Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Horizontal black line through the center of screen
Horizontal black line through the center of screen
Hello. I'm new to the forum. I have a year-old T440s, my third ThinkPad. Today it developed a small solid black horizontal line through the center of the display. It shows in desktop and all applications. Re-boot had no effect.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
-
axur-delmeria
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 4413
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
- Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Re: Horizontal black line through the center of screen
Does it show on an external monitor?
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
-
theterminator93
- ThinkPadder

- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:45 pm
- Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio, United States
- Contact:
Re: Horizontal black line through the center of screen
Sounds like an LCD going out to me. This is a notorious problem on the 2007 17" iMacs, strange to hear about it on a T440s...
The recovery sets guy
T480 with T25 keyboard | T25 | W520 | T601F | T420 | X220
T61p·T61·43·42p|X13 Yoga G3·220T·301·41T·24·23·22|G41|A31p·22m|i1200|TransNote
600|770Z|770|760XD|760EL|701C|755C
T480 with T25 keyboard | T25 | W520 | T601F | T420 | X220
T61p·T61·43·42p|X13 Yoga G3·220T·301·41T·24·23·22|G41|A31p·22m|i1200|TransNote
600|770Z|770|760XD|760EL|701C|755C
Re: Horizontal black line through the center of screen
I have not tried an external monitor. Sounds like a reasonable troubleshooting step, but I do not have one to try. I do have access to a projector. Let me try it on that and get back to you...
A possible LCD going out? I'm not savvy enough to know, would that mean a screen replacement?
A possible LCD going out? I'm not savvy enough to know, would that mean a screen replacement?
-
rkawakami
- Admin Emeritus

- Posts: 10327
- Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:26 am
- Location: San Jose, CA 95120 USA
- Contact:
Re: Horizontal black line through the center of screen
Yes. Usually with defects like you describe, there's an issue with either one or more connections inside the LCD panel or defective transistors (also inside the panel). Although it probably won't help, you could try re-seating both connectors of the LCD ribbon cable. The one that's attached to the motherboard would be the easiest to get to. The other end at the back of the panel is more difficult as you have to pull the panel out of the lid. Think of it as practice as you'll have to do this if you replace the LCD. The "easier" method would be to replace the entire lid assembly (everything from the hinges up).
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
T470S suddenly stopped booting. Screen keeps black while everything else seems to work
by irock » Sat Feb 28, 2026 2:34 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 9 Replies
- 6260 Views
-
Last post by irock
Mon Mar 16, 2026 12:57 pm
-
-
-
Black foil on mainboards
by ThinkChris » Fri Oct 24, 2025 8:36 am » in Thinkpad - General HARDWARE/SOFTWARE questions - 3 Replies
- 6050 Views
-
Last post by ThinkChris
Sat Oct 25, 2025 12:31 pm
-
-
-
T480 screen shuts off after a few seconds to a minute after starting to use it.
by FranklinHawkings » Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:26 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 13 Replies
- 29917 Views
-
Last post by RealBlackStuff
Sat Nov 01, 2025 12:09 am
-
-
-
Complete screen and lid swap between two X220 one IPS and one not
by Tired » Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:40 am » in ThinkPad X200/X201/X220 and X300/X301 Series - 4 Replies
- 27494 Views
-
Last post by axur-delmeria
Sat Oct 25, 2025 8:30 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests



