A laptop screen shadow refers to a faint, dark area on your screen that remains visible even when you change what's displayed. It can appear as a blurry ghost image, a persistent dark patch, or an uneven brightness issue. This problem can affect both LED and LCD screens, and in many cases, it worsens over time.
There are several possible causes of screen shadowing, including:
Happens when a static image is left on the screen for too long.
More common in OLED and older LCD displays.
Temporary or permanent ghosting may occur.
Occurs when light from the screen's backlight escapes unevenly.
Common in cheaper LCD panels with edge-lit displays.
Usually noticeable in dark environments.
Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause display anomalies.
Shadowing may appear alongside flickering or color distortions.
Fixable by updating or reinstalling drivers.
Accidental drops or excessive pressure on the screen can cause dark patches.
Typically permanent and requires professional repair.
A loose or damaged display cable can cause ghosting or shadowing.
Common in laptops that have been opened or repaired.
Can be fixed by reseating or replacing the display cable.
A lower refresh rate or an overworked GPU can create motion ghosting.
May improve by adjusting settings in the GPU control panel.
Open a full-screen white and black image to check if the shadow is visible on different backgrounds.
If it disappears in some colors, it could be a software issue.
Connect your laptop to an external monitor.
If the shadow appears only on your laptop screen, it's likely a hardware issue.
If it appears on both screens, it's probably a GPU or software-related problem.
Go to Device Manager > Display Adapters.
Right-click your graphics card and select Update Driver.
Restart your laptop after installation.
Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings.
Increase refresh rate if possible.
Reduce brightness and contrast to see if the shadow fades.
Inspect your screen under good lighting for any cracks or pressure marks.
If the shadow is caused by impact, a screen replacement might be necessary.
To make troubleshooting even easier, we’ve created an interactive laptop screen shadow diagnostic tool. Simply answer a few questions, and it will guide you toward the best fix for your issue.
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