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Backlight bleed is a common issue that can occur in LCD monitors and TVs, where some of the light from the display’s backlight is leaked through the edges or corners of the screen, resulting in uneven lighting and light patches on dark backgrounds. It can be a distraction when watching movies or playing games, and it can be frustrating for professional users who require accurate color representation.
Here are some methods to fix backlight bleed:
Adjust Brightness and Contrast Settings: Tweaking the brightness and contrast settings on your display can help reduce backlight bleed. You should adjust these settings to find the right balance between brightness and backlight bleed. Reducing the brightness can help reduce the light leakage, which can cause backlight bleed.
Check Cables and Connections: Make sure all cables and connections are secure and functioning properly. Loose or damaged connections can cause backlight bleeding.
Change Viewing Angle: Adjust the viewing angle of your monitor or TV to reduce backlight bleed. The amount of backlight bleed can vary depending on the angle at which you are viewing the screen. You can move your head around to see if there is a better viewing angle that minimizes backlight bleed.
Apply Pressure to Affected Areas: Applying gentle pressure to the affected areas can help reduce backlight bleed. You can try pressing your finger gently against the edges or corners of the screen, which may help redistribute the backlighting.
Contact Manufacturer: If the above methods don’t work, you may need to contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement. Backlight bleed can be caused by manufacturing defects or issues with the backlighting system, and the manufacturer may be able to provide a solution.
It’s essential to note that backlight bleed is a common issue with LCD monitors and TVs, and some degree of it is usually present in most displays. However, by following the above methods, you can reduce the amount of backlight bleed and improve your viewing experience.
The reason why they are a common problem with LCDs is that these monitors use a light source, the backlight system. The whole panel is lit up, and the LCD’s job is to block out any light not needed to display a specific image.
When you experience backlight bleeding, the problem lies in the blocking of the light, which is why you notice some unnatural bright spots that will ruin the image.
Backlight bleeding is not the same across all monitors, even those with the same model. At times, it is minimal, but it can be extreme as well. Because it is mostly visible under quite specific circumstances, it might not bother you at all. You might also either be sensitive or tolerant of it, but it will not lead to any issues other than an unpleasant watching or gaming experience.
While identifying it early enough is useful for returning the monitor while it is still under warranty, you do not need to panic. If you have been living with it for a while now and haven’t really had many problems with it, then there is no need to replace your monitor.
What To Do When You Experience Backlight Bleeding
The best-case scenario is when you observe this problem while the monitor is still under warranty. This way, you can either get it replaced for a new one or fixed by the manufacturer itself. You need to read the policy very carefully to find out whether this issue is covered. Until you are sure that the warranty no longer covers it, do not try fixing it yourself. Doing so will void the warranty immediately.
Otherwise, you can try to solve the problem by following these simple steps. All you need is a screwdriver and a microfiber cloth, plus you might want to use anti-static wrist straps the entire time.
1. Loosen the Screws of the Frame
One of the simple reasons for backlight bleeding is a panel screwed on too tight, which leads to the display being warped. With a screwdriver, loosen the screws a little. Too much force will lead the display to fall out and break- so you need to be a bit gentle!
2. Twist the Display Frame Slightly
In some cases, the display is not appropriately positioned inside the frame. Thus, the extra light bleeds through the edges of the screen. Try loosening the screws and twisting the frame before switching it on to check if there is still bleeding. If yes, then try the next step.
3. Clean The Spots Where There Is Bleeding
A possible cause of bleeding is the display not being completely flat. The causes of this can be dust and grease. In this case, you need a microfiber cloth to rub the areas where there is bleeding. Clean in a circular motion without using too much pressure. Wait a few days to let it settle, and repeat if you do not see any improvement.
4. Monitor The Progress
Check your progress after trying out each step because you might have already successfully decreased the bleeding of the monitor. To be sure, open a very dark video or image and take pictures. You can refer to online guides and videos to see how you can adequately test your monitor for backlight bleeding.
5. Reduce Brightness
Sometimes you will not notice any improvement even after trying out these steps. To live with the backlight bleeding, you can lower the brightness. It is not the most ideal solution if you have an HDR-capable display because of the lower image quality, but if the bleeding bothers you, this is the best way to reduce it when all else fails.
How To Avoid Backlight Bleeding
Backlight bleeding is an innate problem of monitors that use an active backlight, though this does not mean that every model and display will fall victim to it. Moreover, most cases are negligible and unnoticeable. But if you would like to truly avoid it, then you are better off buying an OLED display. They are, unfortunately, more expensive.
If you do not want to spend this much, do your homework on LCD models that have no or minimal bleeding.
Other Defects Common With LCD Displays
Besides backlight bleeding, you should also watch out for these other defects that have been reported on LCD monitors.
• Clouding
This defect manifests in patches on the screen, instead of the edges as you would see with backlight bleeding. It is caused by uneven backlighting and can be a bigger issue than backlight bleeding. When you are using the screen in a dark room, it is also much more noticeable.
• IPS Glow
Based on its name, this is much more common in IPS monitors. It looks like the display is glowing a little when you are viewing at specific angles. The glow also appears to be manifesting in the corners. This is due to IPS panel technology and can be seen at any time. When you do, try changing the viewing angle.
Conclusion
With these possible defects, should you still consider a purchase of an LCD display? The simple answer is yes. The only other alternatives are outdated CRT monitors and expensive OLED displays, which are not feasible options for everyone. Plus, backlight bleeding is normally not a serious problem, nor is it visible to everyone.
The best step is to thoroughly check your monitor after buying it, testing it in the right circumstances to check whether there is backlight bleeding. Thus, if it is a manufacturing defect, you can have it replaced or repaired before the warranty expires.
