A common problem with modern displays that use an active backlight is backlight bleeding.
This is also known as “flashlighting” (backlight bleed in the corners of the screen) and “clouding” (irregular patches of light remaining visible when the screen is supposed to be black).
So, how do you deal with this issue when it rears its ugly head?
That’s precisely what we’re going to answer in this guide, so keep reading if you want to finally get rid of this problem.
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The Warranty
If you’ve bought a new display that shows significant backlight bleeding, there’s a fair chance that you will be able to get it replaced. However, different companies have different policies when it comes to this type of issue, so don’t expect it to be a smooth ride.
In any case, if the display is new or at least covered by a warranty, you should always try and get it replaced or fixed by a professional before trying anything yourself. This is mainly because some companies might easily use even the slightest sign of tampering to wiggle out of their obligation to the customer.
Now, let’s move on to some DIY solutions…
Fixing Backlight Bleeding Yourself
As mentioned in the introduction, there are two major ways in which backlight bleeding can manifest, flashlighting and clouding. Generally, clouding is more prevalent in larger displays, while flashlighting can occur in both larger and smaller ones. Light bleeding along the edges is also common, although far less noticeable.
Luckily, there’s an easy fix to this problem that you can try with no fear of damaging the hardware. All you will need is a screwdriver and a microfiber cloth.
This probably goes without saying but, before starting, make sure that the TV is turned off first and allow it a few minutes to cool off if necessary. Now, here is what you should do:
- Slightly loosen the screws on the back of the display. Sometimes, clouding and/or flashlighting occur as a result of the panel warping due to the screws being too tight. Turning each screw half-way counter-clockwise should do the trick.
- Twist the frame slightly.
- Turn the TV on and check if the backlight bleed is gone. If it isn’t, proceed to the following step.
- Take the microfiber cloth and gently rub the areas where the bleed appears in a circular pattern. Apply only so much pressure that you can see the reflections in the screen warp slightly.
If you’ve done all of the above and the bleed still persists, try giving the display a day to settle. If after that time, the backlight bleeding is still there, try repeating step number four and it should go away eventually.
If you want to make some before-and-after shots, check out the video below. Granted, any completely black screen should do the trick, but simply playing the video fullscreen is more convenient than googling for a proper image or making your own in MS Paint.
Managing Backlight Bleeding That Can’t Be Fixed
Let’s consider the worst-case scenario — the seller won’t fix or replace the display, and the above steps have not helped. In this case, the only thing that you can do to make the bleeding more manageable is to turn down the brightness.
Of course, this is far from an ideal solution since it will inevitably detract from the visual quality, especially if you own an HDR-capable display. But unfortunately, this is the only way to reduce the bleed if the above steps did not help.
How To Avoid Backlight Bleeding In The Future
Sadly, backlight bleeding will always occur in displays that use an active backlight, so the only way to avoid it entirely is to invest in an OLED display. Of course, this is not an option for everyone as OLED displays are extremely expensive and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
So, rather than thinking about how to avoid it entirely, think about how you can get your hands on a display with minimal backlight bleeding. This is as simple as reading reviews, customer and professional alike, of the monitor/TV that you’re thinking about buying.
The Final Word
The method we have described above is not guaranteed to eliminate backlight bleed entirely, but it should help in making it more manageable.
Finally, if your monitor is too far gone, we suggest checking out this article that will help you find the display that best suits your needs and budget.
