Fight with Samsung monitor, Part II
October 19, 2015 3:21 PM Subscribe
My Samsung monitor won't stay on for more than two seconds. Why!?
For background, read Fight With Samsung Monitor Part I.
That problem was resolved. Now I have a new one. Today, with no warning or anything being done differently, my screen turned partially dark, like the top part of it was clouded. Very soon after that, it went completely black. Now if I turn it on it comes on, although still looking partially dark, but then turns black after about a second. The blue light at the bottom indicating that it's running stays on, but the screen is completely black like it's off.
Is this bad? I think it is. Can I fix it? I fear the honest answer, but lay it on me anyway. Thanks!
For background, read Fight With Samsung Monitor Part I.
That problem was resolved. Now I have a new one. Today, with no warning or anything being done differently, my screen turned partially dark, like the top part of it was clouded. Very soon after that, it went completely black. Now if I turn it on it comes on, although still looking partially dark, but then turns black after about a second. The blue light at the bottom indicating that it's running stays on, but the screen is completely black like it's off.
Is this bad? I think it is. Can I fix it? I fear the honest answer, but lay it on me anyway. Thanks!
Sounds like either a power supply or backlight problem. I suspect that it'll require servicing. If it's outside the warranty period (which I'm guessing it is, looking at the dates on the manual), it will likely not be worth fixing, but if you can find a local electronics repair place that will give you a free quote, that's likely to be your best bet if you want to try anyway. I would not try to ship it to get it repaired.
posted by Aleyn at 4:27 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Aleyn at 4:27 PM on October 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
FWIW recently my approx 6 year old monitor started turning off about 1 second after I turn it on, every time.
It turns out the capacitors on the power supply last 5 years, give or take. After that the power supply going to provide either just barely enough power (sometimes/intermittently) or just outright not enough power, which can lead to strange intermittent problems or just complete malfunction.
If you like to experiment and solder, you can purchase replacement capacitors, take your monitor apart, and go at it (at least, I could for my model--you'd have to google for yours; maybe check Amazon & Ebay to see if capacitor kits are available). The more realistic option is just buy a new monitor. New Egg has them starting at $114; that was my solution.
posted by flug at 7:26 PM on October 19, 2015
It turns out the capacitors on the power supply last 5 years, give or take. After that the power supply going to provide either just barely enough power (sometimes/intermittently) or just outright not enough power, which can lead to strange intermittent problems or just complete malfunction.
If you like to experiment and solder, you can purchase replacement capacitors, take your monitor apart, and go at it (at least, I could for my model--you'd have to google for yours; maybe check Amazon & Ebay to see if capacitor kits are available). The more realistic option is just buy a new monitor. New Egg has them starting at $114; that was my solution.
posted by flug at 7:26 PM on October 19, 2015
This is a power supply or backlight issue. if the monitor has an external power brick, i'd try replacing that first(and not for like $25 online. Go to your local PC recyling place with the old brick and try and find a compatible one, they'll generally be happy to help you look. then go to goodwill if they don't have it)
Failing that, all the monitors around $100 here look completely legit to me. That IPS one especially will likely be a noticeable upgrade from what you had before. Even cheap monitors look VERY nice nowadays.
I used to replace backlight inverters and repair monitors for people. Now i tell them to recycle them and buy another one because parts+my time will cost as much as a brand new monitor that will likely be larger and massively outperform the old monitor. It's only worth repairing very high end monitors at this point.
posted by emptythought at 7:50 PM on October 19, 2015
Failing that, all the monitors around $100 here look completely legit to me. That IPS one especially will likely be a noticeable upgrade from what you had before. Even cheap monitors look VERY nice nowadays.
I used to replace backlight inverters and repair monitors for people. Now i tell them to recycle them and buy another one because parts+my time will cost as much as a brand new monitor that will likely be larger and massively outperform the old monitor. It's only worth repairing very high end monitors at this point.
posted by emptythought at 7:50 PM on October 19, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rhizome at 3:50 PM on October 19, 2015