Laptop Screen Buying Guide
Laptop Screen Connector Positions Explained: Bottom Left, Bottom Right and Centre Connectors
Laptop replacement screens can have the same size, resolution and connector type, but still be wrong if the connector is in a different position. This guide explains bottom-left, bottom-right, top and centre connector positions, why the position must be checked from the back of the screen, and why a difference of only a few millimetres can matter.
Position Where the socket sits on the back of the LCD
Back view Left and right are judged from the rear
Few mm matter A small shift can stop the cable reaching
Not pitch Position and pin spacing are different checks
What is a laptop screen connector position?
The laptop screen connector position tells you where the display cable socket is located on the back of the LCD panel. Common positions include bottom right, bottom left, top right and centre.
This matters because the laptop display cable is usually made to reach one specific place. If the connector is on the wrong side of the screen, or even a few millimetres away from the expected location, the cable may not reach or may sit under stress.
Simple explanation
Connector position means where the cable plugs into the back of the screen. A screen can be the correct size and resolution but still be wrong if the connector is in the wrong place.
Common laptop screen connector positions, viewed from the back
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Always check connector position from the back of the screen. Bottom right from the back may look like the opposite side when you are viewing the laptop from the front.
Important: left and right are viewed from the back of the screen
This is the mistake that causes many wrong orders. Connector position is normally described while looking at the rear of the LCD panel, with the screen label facing you.
If you look at the laptop from the front, the left and right side can appear reversed. Always remove or inspect the screen from the rear side when checking connector position.
Quick rule
Put the screen face down carefully, with the rear label facing you. Now check whether the connector is at the bottom left, bottom right, top or centre.
Modern screens can look identical but have the connector a few millimetres apart
In recent years, many laptop screen manufacturers have produced panels that look almost identical from the front and have very similar model numbers or revisions, but the connector may be positioned slightly differently on the back of the screen.
Sometimes the difference is only a few millimetres. That may sound small, but laptop display cables are often cut and routed very tightly. A connector that is just slightly further from the edge can mean the cable will not reach, or will only connect under tension.
On some product pages, where we provide connector measurements, we may recommend measuring the distance of the connector from the right edge of the screen. This can help confirm the correct version before ordering, especially where several similar revisions exist.
Correct version
The connector distance matches the original screen or the measurement shown on the product page.
Measure from the right edge of the LCD panel to the connector position when our product page provides this information.
Similar panel, wrong revision
The connector looks close, but a few millimetres difference can still be enough for the cable not to reach.
Do not assume two similar-looking panels are interchangeable. Check the revision, connector position and any listed connector-distance measurement.
Buying warning
If a product page gives a connector distance, measure your original screen and compare it. A connector that is only a few millimetres different can be disappointing if the replacement arrives and the cable will not reach.
Bottom right laptop screen connector
A bottom-right connector is one of the most common layouts. When viewed from the back of the screen, the connector socket sits near the lower right edge of the LCD panel.
If your original screen uses a bottom-right connector, the laptop cable is usually routed to that side. A bottom-left, centre or different-revision screen may not be suitable unless the laptop was designed for it.
Bottom left laptop screen connector
A bottom-left connector sits near the lower left edge when viewed from the back of the LCD panel. This is also common, especially on some screen families and laptop models.
Bottom-left and bottom-right versions can look almost identical from the front, but the rear connector is in the opposite place. This is why checking the back of the original screen is so important.
Top connector positions
Some laptop screens have the connector near the top of the panel. Top-right and top-left connector positions are less common than bottom connectors, but they are still used in certain models.
A screen with a top connector normally cannot be replaced with a bottom-connector screen unless the laptop cable and internal layout support it.
Centre connector positions
Some screens have the connector near the bottom centre of the panel. This layout is common on certain slim screens, specialist displays and some modern panel designs.
Centre connector screens can be especially easy to confuse with left or right versions in photographs, so always check the exact rear layout and the original panel model number where possible.
Connector position vs connector pitch
Connector position and connector pitch are different things. Both can affect compatibility, but they describe different details.
Connector position
This tells you where the socket is located on the back of the screen, such as bottom right, bottom left, top right or centre.
Connector pitch
This tells you the spacing between the pins inside the connector, such as 0.4mm or 0.5mm.
You need both to be correct
A screen may have the connector in the right position but still have the wrong connector pitch. Learn more in our guide to laptop screen connector pitches .
Why the same laptop model can have different connector positions
Some laptop ranges were sold with several different display options. For example, one version may have used a standard HD screen, another may have used a Full HD screen, and another may have used a touchscreen or high-refresh panel.
These different screens may use different cables, connectors, connector positions or mounting styles. This is why searching only by laptop model can sometimes return more than one possible screen.
Different resolutions
HD, Full HD, WUXGA, QHD and 4K versions may not always use the same panel layout.
Different revisions
Panels with similar model numbers can have different revisions, connector offsets or cable requirements.
Touch vs non-touch
Touchscreen assemblies can use different cables, glass, frames and connector layouts.
What happens if the connector is in the wrong place?
If the connector is on the wrong side, the laptop cable may be too short or may not line up correctly. Forcing the cable can damage the cable, connector or screen.
Even if the connector type looks similar, a wrong-position screen may be impossible to install safely. Do not bend, stretch or twist the display cable to make it fit.
Buying warning
If the cable does not naturally reach the connector, stop. The screen may be the wrong version for that laptop.
How to check your original connector position
The most reliable method is to inspect the back of the original screen. If the screen is still fitted, you may need to remove the bezel and carefully lift the panel forward to see the rear label and connector.
If you are not comfortable doing this, ask a repair technician to check it for you. The connector and display cable are delicate, and damage can be expensive.
| Step | What to check | Why it matters |
| 1 | Look at the back of the original screen | Connector position is judged from the rear of the LCD panel. |
| 2 | Find the cable socket | This is where the laptop display cable plugs into the screen. |
| 3 | Check bottom left, bottom right, top or centre | The replacement should match the original connector location. |
| 4 | Check the panel model number and revision | Different revisions can sometimes move the connector slightly. |
| 5 | Measure from the right edge if a product page gives that measurement | A few millimetres difference can stop the display cable reaching. |
| 6 | Check connector type and pitch | Position alone is not enough; pin count and pitch must also match. |
Connector position is only one part of compatibility
Connector position matters, but it does not confirm the entire screen specification. A replacement laptop screen must match the full physical and electrical requirements of the laptop.
Check these details before ordering
- Exact laptop model and sub-model
- Original LCD panel model number and revision where possible
- Screen size, such as 13.3 inch, 14.0 inch, 15.6 inch or 17.3 inch
- Resolution, such as HD, Full HD, WUXGA, WQXGA, QHD or 4K
- Connector type, such as LVDS, 30-pin eDP or 40-pin eDP
- Connector pitch, such as 0.4mm or 0.5mm where relevant
- Connector position, such as bottom left, bottom right, top or centre
- Connector distance from the right edge where shown on our product page
- Mounting style, brackets, tabs or adhesive/no-tabs design
- Touchscreen or non-touchscreen version
- Screen finish, such as matte anti-glare or glossy
- Panel type, such as IPS, UWVA, WVA, TN or OLED
- Refresh rate, such as 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz or higher
How to choose the correct replacement screen
The safest way to choose the correct replacement is to match the original LCD panel model number printed on the back of the screen. If that is not available, use the full laptop model and compare the full screen specification.
Where we provide a connector distance measurement on a product page, use it. Measure your original screen from the stated edge, usually the right edge of the panel, and compare it before ordering.
Related guides: How to identify your laptop screen model and Laptop screen connector pitches explained .
Best rule: match the original connector position, revision and full screen specification.
A replacement screen can have the correct size and resolution but still be wrong if the connector is on the wrong side or a few millimetres away from the expected position. Always check the rear connector position, connector type, pitch, mounting style and original panel model number where possible.
Frequently asked questions
What does laptop screen connector position mean?
Connector position means where the display cable socket is located on the back of the LCD panel, such as bottom left, bottom right, top right or centre.
Do I check connector position from the front or back?
Check connector position from the back of the screen, with the rear label facing you. Left and right can appear reversed if you look from the front.
Is bottom left the same as bottom right if the connector type matches?
No. A bottom-left and bottom-right connector are in different positions. The laptop cable may not reach if the connector is on the wrong side.
Can a few millimetres difference in connector position matter?
Yes. Laptop display cables are often very short and tightly routed. A connector that is only a few millimetres away from the expected position may stop the cable reaching safely.
Why do similar screens have different connector positions?
Similar-looking screens can be made in different model versions or revisions. These versions may have slightly different connector positions, connector offsets or cable requirements.
Should I measure the connector distance from the right edge?
If our product page provides a connector distance measurement, measure your original screen from the stated edge, often the right edge of the panel, and compare it before ordering.
What happens if the laptop screen connector is on the wrong side?
The display cable may be too short, may not line up, or may be unsafe to connect. Do not force or stretch the cable.
Is connector position the same as connector pitch?
No. Connector position tells you where the connector is on the back of the screen. Connector pitch tells you the spacing between the pins inside the connector, such as 0.4mm or 0.5mm.
Can the same laptop model have different connector positions?
Yes. Some laptop ranges were sold with different display options, resolutions, touch versions, cables or panel revisions, which can result in different connector positions.
Can I buy a replacement screen by connector position only?
No. Connector position is only one specification. You must also check screen size, resolution, connector type, pitch, mounting style, touch support, finish, refresh rate and the original panel model where possible.
