Backlight bleed warranty
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Document specific defect locations.
Monitor Test Results Database
8.3%
Average backlight variation (premium monitors)
Sample: 15,847 monitors >$300
16.7%
Average backlight variation (budget monitors)
Sample: 22,193 monitors <$200
23%
Monitors with excessive corner glow
Sample: 38,040 total tests
Acceptable Bleed Levels by Monitor Price Range
Quality Expectations by Price Tier
| Price Range | Acceptable Variation | Corner Glow Limit | Return Threshold | Typical Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget ($100-200) | 15-25% | Moderate acceptable | >30% variation | Edge bleeding, hot spots |
| Mid-Range ($200-500) | 8-15% | Minimal acceptable | >20% variation | Minor corner glow, edge uniformity |
| Premium ($500-1000) | 5-10% | Very minimal | >15% variation | High standards expected |
| Professional ($1000+) | 2-5% | Nearly imperceptible | >8% variation | Factory calibration, tight tolerances |
Panel Type Considerations
IPS Panels
Natural glow in corners is normal
Focus on edge bleeding as defect indicator
VA Panels
Less glow but more prone to uniformity issues
Watch for clouding and gradient problems
TN Panels
Minimal glow but poor viewing angles
Backlight bleeding more obvious
Return Policies by Retailer & Success Rates
Amazon
94% Success RateReturn Window: 30 days no questions asked
Backlight Policy: "Does not match description" covers backlight issues
Documentation: Photos helpful but not required
Shipping: Free return shipping for defects
Notable: Most lenient policy, rarely disputes backlight returns
Newegg
76% Success RateReturn Window: 30 days with restocking fee
Backlight Policy: Must demonstrate "excessive" bleeding
Documentation: Test results and photos required
Shipping: Customer pays return shipping unless DOA
Notable: More strict, benefits from our test documentation
Best Buy
83% Success RateReturn Window: 15-30 days (membership dependent)
Backlight Policy: In-store assessment by Geek Squad
Documentation: Demonstration to staff required
Shipping: Free returns to store
Notable: Staff training varies, documentation helps
Direct Manufacturer
Variable (45-87%)Return Window: 14-30 days varies by brand
Backlight Policy: Strict adherence to warranty terms
Documentation: Detailed test results essential
Shipping: Often customer responsibility
Notable: Brand loyalty programs may help
Maximizing Return Success
Understanding the Panel Lottery
Manufacturing Reality
Even identical monitor models can have significant quality variations due to:
- Panel binning: Higher quality panels go to premium models
- Assembly tolerances: Slight pressure differences affect uniformity
- Component variation: LED binning and diffuser quality varies
- Quality control: Different standards between price tiers
Statistical Quality Distribution
Excellent Units (15%)
Minimal backlight issues, professional quality
Good Units (60%)
Acceptable for price range, minor issues
Poor Units (25%)
Noticeable issues, worth returning/exchanging
Panel Lottery Strategy
Long-term Degradation Patterns
Backlight Aging Characteristics
Normal Aging Process
LED backlights naturally degrade over time:
When to Be Concerned
Immediate Issues (0-6 months):
Sudden brightness changes, new bleeding areas, flickering
Early Degradation (6 months-2 years):
Rapidly increasing uniformity issues, color shifts
Normal Aging (2+ years):
Gradual brightness reduction, minor uniformity changes
Warranty Claim Timeline
Rapidly developing backlight issues within 2 years often indicate manufacturing defects covered by warranty.
In this article, we will explore the causes of laptop screen bleeding, its symptoms, and how to diagnose and fix the issue.
What Causes Laptop Screen Bleeding?
Laptop screen bleeding can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Manufacturing Defects
One of the most common causes of laptop screen bleeding is manufacturing defects.
Always check your warranty terms and contact customer support if the bleed is severe.
NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China personal computer customers.
You can also try adjusting the brightness and contrast settings on your laptop to see if it makes a difference.
If you notice any light bleeding around the edges of the screen, try to determine the severity of the issue. It can also be a sign of wear and tear on the laptop’s display over time. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
Uneven Lighting
One of the most noticeable symptoms of laptop screen bleeding is uneven lighting.
However, if the bleeding is severe or affects your ability to use the laptop, it’s worth seeking repair or replacement options.
Can screen bleeding be prevented?
While it’s not possible to completely prevent screen bleeding, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of it occurring. This is usually done under warranty or by a professional repair service, since backlight bleed cannot be corrected with software or simple adjustments.
Check our or other screen tests
BacklightBleedTest.org and its affiliate websites offer you other screen tests to make sure your display works well.
If the bleeding is minor and only noticeable in certain situations, you might not need to take any action.
Troubleshooting Light Leakage or Light Bleeding on a Dell Monitor
More information and support for your Dell monitor, desktop, laptop, or tablet screen can be found on our Monitor Support site.
Out of warranty?
This test also checks for motion blur, which is when moving objects on your screen look blurry.
Affected Products
Alienware and Dell Gaming Monitors, C Series, D Series, E Series, Legacy Monitors, P Series, S Series, SE Series, UltraSharp Premier (UP) Series, UltraSharp (U) SeriesBacklight Bleed Testing: IPS Glow vs Defects
Backlight bleed affects 41% of LCD monitors, with consumers often unable to distinguish between normal IPS glow and warranty-eligible defects.
Launch our backlight bleed test 🚀
Our backlight bleed test will open in a new window and display solid colors, especially black. Testing is completely free! If the backlight isn’t perfectly contained, some light can escape around the edges or corners of the display.
Backlight bleed usually looks like:
- Glowing corners or edges on a dark screen
- Uneven lighting patches visible during movies, games, or dark backgrounds
- A bright haze in low-light scenes
For more information, check out our article on what black light bleed is.
📷 Example of backlight bleed on an LCD screen
What causes backlight bleed?
Backlight bleed is due to the backlight panel at the back of your LCD screen being misaligned with the colouring panel (the liquid crystals).
However, if the bleeding is more pronounced or affects your ability to use the laptop, you may need to consider repair or replacement options.
Can screen bleeding be fixed?
In some cases, screen bleeding can be fixed by adjusting the laptop’s display settings or updating the graphics drivers. No problem.
Continue normal usage.
⚠️ Minor IPS Glow (5-15% corner variation)
Visual Impact: Slight glow in corners when viewed at angle, normal for IPS
Recommendation: Normal IPS characteristic. This can be especially noticeable in low-light environments or when viewing dark content.
Decreased Image Quality
Laptop screen bleeding can also decrease the overall image quality of the screen.
Use our professional diagnostic to make informed decisions about returns and warranty claims.
Start Backlight TestMore Testing Guides
Laptop screen bleeding, also known as backlight bleeding or light leakage, is a common issue that can affect the overall viewing experience of your laptop. This can be a costly option, but it may be necessary if the issue is affecting the overall usability of the laptop.
In conclusion, laptop screen bleeding is a common issue that can affect the overall viewing experience of your laptop.
If the screen bleeding is caused by a manufacturing defect, it’s likely to be covered under warranty. Defect Classification
Categorizes issues by severity and provides warranty eligibility assessment.
Test Your Monitor Now
Run our comprehensive backlight diagnostic in under 5 minutes.
DeadPixelTest.org also provides a dead pixel fixer that might help you revive your bad pixels.
Dead Pixel TestDead Pixel FixFrame Rate and Motion Blur Test
FrameRateTest.org helps you see your screen's refresh rate, which is how many times per second the image is updated.