Laptop screen has lines running across it

Symptoms

• Colored or white lines across part or all of the screen
• Lines change or disappear when the lid is opened at a different angle
• Lines appeared after the laptop was dropped, bumped, or closed on something
• Lines are constant regardless of what's on screen

Likely causes

• CommonLoose display cable at the hingeThe ribbon cable connecting the screen to the motherboard runs through the hinge and can loosen with repeated opening and closing.
• CommonPhysical pressure or impact damage to the panelClosing the lid on an object or dropping the laptop can crack an internal layer.
• PossibleFailing LCD panel from age or manufacturing defectPanels can develop lines over time even without an obvious impact.
• Less commonLoose GPU or motherboard connection (rare)On rare occasions, internal graphics hardware issues cause line artifacts.

What to do

1. Gently move the laptop lid to slightly different angles to see if the lines shift or change, which points to a cable connection issue.
2. Connect the laptop to an external monitor; if the external display is clean, the problem is isolated to the laptop's screen or its cable, not the graphics hardware.
3. Check for any recent drops, bumps, or objects that may have been on the keyboard when the lid was closed.
4. Avoid pressing on the screen itself, and keep the lid fully supported when opening and closing it.
5. If comfortable with basic laptop disassembly and the device is out of warranty, the display cable connector at the motherboard and screen can sometimes be reseated.
6. If external display is clean and lines persist regardless of lid angle, plan on a screen or cable replacement.

Tools and parts

• None (or screwdriver set for advanced reseating)

When to call a pro

If the external monitor test is clean and the lines change with lid angle, a laptop repair shop can reseat or replace the internal display cable, which is often cheaper than a full screen replacement.

Safety