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In this guide I explain how to remove and replace the LCD screen or inverter board in a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. Most likely this guide will work for many other Dell laptops. If it works for you, please mention the model number in comments after this post.
In order to remove the LCD screen and inverter board we’ll have to take apart the display assembly. Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed.
STEP 1.
There are six rubber screw covers on the screen bezel.
Remove all covers with a sharp object. You can blue covers on the screen bezel so they don’t get lost.
Now remove all six screws found under those covers.
STEP 2.
Start separating the screen bezel from the display cover. You may use a piece of plastic as case cracker.
Insert fingers under the bezel and carefully wiggle the bezel until it separates from the cover.
STEP 3.
Continue removing bezel on the top.
STEP 4.
On the bottom the bezel could be glued to the LCD screen with double sticky tape.
Carefully separate bezel from the screen.
STEP 5.
The screen bezel has been removed.
STEP 6.
Remove two screws securing the LCD screen assembly to the display hinges.
STEP 7.
Carefully separate the LCD screen assembly from the display cover and place it face down on the keyboard.
STEP 8.
Now you can access the back side of the LCD screen.
The inverter board mounted into the bracket on the LCD screen.
STEP 9.
Disconnect video cable from the LCD screen.
STEP 10.
Disconnect another video cable connector from the inverter board.
STEP 11.
The LCD screen assembly has been removed.
There are two mounting brackets on both side of the screen and inverter board on the bottom.
STEP 12.
Remove one screw securing the inverter board to the bracket.
STEP 13.
Turn the LCD screen assembly over and disconnect the backlight cable from the left side of the inverter.
STEP 14.
Now you can remove the inverter board and replace it with a new one if needed.
Here you can find new replacement inverters for Dell Inspiron 1525 laptops.
The best way to search for a replacement screen would be using Dell part number (0D196j in my case) or LCD model number (LP154W01 (TL)(F2) in my case).
If you are replacing just the screen, I would recommend buying exactly the same screen. When you use a compatible screen, you may run into a problem with screen brightness, it might non work properly.
If you want to use a compatible screen, I would suggest finding one with the inverter board attached.
Here you’ll find wide selection of replacement screens for Dell Inspiron 1525 laptops.
STEP 15.
After the LCD screen has been removed, you can remove left and right mounting brackets and transfer them to the new screen.
In order to remove the bracket, simply remove four screws on the side.
In one of my previous posts I explain how to replaced damaged keyboard on Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@ Marty,
Install the new LCD screen and glue the inverter under the screen with double sticky tape. It should be enough to secure the inverter. I’ve done it myself before a few times.
January 2nd, 2012 at 9:23 am
I ordered a replacement LCD Screen for my Dell 1525 Lap Top and when i got it there is no bracket on the new one at teh bottom that should hold the inverter and the old onew won’t fit on the new one also there is no top brackets where i need to screw into the lid to hold it in place. What do I do?? Thanks and great site…
December 23rd, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@ lenovo y510,
How hot is it? If you touch the inverter area with the back of your fingers and it’s comfortably warm, probably it’s OK.
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@ Patti,
Unfortunately it’s hard to troubleshoot backlight issues without spare parts.
I cannot if you backlight issue is related to the motherboard failure. The only way to find out is testing the laptop with another screen.
If you decide to buy a new replacement screen, make sure it comes with the inverter. In Dell laptops it’s important to match the inverter with the screen. If they do not match, the brightness will work but not properly.
This could be:
1. Bad inverter (which you already replaced.
2. Bad backlight lamp inside the screen.
3. Bad video cable.
4. Bad connection between the video cable and motherboard.
5. Motherboard failure.
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:23 am
Hi,
when screen brightness is lowered (30%) the inverter area is less warm than 100% brightness… is this normal….. i think i am unnecessarily paranoid…. i think its normal// what say?
December 17th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Thank you for answering my questions in post #49.
I was able to buy an identical inverter board, unfortunately it did not repair the almost black screen (I can seen a faint image if I hold a bright light up to it, and sometimes when I connect the external monitor, the laptop display comes on but only for a few seconds). Also with the “new” inverter, when Windows loads, the screen – for a moment – looks almost green, which is a first.
I’ve been connected to an external monitor without problems but I really want to make the laptop whole again since the external monitor is only good at home.
Before I spend $100 on a “new” screen (the only ones I’m finding are used) is there anyone for me to be sure that the issue isn’t with motherboard – my concern is that the screen problem is the start of the motherboard going south- is that possible?
I have minor issues with the laptop (the battery no longer fully charges, so I stick to the AC adapter) and I want to replace the keyboard mostly for cosmetic reasons, but it works. Otherwise, the laptop works fine (except for the black screen).
Could the screen being almost black have something to do with another part other than the back light?
And this may be an idiotic (!?) question but does the video card have anything to do with this type of problem or is it that once the screen losses brightness, the problem can usually be narrowed down to either the inverter and/or the backlight.
Thanks again – I really appreciate it – Patti
December 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@ Patti,
The inverter board secured in the metal bracket attached to the bottom of the screen. It will be hard to remove the inverter without disconnecting the video cable but possible. Depends on your tech skills.
Before you remove the old inverter, I would suggest testing the “new” inverter. Simply disconnected the old one, plug in the new one and see if the problem fixed. If not, most likely this is backlight failure. If that’s the case, you’ll have to replace the screen.
Yes, I would do it to make sure the cable is secure. You can use regular sticky tape.
December 14th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@ John Richards,
Cannot tell without trying. It looks like both laptops have 15.4″ screens. If both screens have the same resolution it might work.
When you transfer the screen, make sure to transfer it with the inverter.
Connectors for the video cable should be the same on both screens.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:05 am
Like others, the screen on my 1525 went almost completely black – the only way to see the screen is to shine a very bright light on it (and even doing that, it’s almost impossible to see the image, but it’s there and there are moments when I can see the laptop screen when connecting an external monitor. It’s a bit maddening because it looks as if the laptop screen is going to stay lit, but then it goes out.)
I’m waiting for the “new” inverter board (can only find a used one).
Decided to do a dry run dissembling the screen so that I have a better hands on idea of what this involves (and for deciding whether or not I’m completely up to the task).
To clarify a couple of things……
In addition to the connections being in place, both the video cable and the inverter board are FIRMLY taped down – I almost hesitate to pull the tape off especially on the video cable connection to the screen because I’m concerned about damaging other components. Less concern with the inverter board because the tape is across the bad inverter and the frame.
Is it possible to replace the inverter board without removing the video cable from the screen and if not do you have any suggests – besides being very careful! – for removing the tape from the video cable connection to the screen?
Also is it necessary to re-tape the video cable and the “new” inverter after replacing the inverter?
Thanks for your help.
December 13th, 2011 at 1:56 am
Hi I need some advice… i have a dell inspiron 1300 with 3 colour lines down the screen which is annoying… i also have a dell inspiron 1501 with a dead motherboard( screen was ok)… can i use the screen from the 1501 in the 1300? will the inverter and connections be the same? also will the main computer processor work in the 1300 also…im trying to salvage all the good bits into one computer..
thanks