Replacing Laptop Screen

[Jobos]

A teacher has brought in her laptop that has a smashed screen but although I have replaced many laptop screens before I haven't replaced one that need the mounting brackets removing from the old screen and refitting on the new. Getting the brackets off the old screen is becoming a challenge and I am struggling to remove the brackets without bending them. I have tried heating it with a hairdryer and even when hot to the touch it is still stuck fast. Any advice?

 

In the images below the screen on the blue plastic is the new one. 

 

 

[3s-gtech]

Hmmm. Are they attached to the thin metal backplate, but that comes off the LCD panel via the front? I've seen similar and it looks like you remove the panel from within that complete frame.

[FragglePete]

I've done one of these recently - very similar to my daughters laptop (Dell Inspiron) that initially had the hinge come away from the top shell (common issue) - me trying to fix it ending up cracking the screen.  But, those metal edge brackets are definately held on with a strip of double sided tape so I'm surprised your heat gun has not been able to loosen it off.  

Pete

[synaesthesia]

Soak under the brackets with iso alcohol , leave for a couple of minutes and then prise off with a spudger

[Jobos]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have any alcohol at the moment but looks like I will need to order some.

[synaesthesia]

Always handy to keep a couple of bottles! Great for removing labels and grubby stains, cleaning up bad connectors and also doubles up as the best disinfectant and de-odouriser for lockers that someone has thrown up in.

Yup, happened

[drutt]

Are there not any pull tabs like this for the adhesive pads that are keeping the screen attached to the back plate?

 

Different model of laptop but its been years since any of our laptop screens have been screwed in:

 

[Jobos]

Yes it is definitely screwed in to the hinges and I am following this guide to strip it down.

 

The screen removal starts at 1:27

 

 

[Koldov]

A video on how to replace your screen... without actually replacing the screen... great! Very helpful...

 

I notice this website has pictures of the screen (I was looking to see if they were sold with brackets attached), but one of the pictures shows 'adhesive strips', they are even available separately so I'd say @FragglePete and @drutt are right on the money. Something like Command picture hanging strips I guess... I hope you haven't melted them though?

 

https://www.laptopscreen.com/English/model/Dell/INSPIRON~15~3520~P112F~(NEWER~MODELS~-~AFTER~2020)/

Edited November 27, 2025 by Koldov

[Jobos]

Managed to get the first one off. It took a lot of heat and force with a metal tool but it came off in the end. I'll wait to get the strips before I remove the other one. 

[LeMarchand]

3 hours ago, synaesthesia said:

Always handy to keep a couple of bottles! Great for removing labels and grubby stains, cleaning up bad connectors and also doubles up as the best disinfectant and de-odouriser for lockers that someone has thrown up in.

Yup, happened

 

 

If only this head had thought to use that as a defence: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98n841n8w2o

[synaesthesia]

I saw that, being quite local  I know I'm getting old as like many of us, have found plenty of senior staff's stashes in the past

Thankfully 99.9% isoprope is a bit easier to explain away than a case of Baileys or Scotch! (and neither are particularly useful in this use case )

[Jobos]

30 minutes ago, synaesthesia said:

I saw that, being quite local  I know I'm getting old as like many of us, have found plenty of senior staff's stashes in the past

Thankfully 99.9% isoprope is a bit easier to explain away than a case of Baileys or Scotch! (and neither are particularly useful in this use case )

 

I think the Scotch will come in very handy when he thinks about what he has lost!