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In this guide I’ll be removing the LCD screen and inverter board from a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop. You can use same set of instructions for a Dell Inspiron E1705 and probably some other Dell laptops. If my guide works for you, please mention the laptop model in the comments below.
Need a new LCD screen for your Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop? Find it here for less than $100.
Like in most other laptops, in this model the LCD screen is mounted between the display cover and front bezel. You’ll find eight screw seals on the front bezel. Six rubber seals (red circles) and two plastic seals (green circles).
Remove rubber seals using a sharp object. Glue these seals somewhere on the front bezel so they don’t get lost.
Remove two plastic seals using the same tool. Also, glue them somewhere on the front bezel.
Remove all eight screws found under the seals.
When all screws are removed you can start separating the front bezel from the display cover. Use your fingers and a piece of soft plastic. In this guide I’m using a guitar pick.
Continue separating the front bezel.
The front bezel has been removed.
There are screws securing the LCD screen to the hinge bracket. You’ll find four screws on each side.
Remove four screw on one side of the display panel.
And after that remove four screws on the other side of the panel.
Now you can separate the LCD screen assembly from the cover.
Be careful, there is a video cable connecting the LCD screen and inverter board to the motherboard.
Place the LCD screen on the palm rest so you can access the video cable and unplug it from the LCD screen and inverter.
Press on latches on both sides of the video cable connector and pull it from the LCD screen.
Unplug the other end of the video cable from the inverter board.
Now you can remove the LCD screen and inverter board. As you see, the inverter board is attached to the LCD screen frame. It’s very common setup for Dell laptops.
The inverter board is mounted inside the metal casing which is a part of the LCD screen frame.
Remove one screw securing the inverter board and turn the LCD screen upside down.
Unplug the backlight cable from the inverter board.
Carefully remove the inverter board from the metal casing and replace it with a new one if needed. You can buy a new inverter board here for about $15-20.
When you buy a new LCD screen for your Dell laptop, it might come with the inverter board already attached to it. It’s very common. If that’s the case, you don’t have to remove the old inverter.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I can’t get the video cable connector back in at the top. it seems like the top piece has come loose.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Dell Inspiron 1525:
I didn’t need to replace the screen, but the hinge on the lower right side of my screen had come unattached and I needed to fix it.
Using a guitar pick was perfect.
There are only 6 screws holding the Dell Inspiron 1525 front bezel.
Thanks!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Thank you for these useful instructions.
Can you clarify how to remove the inverter board from the metal casing? Do you need to remove the casing from the screen first?
Tkx
August 20th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Thanks for the step by step breakdown instructions. Realy worked well. I had to change the inverter board of my samsung replacement screen by taking the inverter from my old philips screen this did require a little work but worth it never the less considering that dell would have charged $500.00 for replacing thr lcd and inverter board.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
[...] Remove and replace the LCD assembly. Take a look at this guide for the LCD screen removal instructions. [...]
September 16th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
[...] Here’s an example of removing the LCD screen from a Dell display panel. [...]
October 11th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Thank you I just replaced my Dell Inspiron XPS screen with a Dell Inspiron 9400 works great. I just re-used my old inverter and ,back in business. Cheers, keep up the good work, sites like this one gives an old plumber the courage to dive right in..
October 15th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I purchased a new screen to replace my broken one. I’m using the same inverter and plugged everything in where it needed to go but the screen doesn’t go on when I start up my computer. It looks like it lights up but nothing actually come up on the screen. Also I tried plugging the old screen in to see if it was the screen I bought and that no longer works at all either.
Is there anything else that could be the problem because I didn’t think I would have to replace the inverter board but I may be wrong.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Thank you for your tutorial on line that showed me how to change out the display. Had I now found it I would not have attempted the swap. The job took me about one hour to complete and my new display works like a champ. A tip to put on your site: Put then end of the small screwdriver in a stick of lip ice and the small screws will stick to the screwdriver with no problem.
I donated $10.00 to your site.
Thanks again
December 6th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I just replaced my Dell 1705 WXGAt (matte finish) LCD screen, with your tutorial. The screen appears to be a glossy finish although I ordered the Matte finish. It works but the screen is dark and when I try to brighten the screen with FN button and then tried BIOS it only brightens a little and if I keep pressing the button to be brighter it goes darker. Could it be that I plugged the backlight cable into the inverter backwards or do I just have an inferior screen. Can you please offer a suggestion. thank You
December 7th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hi
similar Problem to Neal. Screen works fine but right hand corner of front bezel is loose thus cannot close laptop or may break. Told the lining under the bezel has been damaged.
What is the best fix?
Being told I need to change entire screen but cant I just change the bezel? I see I can get he bezel only. I assume it comes with screws. as you can see I am a neophyte but determined to figure this out. Any help would be great
January 11th, 2010 at 7:42 am
Hi,
I also have the same problem as JOE and JIM.
I replaced my dell WUXGA with WXGA (sharp to LG ) and I used my original inverter board. The screen works normal while its booting but it has same issue like JIM has. It is brightest at lvl 5 out of 8….
Also it works only while it boots and in safe mode–in safe mode it loads standard VGA drivers. If it loads full Nvidia drivers for my go7900gs it looks its on but doesn’t show anything. I tired extending it onto my TV and it works fine on TV but nothing on LCD screen.
it seems that graphic drivers or graphic bios is blocking the new screen. I also read somewhere that all manufacturers block screens that are not for their line of laptops through bios but i cannot confirm it.
Can anyone help please.
thx in advance
February 1st, 2010 at 11:48 am
This was an excellent help to me, I was able to follow instructions step by step, very good illustrations and had absolutely no problems replacing LCD screen on my Inspiron 9200. Please note that not all replacement screens have the inverter attached and it is not neccessary to attach inverter to screen. Thanks again for you r help.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:31 am
hi it was nice to see you step by step guide but my laptop’s left side holder is broken it is the plastic part i tried to attach it by using some metalic and plastic glue but it seemed it was affecting the other one (right) is there any option other than repalcing the frame if it the ony option how? laptop of type dell inspiron 1520
February 9th, 2010 at 11:26 am
hamudi,
I think that replacing the broken part is the only option now.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
The photos and the step by step instructions are great. I didn’t have to replace the display; for me it was the back panel and hinge. The guitar pick tip saved me — Thanks.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I have the same problem than JIM. I’ve replaced my dell 9400 WUXGA screen (without the inverter) and it the brightness was very low (I hardly can see the screen when booting neither when windows is started). I’ve tested the old screen and it seems that the inverter works properly. Any clue?
Thanks in advance
June 14th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I can’t get the damn screw loose that is attaching the inverter board to the screen. Any tips for loosening a non-budging screw?? I don’t want to break anything. AARRRRGGHH!
July 19th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Thanks for your detailed instruction. It helps me a lot in fixing my friend’s Inspiron 9200 LCD screen.
Toronto,Ontario, Canada
July 29th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Good instructions, but after unscrewing the 3 screws which hold the hinges, I could lift the whole screen off. The trouble is, the hinges latched in such a position that the screen would be vertical.
How can I unlatch the hinge? Picture on request
August 30th, 2010 at 8:28 am
works for Inspiron 9300
August 31st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
For those who are having brightness issues following a panel upgrade (or downgrade): It’s more then likely the inverter. It’s the inverters job to make sure that there is enough voltage and amperage to drive the display, and the CCL backlight. For this reason, the inverter is MATCHED to the display. If your still using the same inverter, chances are good that it is either under-powering (or over-powering) the display. Install a new inverter which is recommended for your specific display. Also, as a note, if you want to upgrade your display, be sure to stay within the display offering for your specific model and mfg year. For instance, I upgraded my Inspiron 9400 from a WXGA+ to a WUXGA without any issues. I just made sure to replace my display with one that was offered for that model and year. I also made sure I replaced the inverter with one that was matched for that specific display. Looks and works great!!