Often when we talk about our dark side...
We mean the part of ourselves that we don’t want to show.
If you’re reading this article, chances are that…
Your TV has shown you its dark side.
Darker, to be precise, as only half of your TV’s screen looks like that.
You probably know it’s not easy to deal with the dark side of humans.
But what about TVs? Is there hope for yours?
Keep reading to discover:
- 7 steps to fix an LG TV’s screen that’s darker on one side.
- What a ribbon cable is and how it affects half of your display.
- Where you can contact LG for support in case of screen issues.
- An in-depth guide on how to replace your backlights when they’re making your TV darker.
- And so much more…
Why is half of my LG TV screen dark?
Half of your LG TV screen is dark because of a loose or broken ribbon cable. It could also be due to a faulty T-Con board since it controls your TV’s display. Lastly, a dead backlight can also make one part of your TV dimmer than the rest.
LG TV half screen darker: 7 steps
Step #1: Power cycle your TV
The first step to repairing always is to power cycle your device.
A power cycle can get rid of any residual charge on your TV.
Not only that, but it ensures a complete reboot of your mainboard too.
Your TV’s mainboard controls all the processes inside your LG.
If a process gets clogged, it can cause several problems with your device, including:
- Dark screen.
- Discoloration.
- Not turning on.
And it wouldn’t even take 30 seconds for you to:
- Turn your TV off.
- Unplug it from the socket.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Turn it back on.
Does it still have one darker side?
In that case, it’s time to get your repair kit out and check your hardware.
Step #2: Safely open the back of your TV
Next, you should safely open your TV for repair.
The back of your TV houses most of its internal parts.
From here onwards, you’re going to need all of your technical know-how.
Because you’re going to be handling a lot of different circuits and components.
But, don’t worry.
I’ll guide you throughout the way. And we’ll give you in-depth instructions on how to do everything.
Starting here, from the simple opening of the back of your TV.
My first tip?
It’s good practice to always take a picture before removing or replacing a component. This is so that you always know where to put everything when assembling it back together.
And my second tip?
Invest in safety gloves.
With that in mind…
Here’s how you can open your TV:
- On a soft material, lay your TV on its back.
- Unscrew the back.
- Insert a thin non-flexible blade into the middle part of your bezels.
- Pry the TV open by carefully running the blade through the TV.
- Now that it’s separated, gently lift the back off of the device.
- Remove the remaining screws that hold the casing of some parts inside.
Step #3: Check for loose ribbon cables
Knowing that there are several hardware parts behind your TV, you might ask:
“How do they know how to communicate with each other?”
And the answer to that is ribbon cables.
A broken connection due to faulty ribbon cables can manifest in different ways. Some of which are:
- White screen.
- Discoloration.
- Lines on your display.
- One part of your TV screen is black.
Now, how does this happen?
Your TV’s display is controlled by a part called the T-Con board, which I’ll tackle more later.
The mainboard is connected to your T-Con board by 2 ribbon cables.
One for the left part of your screen, and one for the right.
When one of these two cables is loose or damaged, that part of your screen stops transmitting an image.
So, what can you do?
Reattach or replace cables
Warning: Only use your hands when handling ribbon cables. Its pins are incredibly fragile and can be damaged with even just a screwdriver.
Start by looking for loose ribbon cables.
When you find one, just simply remove it completely, then reattach it again. This should solve your problem.
But, what if you find one that’s broken?
Then, you can buy a replacement ribbon cable and just attach it to your TV.
Easy-peasy.
Check if it works
Now, with its back still removed, boot your TV up. Just be careful because you might get grounded.
Did fixing your ribbon cables get rid of your screen issues?
If not, you can proceed to step #4.
Step #4: Replace the T-Con board
Speaking of T-Con boards…
Maybe it’s time to replace yours.
The T-Con board is responsible for your TV’s display.
But due to either overheating or age, this part can get damaged.
And, once it’s broken, all you can do is replace it.
To begin, buy a replacement T-Con board. Make sure it’s compatible with your TV.
Next, you must:
- Remove the screws that hold the T-Con.
- Disconnect the ribbon cables.
- Remove the old T-Con board.
- Put the new one in its place.
Note: Not sure whether the T-Con board is the problem? Watch this short video on how to diagnose a broken T-Con:
Step #5: Open the front of your TV
Still haven’t fixed the problem yet?
Then, maybe the problem isn’t at the back of your TV…
But at the front.
Your backlight is responsible for illuminating your screen.
It consists of multiple light bulbs behind your screen.
Pretty cool, huh?
However, before you attempt to replace your backlight…
You should first know how to…
Open the front of your TV:
- Unplug all of the cables and wires at the back.
- Flip your TV.
- Tape the boards at the bottom of your TV to the screen to prevent damage.
- Release the tabs and tape at the side of your screen.
- Using suction cups, gently remove the screen.
Step #6: Fix the backlight
At this point, you should now be staring at a white cover. This is your TV’s light filter.
The filters of your TV are responsible for evenly distributing the light on your display.
But that’s not what we’re here for.
Instead, we’re looking for the source of that light.
Access the backlight
To replace the backlight, we must first make our way to it.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Using a 5-in-1 tool, remove the tabs of the filter frame.
- Remove the frame.
- Tape the light filters together, then remove them.
- Remove the clips that are holding the other white sheet below.
Once you’ve removed the white sheet, you should now be looking at your backlights.
Replace the backlight
First, buy a replacement backlight that’s compatible with your TV.
Note: Backlights for older models of LG TV are sometimes as expensive as new TVs.
Once you’ve secured a new backlight array, replacing your old ones should be easy.
Here’s what you have to do:
- Disconnect the cables at the side of the backlight strips.
- Remove the strips using a 5-in-1 tool.
- Place lines of strong double-sided tape on where the strips used to be.
- Put the replacement backlight on where the lines of tape are.
- Reconnect the cables to the backlight.
When you’re placing the replacement backlight strips, and a diode falls, it’s okay.
Just use a glue gun to paste it back to your LED strip.
Step #7: Contact LG Support
Do you still have a dark section on your screen? Darn it.
In that case, there’s still one thing you can do.
Just message LG’s support desk for further questions.
And, if you still have your warranty, you can get your TV checked out for free at their service centers.