Symptoms
- Power light is on but screen shows nothing
- Fan noise or keyboard backlight active
- Screen was fine until closing and reopening the lid
- External monitor shows picture but built-in screen doesn't
Likely causes
- CommonDisplay woke incorrectly from sleepA glitch when waking from sleep can leave the panel dark while the system runs.
- CommonBrightness accidentally turned all the way downThis is an easy thing to miss since the keys can be pressed accidentally in a bag.
- PossibleLoose internal display cableA jarred connector after a drop can cause an intermittent black screen.
- Less commonFailed backlight or screen panelHardware failure can cause total picture loss even though the system runs.
What to do
- Press the brightness-up key several times in case it's simply turned all the way down.
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then power back on.
- Try the refresh + power key combo for a hardware reset if the standard restart doesn't help.
- Connect an external monitor if possible; if that works, the issue is isolated to the built-in screen or its cable.
- Gently wiggle the lid hinge while the device is on (carefully) to see if the picture flickers, which suggests a loose cable.
- If nothing restores the picture, the screen or its cable likely needs professional replacement.
Tools and parts
- External monitor with compatible cable (optional, for testing)
Chromebook LCD screen replacementSearch: “Chromebook screen replacement [model]”
When to call a pro
If an external monitor works but the built-in screen doesn't, a technician can check the display cable or replace the panel.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.