8 DIY Approach to Fixing White Spots on Screen

Have you noticed unsightly white spots on your screen?

These white spots on your screen can be a real annoyance, disrupting your viewing or gaming experience and making detailed work nearly impossible.

Fear not. I’ve rounded up 8 DIY techniques to help you eliminate these white spots from your screen.

Let’s walk you through these practical solutions. However, before I do that, let’s understand more about the white spots you get on your display screen.

What are White Spots on Screens?

White spots on screens, also known as bright spots, can be described as small, circular discolorations that appear on your laptop’s display.

They can vary in size and number but are notably lighter than the rest of the screen.

They’re an issue that can affect various types of laptop screens, hindering screen clarity and overall user experience.

Reasons Behind the White Spots on Screens

White spots can be caused due to several reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Stuck pixels: Stuck pixels occur when one or more of the LCD’s subpixels remain on and do not change colors as they should, resulting in white or colored spots.
2. Physical damage/pressure spots: Any impact or pressure on the laptop screen could damage pixels and lead to white spots.
3. Heat damage: Your laptop overheating or exposure to high temperatures can cause discoloration, leading to white spots.
4. Manufacturing defects: Screen imperfections and white spots occasionally result from manufacturing flaws.

DIY Approach to Fixing White Spots on Screens

Power Cycle Your Laptop

Power cycling your laptop can help reset your laptop’s hardware components.

This simple hard reset can solve minor hiccups and glitches in the system, which might be causing the white spots.

This method can solve the issue if the white spots on your screen are due to a system error.

You can follow these steps to perform a Power Cycle –

1. Save any open files, and then close all open applications.
2. Shut down your laptop by accessing the power options from the Start menu.
3. Once the laptop is completely turned off, disconnect it from the power source and remove the battery, if possible.
4. Press and hold the power button of your laptop for about 15-30 seconds. This will ensure the discharge of any residual electricity stored in your laptop’s components.
5. Re-install the battery and connect your laptop back to the power source.
6. Power your laptop back on.

Update Graphics Drivers

The graphics driver software allows your operating system and programs to use your laptop’s graphics hardware.

If you have an old or corrupted driver, it can cause various display issues, including white spots.

By keeping your graphics driver updated, you’re ensuring your laptop screen’s performance remains optimal.

1. Navigate to the Device Manager, which can be found in the Control Panel or by searching “Device Manager” in the start menu.
2. Once in the Device Manager, expand the category “Display Adapters”.
3. Right-click on the graphics driver and select “Update Driver”.
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and allow the process to complete.
5. Restart your laptop to apply the changes.

Screen Cleaning

Dirt, dust, and smudges can create spots on your screen that may be mistaken for the white spots associated with underlying hardware or software issues.

A thorough and careful cleaning of your laptop screen can help you determine whether the spots you see are marks on the surface or white spots caused by other factors.

If the spots are removed post-cleaning, they were likely not “white spots” but merely surface dirt. If they persist, the spots are likely caused by other underlying factors.

1. Power off the laptop and unplug it from the power source.
2. Obtain a lint-free cloth and screen cleaning solution (typically a combination of vinegar and distilled water or a specialized screen cleaning liquid available in stores).
3. Apply the cleaning solution to the cloth, not directly to the screen.
4. Gently wipe the screen in circular movements, and be careful not to apply pressure that can damage the screen.
5. Allow the screen to dry thoroughly before powering the laptop back on.

Reconnect the Video Cable

White spots can be caused by loose or damaged video cable connections that disrupt the connection between the laptop’s GPU and the screen.

Each pixel on the screen relies on this connection to display colors correctly. Hence, a poor connection may result in a faulty color display, creating white spots.

1. Power off your laptop and unplug it from the power source.
2. Following the instructions from the user manual, carefully remove the laptop bezel (the plastic frame around your screen).
3. Locate the video cable – it’s usually a flat ribbon-like cable connected to the back of the screen.
4. Gently disconnect the cable.
5. After a minute, reconnect the video cable, ensuring it sits securely.
6. Reattach the laptop bezel and power on your laptop to check if the white spots have disappeared.

(This process involves handling the laptop’s hardware and should be done carefully. If unsure, consider seeking professional assistance.)

Pixel Stuck

Each pixel on a laptop screen comprises three sub-pixels (red, blue, and green) that combine to show the complete spectrum of colors.

A pixel can get “stuck” when one or more of these sub-pixels do not change color as they should.

The persistent illumination of one or more of these sub-pixels appears as a constant white or colored spot on the screen.

Free software tools like JScreenFix, PixelHealer, or Dead Pixel Buddy can help fix stuck pixels.

These tools work by rapidly changing the color display of pixels, effectively “jolting” the stuck pixel back to normal operation.

Remember to follow the specific instructions provided with each software tool for best results.

Use Pressure Application

Applying pressure can help to stimulate the liquid inside a stuck pixel on an LCD screen, which can unstick the pixel.

Note that this method may not be very effective for more advanced replacements to LCD screens, such as LED or OLED displays.

Always remember to be gentle in applying pressure to avoid worsening the damage.

1. Power off the laptop and disconnect it from the power source.
2. Find a pen cap or something similar with a narrow, blunt edge. Wrap it in a microfiber cloth to prevent scratching the screen.
3. Gently apply pressure with the wrapped cap directly on the white spot. Take care not to press too hard to avoid causing further damage.
4. While maintaining pressure, power on the laptop. The pressure should be applied a few more minutes after starting the laptop.
5. Remove the pressure and check if the white spot has disappeared.

Thermal Fixing Technique

The idea behind thermal fixing is that the heat can help to stimulate and “unstick” a pixel, similar to the pressure application method.

The heat essentially warms up the liquid inside the stuck pixel, which can enable the pixel to function normally again.

This can eliminate the appearance of a white spot. Be cautious and do not use a heat source that is too hot, as this may cause further damage to the screen.

1. Find a mild heat source, such as a heat pack or cloth soaked in warm water. Important: The heat source should be warm, not hot.
2. Power off the laptop and disconnect it from the power source.
3. Apply the heat source directly to the area of the screen with the white spots for several minutes.
4. Carefully remove the heat source and power the laptop back on to check if the white spots have disappeared.

Replace the Screen

Ideally, you’d want to replace the screen when all other methods to remove white spots have proved futile. Furthermore, a screen replacement is recommended if your screen has multiple white spots, displays significant discoloration, or shows major physical damage.

1. Power off your laptop, unplug the power source and remove the battery if possible.
2. Remove the screen bezel. In most laptops, you’ll have to remove screws that are covered by rubber screw covers.
3. After removing the bezel, identify the screen panel’s screws. Remove them carefully to detach the panel from your laptop’s lid.
4. Once detached, lean the screen forward to expose the cable connector at the back. It’s usually held in place by a strip of tape. Carefully remove the tape and unplug the cable.
5. Order a new screen that is compatible with your laptop model.
6. To install the new screen, reverse the steps to remove the old one.

Do note that replacing a screen can be costly and time-consuming. Weigh the cost of a new screen and potential labor costs against the price of a new laptop to decide whether screen replacement is the best solution.