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Today I show how to replace cracked LCD screen on Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop. The procedure is very similar to replacing LCD screen on many other Dell laptops and takes about 30 minutes.
Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop uses two different types of LCD screens:
1. Old style LCD screen with CCFL backlight.
2. Newer style LCD screen with LED backlight.
In my case I’m replacing LCD screen with LED backlight.
Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed.
STEP 1.
The screen bezel has six rubber screw covers.
Remove all covers with a sharp object.
Glue these covers somewhere on the screen bezel so they don’t get lost.
Remove all six screws found under those covers.
STEP 2.
Insert your fingers between the bezel and screen and start separating the bezel.
The screen bezel secured by hidden latches. You’ll have to wiggle the bezel in order to disengage those latches.
STEP 3.
Continue separating the bezel on the top of the display assembly.
STEP 4.
The bottom part of the bezel could be glued to the LCD screen with sticky tape.
In this case insert a piece of soft plastic (I’m using a guitar pick) between the bezel and LCD screen and carefully move it along the side.
STEP 5.
The LCD screen bezel has been removed.
STEP 6.
Remove two screws securing LCD screen to the display cover.
STEP 7.
Separate LCD screen from the display cover and place it face down on the keyboard.
STEP 8.
Now you can access the video cable connector on the back of the screen.
Laptops with LED backlit LCD screens have no inverter board. There is only one cable plugged into the screen as it shown on the following picture.
If you are working on a laptop with CCFL backlit LCD screen, you’ll have to disconnect video cable from the LCD screen and inverter board which is located on the bottom of the screen.
STEP 9.
Remove sticky tape securing the connection.
Unplug video cable from the LCD screen.
STEP 10.
Now you can remove the LCD screen and replace it with a new one.
New replacement LCD screens for Dell Inspiron 1545 laptops available here.
You can search by the LCD screen model number which is printed on the screen label. In my case I had this screen: LP156WH2 (TL)(A1).
Remember, there are two different types of screens used in this model: LCD screen with CCFL backlight (older type) and LCD screen with LED backlight (newer type).
CCFL backlit LCD screen have a short cable sticking out of the lower right corner – this is backlight lamp cable.
LED backlight LCD screens do not have this cable.
Make sure to buy the correct screen.
STEP 11.
The final step would be moving LCD screen mounting brackets to the new screen.
Remove three screws on one side of the screen and transfer the bracket to the new screen. Do the same on the other side.
In one of previous guides I explain how to replace Dell Inspiron 1545 keyboard.
October 27th, 2011 at 7:16 am
[...] In one of the next guides I explain how to replace LCD screen on Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop. [...]
November 1st, 2011 at 4:06 am
Thank You Very Much.
I have replace my screen and cable on my Dell Inspiron 1545.
It now won’t start. I followed every instruction and video as well
as talked to a very knowledgeable friend. I’ve been searching
with fingers crossed for a simple overlooked answer.
What I’ve gotten down to is people referring to this model as
“Kraptops” lol
I’d Love any advice!
Sincerely,
Jeff B.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:29 am
@ Jeff,
It’s not very clear. The laptop doesn’t turn on at all or the new screen not working?
Make sure the video cable connector plugged correctly. Try reseating it.
November 8th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
It is possible to replace a screen on the Dell 1545, just not the backlight which almost always breaks with the screen. The backlight for the LED LCD screen on the Dell 1545 is fused directly into the motherboard, which is why when you replace the screen it appears to not be working… it is… you just can’t see anything due to the blown backlight which cannot be replaced without replacing the entire motherboard. This happened to me, and after a million tries with different screens, I finally came across a knowledgeable computer guy who explained the problem with this particular laptop.
November 8th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@ sarah,
What???? How the backlight could be located on the motherboard?
Backlight – back light – light on the back of the screen.
In LED LCD (newer) screens the backlight generated by Light-emitting diodes (LED) located inside the screen.
In CCFL LCD (older) screens the backlight generated by Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) also located inside the screen.
LEDs controlled by power coming directly from the motherboard. If something is fried on the motherboard and it’s not supplying power to the screen, it will not light up.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:14 am
Is there a way to distinguish between the two different types of displays without opening it?
November 14th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@ bernd,
Go to the drivers and downloads page for your laptop. You’ll have to enter the service tag number to get to the correct page.
On the left sidebar find “warranty status” and click on it.
On the warranty status page search for the “Original System Configuration” tab and click on it.
On this page you’ll see all parts used in your laptop. Search for the LCD screen part number and google it. You’ll find the description somewhere. It should say if your screen is LED or CCFL backlit.
November 14th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@ bernd,
Here’s another way that I use most of the time.
Carefully separate the screen bezel from the screen and look inside. If you see the inverter board, it’s a CCFL backlit LCD screen.
If there is no inverter, it’s an LED backlit LCD screen.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:33 am
Thanks for the reply!
I simply removed the screen bezel. Quite easy. And there it was: the inverter board!
November 21st, 2011 at 5:00 am
Hi,
Is it possible to replace the only the backlight?
My notebook started turning off the screen from time to time. I discovered that if I just change the screen resolution with the help of a flashlight, the screen turn on again. I’ve been doing that for a month or two, but the problem is now more frequent. I woult like to replace only the backlight.
Paulo
November 24th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@ Paulo,
It’s possible but not easy.
Here’s an example or replacing the backlight lamp in a regular CCFL-backlit LCD screen.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/09/replace-laptop-backlight-ccfl-lamp/
If you have a problem with the LED-backlit LCD screen, you’ll have to replace the screen.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:00 am
I have a dell inspiron 1545 with an integrated webcam that was working and now it isn’t. How do i go about replacing it. Do you have any instructional guides that could assist me. Thanks
December 6th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@ sharon,
Are you sure this is hardware related problem? Maybe there is something wrong with the software?
The webcam is a separate module. You can easily access the webcam when the screen bezel removed. It’s shown in my guide.
December 21st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
One very helpful post you have here! My son broke my laptop screen and ‘m really pissed off! But with this DIY tips, I can fix my unit without bringing it to the repairman (I’m actually planning to buy a new one before). Thanks again!
December 26th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
I did exactly this with my inspiron 1545 and when I started it up I could barely see the windows logo very darkly. That’s about all I got. Now it’s just a black screen. The old cracked screen would at least light up when it was on. I reinstalled the old one and now it is black when it is on too. The computer works just fine while hooked up to my T.V. as a monitor. Anybody have any ideas??
December 27th, 2011 at 10:29 am
@ Benhamin,
Your new screen, was it a compatible screen for Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop?
December 27th, 2011 at 11:04 am
Yes. I contacted the company I bought it from and they said that it is compatible. They belive the problem is the new screen and told me to return it for a new one, but it seems if that were the case my old one would at least light up when I put it back in. I’m still going to send it back for another one, but I’m not really expecting that to do anything. Any ideas on what else it could be?
December 27th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@ Benjamin,
I asked about screen compatibility because an incompatible screen could fry the motherboard.
Have you checked connection between the video cable and motherboard? Maybe you accidentally pulled the video cable and now the connection is bad.
Is it a regular LCD screen with CCFL backlight or newer LED-backlit screen?
December 27th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
The motherboard should be fine or else it wouldn’t work when it is connected to my T.V. as a monitor. I checked the connection and it seemed fine. It is a LED screen.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:56 am
@ Benjamin,
Not necessarily. It’s possible the component responsible for LCD light is fright but the rest of the motherboard is fine. I hope it’s not the case with your motherboard.
I guess you’ll have to wait for the new screen and see if it makes any difference.
December 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
How would I know if that is the case? Is there a way to test it?
December 28th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@ Benhamin,
There is not much you can do besides testing the laptop with a known good compatible LCD screen and video cable.
May 18th, 2012 at 2:54 am
Brilliant! Your detailed instrcutions and clear photographs made this task very easy. I know where I’ll come to next time I have a problem I need fixing.
August 11th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Can i replace my ccfl lcd by led by buying both cable(led connector) and led screen?
I am wondering whether led and ccfl have same connector from GPU.
August 11th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@ ultiracer,
I could be wrong but I don’t think you can do that.
August 18th, 2012 at 8:19 am
Thanks
The bezel removal instructions helped me safely remove the bezel. with the bezel removed i was able to tighten the 2 lower screws that secure the display and the 2 screws that secure the lid to the hinges and no i nolonger have a floppy screeen when i open my laptop.
August 30th, 2012 at 11:40 am
I have the CFFL one but I bought a new one with the cord at the bottom can I still use it without the cord at the bottom?
September 3rd, 2012 at 8:15 am
@ trina,
Did you buy a LED backlit screen instead of CCFL backlit screen? No, you cannot use this screen. You’ll have to buy the correct one.