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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/E1705 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.
UPDATE: in next guides I explain how to fix damaged display hinge and how to replace damaged keyboard.
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!!
September 5th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Dotnettex,
I agree.
If you are replacing the screen, I would suggest buying the exact replacement. Otherwise, you may have a problem with the screen brightness.
If you decide to go with a compatible screen, make sure it comes with inverter board installed.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
[...] You’ll find step-by-step bezel removal instructions in this display disassembly guide for Dell Inspiron E1705/9400 laptops. [...]
October 4th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
[...] in my next guides I explain how to replace LCD screen and fix damaged display [...]
November 29th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Thank you for the instructions. On my Inspiron 9400, the WXGA+ LCD has gone dark and I would like to upgrade to the WUXGA screen just as you did. But how do I know which inverter I will have to get that is compatible with the screen upgrade?
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:26 am
THANKS plus FEEDBACK
———————————–
Hi…thanks for “How to remove LCD screen and inverter from Dell Inspiron 9400″. It worked very well for me – I used it to replace a bad inverter.
Here is a piece of feedback that you might find helpful => I used your imbedded link that says, “You can buy a new inverter board here for about $15-20″. So I bought one of those.
BUT….when I installed the inverter and put the laptop together, the screen worked ok, but I found I no longer had brightness control (Fn+cursor arrows). Apparently, this inverter is one that does not support brightness control.
I thought you would like to know so you (in the procedure) could warn neophytes like me to be sure the inverter we buy supports brightness control.
Thanks again, Doug
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Doug Boyd,
It’s possible your new inverter either defective or not 100% compatible with the screen.
I believe all inverters support brightness control.
March 11th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
I’m getting ready to replace my 9400/E1705 screen. My Philips screen indicates it’s an (A4) (K6). One I’m being offered is an (A4) (K5). All else is the same. Any significance in that one digit? If I don’t find a K6 am I risking running into brightness problems as well? Can you please tell me what those letters and numbers mean?
March 12th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Dan B,
When you buy a new LCD screen for a Dell laptop, I strongly advise to buy one with the inverter board attached.
Why? The inverter board must match the LCD screen and Dell laptops are very picky.
What happens if you install not 100% compatible screen? The screen brightness will not work properly. It will never be as bright as before and there will be no way to fix it.
Again, search for a new screen with the inverter board attached to it.
It’s possible the screen part number will be different, just make sure your new screen is compatible with your model and it has same resolution.
March 17th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Well I contacted Dell about the alphanumerics and they had no idea, so I contacted Philips support, who referred me to the parts department, who referred me to the displays department, who told me they have no idea about laptop screens and don’t know who I should contact. So I went ahead and bought the screen LP171WU1(A4)(K5) [hoping it was close enough to my original (A4)(K6), with the inverter included, and assembled it a few moments ago. Well, unfortunately the screen is quite dark and the brightness control doesn’t work. When I pressed the power on, for a second the screen turned white, then became dark and continued to boot up. Could the inverter have gone bad at that second? Did it blow a fuse or flip some switch? Is there maybe a BIOS setting that needs to be changed? Or is the motherboard maybe sending a different voltage than the inverter expects, and then it shuts itself off? After I power the computer off, when I turn it on again, it flashes white again for a quick moment before getting dark. It seems to me it’s not burned out, but there is something the inverter isn’t happy with. I’m tempted to try the old inverter with the new screen, but don’t want to mess anything up permanently. Any ideas?
March 17th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Was going to try the old inverter with the new screen, but it seems they are slightly different sizes, I presume intentionally so that people like me don’t tried switching them out. So do you think (a) the used screen I bought came with a faulty inverter, (b) the K5 is just different enough from the K6 to be incompatible with my system, (c) I pinched a cable in reassembly and should maybe try changing that out with the one that came with the new screen, (d) graphic card settings or BIOS need adjustment, or (e) something else? Not sure what to try next. Recommendations?
March 17th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Tried swapping cables. No difference. When I ran Dell Diagnostics, it indicated an error code 0322 “error accessing the LCD inverter.” Interestingly though, once it’s past that point, the screen becomes bright for the remainder of the diagnostics. The keyboard brightness controls still don’t work at that point. After the diagnostics it prompts you to reboot. At that point it’s back to dark again. Since the screen evidently can get bright, that should indicate there’s no burned out bulb and that the inverter works right? Does that point to a compatibility issue rather than a bad inverter? Or some Video BIOS setting perhaps?
March 18th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Dan B,
Sounds like hardware failure but I cannot tell if this is bad inverter or backlight lamp failure.
If you purchased a combo (LCD + inverter) and this combo was designed for your laptop, it should work.
You said it’s flashing for a moment on startup and then goes black. I think you received a defective part.
It’s hard (if not impossible) to troubleshoot LCD/inverter failure without known good spare parts.
March 21st, 2011 at 5:03 am
Thanks. I mailed it back and they will send a replacement. Hopefully it was just a faulty inverter. I thought it was odd though that while Dell Diagnostics is running, it starts dark until the error is found, then it brings the screen up to normal for the remainder of the diagnostics. I think that would mean the bulb is normal and that the inverter is at least capable of doing its job, though may not be responding the way it should. Frustrating. Hopefully the next one will work properly.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
As a followup, I got an altogether different LCD/inverter combo, made by Sharp, and it seems to work fine, with normal brightness control. Maybe the other inverter was faulty. Now I just have the odd finding of six “Default Monitors” in Device Manager. If I delete them, they all reappear when the system scans for hardware changes. The new display also seems to have somewhat muted colors. Maybe I’m just used to my old one or the color calibration needs to be adjusted and I haven’t found how to do that yet in XP. I’ve tried a couple different color profiles that were already installed, but they didn’t seem to make any difference.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Dan B,
Maybe you shout try uninstalling and reinstalling the video driver?
June 29th, 2011 at 9:41 am
I have a Inspiron E1705 that the Boss dropped this morning.
The laptop boots with no problem. The screen however has issues
I’m getting lines going across like static and the left hand side is green.
When I plug in an external monitor the monitor shows no problem with
the laptop and I can work. Is just the LCD screen junk?
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:10 pm
In my case I replaced a 17 ” Phillips LG WUXGA with a Samsung screen. I did not need to replace the inverter. It did get a little complicated. The Phillips screen has the inverter attached to the metal frame whereas the Samsung does not. So once I had the screen free of the laptop my approach was to prise the metal bracket holding the inverter away from the metal frame which meant forcefully separating the rivets. Don’t be timid but be careful. The metal is quite soft so it can stand being bent around a bit. Once I had the inverter off still in its bracket I used double sided tape to reattach it in the same position on the Samsung screen but you have to be careful to align the screw holes at either end of the bracket because the bezel attaches to these and holds the inverter frame in place.
July 6th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Thanks so much. Fry’s quoted me $15 for the part and a minimum of $149 to look at the Dell 6400 I have with a screen gone dark. I did my research, found a part for $7 and it took all of 20 minutes for me – a 53 year old non-computer person to do it! I am so pleased with myself and the results. thanks again and cheers to what you do to help us poor saps save a little dough!!
July 6th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Oops – forgot to say I replaced the inverter.
July 19th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
The hinge on my Dell E1505 broke and I couldn’t shut the case. I got a new lid and hinges for $19.95 from Dell, but no instructions. Thanks for your presentation on the E1705! It was close enough to show me what I needed to know and everything is now fixed.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Pics were very useful, thanks. The only thing I’d add is that getting the front bezel off can be a bit frustrating, but is much easier if you pry the bottom section away from the LCD screen, which is very easily done, and then pull down and out on the bottom right-hand corner of the bezel to get it free. Otherwise, the whole thing is pretty straight forward.
For anyone else in my situation, if your Inspiron 9400 starts to gain a coloured hue (in my case, red/pink) and then blacks out completely, your LCD screen will likely need replacing and it’s MUCH cheaper to buy a replacement screen from some hardware supplier and then putting it in yourself than buying the part from DELL themselves (if you’re out of warranty).
August 21st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Is it possible to use LCD screen from my old Laptop (Dell 9400) as a secondary display? is it possible to convert connector to DVI or HDMI?
thanks
November 18th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Dells version of this document..
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9400/en/sm/display.htm
November 28th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
My Inspiron 9300 was developing the Dell infamous vertical line problem. I had an Inspiron E1705 that was not working so I thought I’d try swapping screens. Your instructions were perfect. Only problem was the inverter was bad on the 1705 so I had to duct tape the 9300 inverter to the 1705 screen since the mounting system was different. Works great! No more lines. And now I know what the problem was with the 1705.