problems are suspected and we are talking about a PC, again, you can try other cables, inputs on the monitor and outputs on the video card.
- A laptop with a broken matrix or damaged cable can usually be connected to an external monitor or to a TV (see How to connect a laptop to a TV).
- If you are not sure whether it is the computer monitor or the computer itself (its video card), try connecting the monitor to a laptop, another computer, or a game console and see if the problem persists.
A common recommendation is to update or roll back your video card drivers. You can try this, but it helps in very rare cases and only for the first scenario: when we assume problems with the video chip.
I hope that some of the information presented will help you figure out what exactly the problem is in your case and take appropriate action to solve it.
How to solve this problem?
Stripes appeared on the monitor. How to solve this problem? Actually, we examined all possible solutions in this article, all of them are described above. First, you need to diagnose the equipment, clean the computer, since dust can cause overheating of important computer elements, and then draw conclusions and look for a way out of this unpleasant situation. A vertical stripe on the monitor or another graphic defect - all this is caused by the problems that we have discussed. As for the ways to eliminate them, we also examined them, in particular we mentioned the motherboard itself, which can serve as a source of negative impact. But, unfortunately, it is quite difficult to check it, so the only correct solution may be to contact a service center. Everything else can be checked and you can figure out what exactly is the reason for the defect appearing on the screen.
Thus, replacing the matrix is necessary in the following cases:
Only one part of the screen works, and the other part just displays a white canvas
or there is a wide white stripe on the screen
or some other artifacts
There is a characteristic ripple across the screen
Multi-colored vertical stripes
Blurred image when bending the matrix
All colors of the image on the screen are displayed in negative: for example, black - white, white - black, red - blue, etc.
Repair or replacement of the cable will be required if there are many multi-colored lines on the screen, and the image itself ripples or flickers, and the image changes when opening and closing the laptop.
In this case, the external monitor should show everything correctly.
The motherboard or video card needs to be repaired if:
Multi-colored lines run across the entire screen, usually repeating at certain intervals, while the same picture is created on the connected monitor
There are ripples across the screen, as in the case when the matrix is faulty, but replacing it did not produce results
Now - more about how to solve the problem with stripes on the screen.
If it turns out that the reason for the appearance of stripes lies in a malfunction of the video card or motherboard, then we can advise the following. There are two types of video cards in laptops - integrated (built-in) and external, depending on the laptop model. You can only replace the external video card yourself; it is inserted into the PCMCIA slot. It won’t cost you a lot, but it’s still cheaper than repairs at some service center.
If the video card is integrated, or the motherboard is faulty, then the laptop will have to be taken in for repair. Most likely, the repair will cost you a lot, so be sure to ask the service center representatives to agree on a price in advance. After all, the invoice amount that you will be charged for the service may be close to the price of the laptop itself, but even if it costs you half a laptop, think carefully about whether you really need it? After all, in any case, a refurbished laptop is not a new technology, and it can fail you at the most unexpected moment.
If the chip on the video card malfunctions, the service will most likely offer you one of the following options
Warming up the chip
– the most cost-effective repair option, but there is no guarantee that this will solve the problem, and even if successful, the malfunction may occur again;
Reballing, of course, will cost more than warming up, but in 99% of cases it will provide a successful result.
Chip replacement
- the most expensive option, and it’s not a fact that replacement is justified; often reballing is enough to fix the problem. One way or another, the choice is yours. You just have to weigh the pros and cons of each option, based on the cost of repairs, the laptop itself, and expert advice.
The motherboard can also fail due to oxidized contacts, overheating or minor corrosion, for example, after spilled tea. Options for solving the problem will be similar to those in the situation with a video card.
Cause of malfunction
If the user observes several colored vertical lines on the TV screen, then perhaps the following will be enough to troubleshoot the problem:
- calibrate monitor settings automatically;
- Clean the cable contacts from dust and dirt.
These actions will lead to a positive result only if the device has not received any serious technical damage.
When accompanied by vertical stripes, for example, ripples or drops in FPS, it can be assumed that the cause of the malfunction lies in:
- oxidation of the matrix plume;
- matrix defect;
- failure of some board components.
If such defects occur, it is recommended to return the plasma TV to the store under the seller’s warranty for an exchange of the faulty device.
It is worth noting that repairing a TV device can rid the device of color stripes only for a while - after a year or even a few months the defect will return.
If the breakdown makes itself felt after the end of the warranty period, the user can either purchase a new TV or try to repair the faulty equipment.
Black vertical and horizontal stripes on the TV screen
Such stripes are often located on different sides of the screen, sometimes in its center. This is one of the most problematic breakdowns, requiring serious costs, since the cause in most cases is damage to the decoder. In this case, a complete replacement of the matrix will be required.
If urgent measures are not taken, the lines will expand and the screen will stop lighting. We will have to invest even more money to restore its functionality.
Small vertical defects
Depending on the type of TV, such breakdowns indicate failure of the decoder or matrix column. The reasons are power surges. If even one stripe is not eliminated in time, it will spread until it covers the entire screen.
Thin vertical stripes on the monitor
The reason for the appearance of vertical stripes on the TV screen that do not light up at all may be a breakdown of the decoder or matrix columns. This occurs, for example, as a result of a lightning strike or sudden power surges. If timely measures are not taken, the stripe will expand and eventually completely cover the screen.
Vertical pink
Most often, color stripes on the screen appear as a result of damage to the monitor matrix. Failure may occur due to a failure of the power supply system, impact or other similar influences.
The reason may also be normal wear and tear of the elements: if a vertical stripe of pink color (less often purple) appears on the monitor, the reason for this is most often a breakdown of the scaler. Sometimes such a defect is present even in new TVs, but here the cause, as a rule, is a manufacturing defect - in this case, the TV should be immediately returned to the store under warranty.
Vertical white (light) stripe on the TV screen
It can be barely noticeable and flickering or, conversely, clearly defined. The appearance of such stripes - as well as stripes of any other shades - primarily indicates a problem with the matrix.
You can check the correctness of this assumption in the following way: press, move (without much effort) or otherwise gently influence this element. If the line disappears and reappears on the screen, the part is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Several vertical lines of the same color
The appearance of such interference on the screen has more serious reasons. If one or more single-color stripes appear on the screen, this means that the matrix itself is broken. In this case, it is important to contact a service center or call an LCD TV repairman to your home, since over time these stripes will grow and may subsequently occupy the entire screen area. But don’t be too afraid of this, since repairs are still possible in the initial stages. In more advanced cases, the matrix will need to be replaced.
Blue vertical lines
After overheating or prolonged use, blue vertical stripes may appear on the TV screen. They indicate problems with the video card, which has its own expiration date. Another reason is the peeling of the matrix cable or the peeling of the solder ball of the video processor of the BGA substrate.
Advice. Even if the cause is identified, you should not disassemble the TV yourself unless you are a master. The elements of the matrix and microcircuits are so small and fragile that it is not difficult to damage them.
Vertical red
Its appearance most often lies in a broken contact of the matrix cable. Sometimes the cause is burnt elements. This may also indicate that the cable connectors are damaged or dusty. Such stripes can also appear due to the fact that a track on the board has peeled off or the VGA wire has been damaged.
Green vertical defects
Such breakdowns indicate damage to the cable connecting the image forming board and the LCD matrix. Such a line can be anything: from a wide line of several centimeters to a narrow line of 1-3 pixels.
Interesting fact. If the strip appears suddenly after the TV has been running for a long time, turn off the equipment and let it cool. Often, along with overheating, the defect also goes away.
Yellow vertical
When it appears on the LCD monitor, the first thing you need to do is try to connect it to the network by disconnecting it from the system unit. If the bar disappears, then the problem is most likely in the video card. The capacitors may be swollen and will need to be replaced. Otherwise, the problem must be looked for in the display.
Multi-colored horizontal stripes, ripples, picture distortions and stains
The appearance of such changes in the image means a loss of connection between the contact cable and the screen matrix. This problem can be solved by re-soldering the contacts at the connection point. Now there are a lot of materials - articles and video instructions on how to independently repair various equipment. However, it is worth keeping in mind that all actions in them are performed by professionals. And if you do not have the appropriate qualifications, it is strongly recommended not to independently troubleshoot problems that have caused the appearance of colored or white horizontal stripes on the TV screen, since although the problem is not critical, one wrong move can significantly aggravate the situation, which in any case will require help qualified craftsmen.
Solving the problem with stripes on the laptop screen
Many laptop users are faced with a situation where monochrome or multi-colored stripes appear on the screen. They can be vertical or horizontal, with a desktop or black screen background. The behavior of the system may differ from case to case, but is always a sign of serious problems. We will devote this article to an analysis of the causes and solutions to this problem.
The video card stopped working
The video card is responsible for transmitting the image to the screen. It bears a serious load, which is why breakdowns of this part occur quite often. When diagnosing, you must follow a certain algorithm of actions:
When flickering stripes appear on the laptop screen, and the time after booting is 5-10 minutes, special attention is paid to the video card. This is due to the fact that the device heats up gradually.
When the chip on the video card overheats, problems appear. To prevent its complete failure, it is necessary to promptly monitor the cooling system of the laptop. What measures can be taken:
- Replacing the chip completely is financially expensive, but most effective.
- Rebowling, dismantling and putting the same chip back - in some cases it helps.
- Warming up the chip is cheap, but too annoying. Improves the image situation only temporarily.
If the video card temporarily overheats, this situation can be corrected. In addition, if stripes appear on the monitor, this may not be permanent: for example, when loading a game at maximum requirements. But when the video card completely fails, stripes may also appear on the screen immediately upon boot, or the monitor will remain a “black square” altogether.
Physically checking the operating mode of the cooler on a laptop is quite problematic. But this may be the reason why vertical or horizontal stripes appear on your laptop screen. You can use software utilities, many of them are freely available. They will provide information about the heating of various system components.
If deviations from the norm are detected, experts advise that you first remove the back cover of the laptop and carefully clean it of dust. The most convenient way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner at low power. It would be a good idea to update the layer of thermal paste; it is available for sale at service centers and computer hardware stores.
Note! If, upon visual inspection of the chip, traces of carbon deposits are noticeable, it is necessary to replace it, since the device is definitely out of order.
It is also recommended to purchase a special stand with fans for devices, which reduces the thermal load. This is especially useful for laptops that are used at maximum speeds and demands. There is a high probability that the line will no longer appear on the laptop screen.
Stripes on laptop screen
In this article we will look at such a problem as a malfunction of the matrix, or, more precisely, the appearance of stripes on the screen.
The occurrence of this failure is a serious disruption to the operation of your device. And dealing with such a problem is not so easy. Identifying this breakdown is not as difficult as diagnosing why exactly ripples appeared on the screen of your favorite laptop, since the design of laptops is much more complex than the design of a home PC. The stripes on a laptop matrix can be absolutely anything (horizontal, vertical, colored, white, black). And the reasons lie deep in the problems of your device.
The matrix is damaged
You can make sure that the cause of the malfunction is most likely the matrix itself or the cable connected to it by performing the following simple manipulations:
- First, you need to open a bright picture with rich colors on the screen.
- Then you should press lightly on the surface of the monitor in the area where suspicious stripes are detected.
It is recommended to check the display itself by slightly bending it in different planes or changing the angle of inclination.
Display with a folding mechanism and a cable hidden in it
In a situation where, when pressed or bent, the number of stripes noticeably increases or they immediately change color, the cause of the malfunction most likely lies in the matrix or in the place where the cable is connected.
The same reason is indicated by a violation of certain colors of the image. This happens, in particular, when color loss is added to the stripes on the screen (the picture is displayed in black or white).
Reasons for the appearance of stripes
- Video card overheating. If you have been diagnosed with the fact that your screen begins to ripple with stripes due to overheating of the video card. Then improving your laptop's cooling system will solve your problem. For example: a stand with coolers, cleaning an old cooling system, or completely replacing it with a more powerful one.
- Complete failure of the video card. Most often, the main reason is also overheating in the first situation; laptops with hardware failure are less common. In this situation, the stripes either appear when you start the operating system, or your device completely refuses to work. But it is also worth noting the fact that with this type of breakdown, wide white stripes appear on the screen and they can be both horizontal and vertical. But no one is immune from color stains on the screen. Solving this problem is not that difficult. Repairing or upgrading the video card will help, but replacing the card in a laptop yourself is not so easy and if you do not have these skills, it is better to take it to a service center.
- System board failure. The situation is the same as with a video card failure. Only the stripes are colored.
- Loop failure. A cable runs from the motherboard to the laptop matrix, thanks to which the signal reaches the screen. The reasons for the breakdown can be very different. For example: poor contact between the board and the cable, burnout, fracture, cracks can cause malfunction of the screen and color rendering to the laptop matrix, which is why stripes appear.
- Damage to the matrix, failure. This shelf is critical and hopeless, the only solution is a complete replacement of the matrix. There are rare exceptions when reinstalling or updating video drivers helps, but you should not hope for this, such a case may be one in a million.
How is the connection between the cable and the matrix arranged?
Below are different diagrams that convey one idea - to connect the contacts of a flexible cable with the sprayed contacts of the matrix, it is used. Inside this tape (in my opinion) there are conductive beads located at a sufficient distance between each other so that there is no electrical contact. Contact appears when the tape is heated and compressed - the balls come closer and conductivity appears.
It must be remembered that a decoder is placed on the flexible cable and the problem may be at the junction of the cable and the decoder.
How to understand that the cables are to blame - watch an English-language video on the topic.
Like a Chinese guy in a garage, he removes the cable with the decoder from the matrix, cleans out the remnants of the old anisotropic glue on the cable and on the matrix, and applies a new one.
Problem solving
Loop repair
Recently, cable-related problems have most often occurred in older laptop models. Because new models use stronger, updated and adapted cables. This is the trap that finding a new cable for an outdated laptop model will be quite difficult, but possible. But there is one thing: Before you go looking for a new cable, be sure to rewrite the matrix model of your device. But still, if luck smiled on you and you found the one and only, you are lucky, but if not, then you can take the risk of trying to fix the damage with your own hands. For repairs we will need: electronics skills (the basics), a soldering iron, solder, rosin, a tester and an MGTF mounting wire. To ring the loop we will have to get to the ends on both sides.
What to do next?
And the repair plan is quite simple (it’s better, of course, to contact a service center if you don’t have the skills to work with a soldering iron):
- We call the train.
- We find a break (if there is one).
- In the place where the break occurred, we solder a duplicate wire parallel to it.
If no break was found, then the problem lies in more expensive components.
System board repair
The motherboard is not a simple thing and may not fail completely. As a result of overheating of individual areas, the microchip or the bus (responsible for exchanging data with the video card) may burn out. It is important not to forget about the PCMCIA slot (the slot in which the video card is installed), whether there are any scorched or oxidized contacts there. But even if the contacts fall off, you cannot do without repairs. The ideal solution to this problem would be a number of the following actions:
- Diagnosis (if opal or oxidation is confirmed).
- Resoldering the chip or cleaning the contacts.
But the type of complex repair with a burnt board will not justify itself and it will be easier to replace the part with a new one.
