How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Laptop Screen in the UK?
If your laptop screen is cracked, flickering, showing lines, dim, white, black, or leaking ink-like marks, the first question is usually:
how much will a laptop screen replacement cost?
For many standard laptop screens, buying the replacement screen and fitting it yourself can cost from around
£30 to £90 plus delivery. More expensive screens, such as touchscreen assemblies, high-refresh gaming screens,
4K panels and OLED displays, can cost more.
If you take the laptop to a repair shop, the total price is usually higher because you are paying for both the screen and the labour.
The part itself may be affordable, but labour, diagnosis, VAT, collection, return postage or manufacturer repair charges can quickly increase the total.
Quick Laptop Screen Replacement Cost Guide
| Replacement option |
Typical cost |
What this usually means |
| DIY replacement screen |
From around £30 to £90 plus delivery |
You buy the screen and fit it yourself. |
| Standard 15.6 inch laptop screen |
Often around £30 to £65 plus delivery |
One of the most common and affordable laptop screen sizes. |
| Touchscreen laptop screen |
Usually more than a standard non-touch screen |
Touch models often need a different panel or full screen assembly. |
| Gaming laptop screen |
Often higher than a standard screen |
High refresh rates such as 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz or 240Hz usually cost more. |
| OLED laptop screen |
Often around £200 or more |
Premium OLED panels are usually much more expensive than standard LCD screens. |
| Repair shop fitted replacement |
Usually more than DIY |
You pay for the screen, labour, diagnosis and sometimes VAT or carriage. |
These prices are a guide only. The exact cost depends on your laptop model, screen size, resolution, connector, mounting style,
whether the screen is touch or non-touch, and whether the screen is a bare panel or a complete lid/display assembly.
Why DIY Laptop Screen Replacement Can Be Much Cheaper
A laptop repair shop has to charge for time as well as parts. That is fair enough if you do not want to open the laptop yourself,
but it means a repair that uses a £40 or £60 screen can end up costing much more once labour is added.
On many laptops, the screen is one of the more practical parts to replace at home. In simple cases, the job is usually:
- Remove the plastic screen bezel or frame.
- Unscrew or release the damaged screen.
- Disconnect the screen cable carefully.
- Connect the new replacement screen.
- Test the display before putting everything back together.
Some laptops are easy. Some are not. Slim ultrabooks, touchscreen models, adhesive-mounted screens and premium machines can be more difficult.
If the screen is glued into a full lid assembly, the job may take longer and the part may be more expensive.
Typical DIY Laptop Screen Prices by Size
| Screen size |
Typical DIY screen cost |
Notes |
| 11.6 inch |
Around £30 to £45 |
Common on Chromebooks, education laptops and smaller notebooks. |
| 13.3 inch |
Often around £35 to £70 |
Common on compact laptops and ultrabooks. |
| 14.0 inch |
Often around £35 to £65 |
Common on business laptops and modern portable laptops. |
| 15.6 inch |
Often around £30 to £65 |
The most common laptop screen size, so prices are often competitive. |
| 16.0 inch |
Often around £55 to £90+ |
Used on many newer creator, productivity and gaming laptops. |
| 17.3 inch |
Often around £50 to £90+ |
Common on larger laptops and gaming machines. |
| OLED, 4K, touchscreen or high-refresh panels |
Usually higher |
Specialist panels can cost much more than standard LCD screens. |
Why Some Laptop Screens Cost More Than Others
Screen size is only part of the price. Two screens can both be 15.6 inch, but one may be a basic HD panel and the other may be
a high-refresh Full HD gaming panel, a touchscreen, or a high-resolution display. They will not necessarily cost the same,
and they may not be interchangeable.
Resolution
HD and Full HD laptop screens are usually cheaper than QHD, 3K, 4K or other high-resolution panels. If your laptop came with
a high-resolution screen, you normally need to match the correct specification.
Touchscreen or Non-Touchscreen
Touchscreen laptops often need a different part from non-touch models. In some cases the LCD, glass and touch digitiser are bonded together,
which makes the replacement more expensive.
Connector and Cable Type
Many modern laptop screens use eDP connectors, but the connector position and pin count can vary. A screen can be the correct size
but still have the wrong connector.
Mounting Style
Older screens often use screw brackets. Newer slim laptops may use adhesive strips or a complete display assembly. This affects both
the price and the difficulty of the repair.
Refresh Rate
Gaming laptop screens with higher refresh rates usually cost more than standard 60Hz screens. A 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz or 300Hz panel
should normally be replaced with the correct matching type.
OLED and Premium Panels
OLED screens can look excellent, but they are usually much more expensive than standard LCD panels. If your laptop has an OLED display,
expect the replacement screen to cost more.
Is It Worth Replacing a Laptop Screen?
In many cases, yes. If the laptop still works properly apart from the damaged display, replacing the screen is often much cheaper than
buying a new laptop.
Screen replacement is usually worth considering if:
- The laptop turns on and works on an external monitor.
- The keyboard, motherboard, storage and charging port are working.
- The laptop is still fast enough for what you use it for.
- The replacement screen price is much lower than the cost of a new laptop.
It may not be worth repairing if the laptop also has motherboard damage, liquid damage, severe hinge damage, a broken casing,
or other expensive faults.
How to Check If You Need a New Screen
A cracked screen is obvious, but not every display problem is caused by the screen itself. Before ordering, check the symptoms.
| Symptom |
Likely cause |
What to check |
| Cracked glass or LCD marks |
Damaged screen |
A replacement screen is usually needed. |
| Coloured lines on the display |
Screen or screen cable |
Check whether the lines appear on an external monitor. |
| Very dim image |
Backlight, screen or power issue |
Check brightness settings and external display output. |
| Black screen but laptop powers on |
Screen, cable, graphics or motherboard |
Try an external monitor before ordering a screen. |
| Image works when lid is moved |
Possible cable or hinge-related issue |
Inspect the screen cable and hinge area carefully. |
How to Find the Correct Replacement Screen
The safest way to buy the right screen is to search using your exact laptop model number or the part number from the back of the original screen.
Do not rely only on the advertised laptop size. A laptop sold as a 15 inch laptop may not use the same screen as another 15 inch model.
The screen size, resolution, connector and mounting style all need to match.
If possible, remove the damaged screen and check the label on the back of the panel. This label normally shows the screen model number,
which is often the most reliable way to match a replacement.
DIY or Repair Shop: Which Should You Choose?
| Choose DIY if... |
Choose a repair shop if... |
| You want the lowest possible repair cost. |
You are not comfortable opening the laptop. |
| You can follow a repair video or step-by-step guide. |
The laptop is a touchscreen, glued assembly or premium ultrabook. |
| The screen is a standard LCD panel with screws or simple brackets. |
The laptop has hinge, casing, cable or liquid damage as well. |
| You are happy to take your time and test the screen before reassembly. |
You need a warranty on the fitting labour as well as the part. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a laptop screen?
A DIY replacement laptop screen can often cost from around £30 to £90 plus delivery for many standard LCD panels.
Specialist screens such as touchscreens, gaming panels, 4K screens and OLED displays can cost more.
How much does it cost to replace a 15.6 inch laptop screen?
Many standard 15.6 inch replacement screens cost around £30 to £65 plus delivery, depending on the exact resolution,
connector and panel type.
Is it cheaper to replace a laptop screen yourself?
Usually, yes. DIY replacement avoids labour charges, so you mainly pay for the screen and delivery. The saving can be significant
if the laptop uses a standard screen.
Can a cracked laptop screen be repaired?
A cracked LCD panel is normally replaced, not repaired. The damaged screen is removed and a compatible replacement screen is fitted.
Can I use any screen of the same size?
No. The size must match, but so must the resolution, connector, mounting type and screen technology. A same-size screen is not always compatible.
Is replacing a laptop screen difficult?
It depends on the laptop. Many standard laptops are straightforward, but slim ultrabooks, touchscreens and glued display assemblies can be harder.
Is it worth replacing the screen on an old laptop?
It can be worth it if the laptop still runs well and the screen cost is much lower than replacing the whole machine. If the laptop has several
other faults, replacement may not be the best option.
Final Advice
If you are trying to keep the cost down, a DIY laptop screen replacement is often the cheapest option. Many standard replacement screens are
affordable, and in straightforward cases the repair is manageable with care and patience.
Before ordering, confirm your laptop model, screen size, resolution, connector, touch or non-touch type and mounting style. If you can,
check the part number on the back of the original screen.
Search for a replacement laptop screen by laptop model or screen part number.
