Backlight bleed is a common issue that occurs when light from the backlight of a monitor leaks through the edges of the screen, causing distracting flashes of light.
This issue is particularly common in IPS and gaming monitors. If you’ve recently purchased a new monitor and noticed backlight bleeding, you’re not alone. Many users experience this issue, and it can be frustrating to deal with.
However, there are simple techniques you can use to reduce backlight bleed and enjoy a clear, crisp display.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the issue of backlight bleed, explain why it happens, and explore some effective solutions to eliminate this annoying distraction.
So, if you’re tired of distracting flashes of light coming from the edges of your monitor and want to improve your viewing experience, keep reading!
Let’s get started!
What is Backlight Bleed?
Backlight bleed is a phenomenon that occurs in LCD screens when the light used to produce an image on the screen leaks through the edges and creates faint lights that distract from the main image. This can result in a noticeable glow around the edges, especially in dark scenes or areas of the screen with a lot of black. It can be a common issue with LCD screens and may affect your viewing experience.
Backlight bleeding occurs when the LCD backlight leaks around the edges of the screen and appears with some patches of light through the other parts that are still dark.
It is a problem caused by the poor construction of the LCD panel or, more commonly, improper installation.
It’s not just your TV that suffers from backlight bleed. Also, backlight bleed occurs with computer monitors and laptop displays.
It can happen in any type of LCD that has active backlight illumination or it is using the Edge LEDs to illuminate the screen.
During the identification, you may doubt if the problem is backlight bleed or IPS glow. Backlight Bleed is more an issue whereas if it is Backlight Glow, it is instead a limitation of the LCDs and it is common to notice that.
You can check more details about IPS Glow vs Backlight bleed here.
How to Fix Backlight Bleeding?
To fix backlight bleeding, you can try reducing the brightness of your screen, using a microfiber cloth to gently rub the affected areas, or claiming warranty and getting a replacement or repair.
However, it may not be possible to completely fix the issue in several cases.
Here are the steps in detail:
Fix #1. Reducing the Brightness on Monitor’s Screen
Backlight bleeding is a defect that’s extremely difficult to avoid, but with the right settings, you can reduce the amount of backlight bleeding on your screen.
Reducing the screen brightness would make the edge light leaking less visible as compared to with max monitor brightness.
You can reduce your monitor backlight to an acceptable level so that you are still getting an awesome viewing experience with a reduced backlight setting.
Fix #2. Using Microfiber cloth Rubbing Method for Your LCD Display
Often there can be an accumulation of pixels on the edge of the LCD you are using. So, many times rubbing them moves them away.
To use this technique you need a clean microfiber cloth. You cannot use any other cloth as it might lead to scratches on the display.
Now, use the microfiber cloth and softly rub the areas where you are seeing this backlight bleeding issue.
Do it in areas where you see noticeable backlight bleeding. This would reduce backlight clouding in those areas.
Fix #3. Claiming Warranty
If you are just using a new monitor, then it is awesome that you can issue a replacement or a warranty claim if you feel the backlight bleeding is too much.
You can easily contact customer care and address your issue and resolve that fast.
Is Backlight Bleed Normal?
Backlight bleed is a common phenomenon that many people notice as a faint glow around the edges of their screen. It is often more noticeable in dark scenes or when the screen is black.
This phenomenon is caused by the backlight in an LCD screen leaking through the edges of the panel.
Backlight bleed is a normal occurrence and affects all LCD screens to some degree.
The level of backlight bleed will vary from one screen to another, so it’s important to inspect any potential purchase before you buy.
Some people are more sensitive to backlight bleed than others, but it’s generally not considered a defect.
Does Backlight Bleed get worse?
Backlight bleeding does not get worse over time. It is a manufacturing defect that stays with the display as it is.
While there have been a few cases of increasing light leaks as the display ages, this is rare. If you have chosen a high-quality monitor, then the chances of having backlight bleeding are much less.
Does Backlight Bleed Affect Picture Quality?
Backlight bleed does not affect the picture quality generally.
However, if you are watching scenes with a dark background, then those would be affected and you would see the edges are bleeding with lights.
It gets more noticeable once you are in a dark room.
It is more of an annoyance than a problem that will affect the quality of your display. It can cause some streaking, but it’s not permanent and doesn’t have any effect on how well you see what’s on the screen.
How to Perform a Backlight Bleed Test?
The backlight bleed test is a quick and easy way to determine if your monitor or TV display has a backlight bleed problem.
Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off the lights: Make sure all light sources in the room are turned off.
- Turn on the display: Turn on your TV or monitor.
- Look for dark areas: Look at a dark area of the screen where there is no text or images.
- Check for backlight bleed: If you notice a bright streak or glowing coming from behind your display, it is likely suffering from backlight bleed problems that need to be fixed before they worsen.
- Use a black screen video: To make your monitor screen completely black, you can play a black screen video. This will help you perform the backlight bleed test more accurately.
Performing a backlight bleed test is a quick and easy way to determine if your display is having backlight bleed problems. By following these simple steps, you can identify the issue and take necessary steps to fix it.
Other Common LCD Panel Defects
1. Backlight Clouding
Clouding is the second most common type of issue with your LCD panel, and it can be caused by poor construction.
You might have a problem with your LCD panel if you’re experiencing clouding or a shiny border around an edge-lit display.
Two things might help when this happens:
• Replace the panel with a higher quality one
• Install an anti-reflective material for the screen to reduce reflections from ambient light.
2. IPS Glow
IPS Glow is an effect that can be observed only on an IPS screen. When the monitor is viewed in a dark room, the image on these displays appears to have a white glow around the edges.
This phenomenon is caused by how liquid crystals interact with polarized light.
Unlike the backlight bleeding issue, the IPS glow is for the IPS type of screen technology. In this case, if you reduce the screen brightness and add some ambient lighting you can easily reduce the IPS glow.
FAQs on Backlight Bleed
What is Backlight Bleed?
Backlight bleed is a phenomenon where light from the edges of a display panel leaks through the bezel and causes uneven brightness on the screen.
Can backlight bleed be fixed?
Backlight bleed can sometimes be fixed by adjusting the monitor’s settings or by applying pressure to the affected area. However, in some cases, it may be a hardware issue that requires professional repair. If the issue persists after trying to fix it on your own, you may need to contact the manufacturer or a professional repair service for assistance.
Does backlight bleed go away?
Backlight bleeding may not go away completely, but it can be reduced by adjusting the monitor’s settings or by using a darker background. If the issue is caused by a hardware problem, it may not be possible to completely eliminate the backlight bleed. However, in most cases, the issue can be minimized to a level that is acceptable for normal use.
How do I know if my monitor has backlight bleeding?
To check if your monitor has backlight bleeding, you can look for areas of uneven lighting or discoloration around the edges or corners of the screen, especially when viewing dark or black images. You can also use a backlight bleed test, which is a tool that displays a black image on the screen to help you identify areas of uneven lighting. If you notice any significant backlight bleed, you may need to take steps to fix the issue or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Is backlight bleeding bad for you?
Backlight bleeding is not bad. It is a common issue that occurs when the light from the monitor’s backlight leaks through the edges or corners of the screen, resulting in uneven lighting or discoloration. While it can be distracting and affect your viewing experience, it does not pose any health risks.
Final Words
Let’s conclude the post on Backlight bleed and how to fix it!
Here, I have discussed a lot about the backlight bleed technology for your monitor.
I hope you understood in detail about the backlight bleed and it is a manufacturing defect that sometimes comes with monitors and TVs.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post and found several actionable fixes to resolve the issue.
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I’m Anirban Saha, Founder & Editor of TechBullish. With a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and 5+ years of experience as a software developer, I have expertise in electronics, software development, gadgets, and computer peripherals. I love sharing my knowledge through informational articles, how-to guides, and troubleshooting tips for Peripherals, Smart TVs, Streaming Solutions, and more here.