How to fix LCD light bleed on 15R2 UHD

Hello folks,

Like many of you I have been subject to the issue of light bleed. Now I contacted DELL support immediately as i was still in the 14 day refund period, and thought surely this must be some sort of production error.

After a disccussion of a period of a week DELL changed their mind repeatedly as to what can, or cannot be fixed. Initially senior techs suggested it is unfixable and nothing could be done, Still DELL sent out a tech to try and improve the situation.

After and hour and a half nothing had changed, but my screen was now no longer prestine..


The light film was now torn up and a mess leaking light between the bezel and the screen (wonderful)

After contacting DELL support again to say the light bleed was no better I was then offered a new display as a possible option, bearing in mind DELL said it wasn't possible to fix.



As you can see the image is bad even after DELL visited. So I initiatied the replace display order, in the meantime I was offered the ability to disassemble my own laptop with DELL holding responsibility for damages should they occur. Anyways to my mind while speaking with the tech prevoiusly the bezel is the sole reason for the light bleed because the mounting system for the display is utter crap.

So i went out and bought a roll of double sided rug placement tape and a packet of blutac. I know seriously wtf?

This is how you fix the bezel

You need to pull the bezel surround off paying particular attention to both the webcam and the alienware logo areas.

I suggest you get a fingernail under the middle left bezel and pry off up and down the left side, paying little attention to the bottom left corner. Instead work clockwise around the laptop, skip the webcam and drop back to that at the end.

Once you have the bezel detached left and right middle, work on the bottom edge working in to the middle areas. reason I say this is the alienware logo has a mild adhesive attached around the edge but if pulled away sharply will be torn like mine (thanks DELL technician)

Once you have only the logo to go gently pull either side from the top (will get to the hinge section in a minute. and apply enough pressure that the glue releases.

You will find that once the logo is release the hinge will come away very easily as the hooks only slide into the opposite side and require a little wiggle to remove.

Ok now the bezel is off, but the webcam is still attached, this is a pain I won't lie and keeping your cool is essential. You will need to slide the bezel down which will reveal the snap lock which is used all the way round the bezel, once exposed you will need to slide the bezel upwards ensuring the bezel is clear of the mounting frame. Ths will allow the clasps to slide apart. You can slide it down instead but you may damage your screen, I didn't but i can't guarantee you won't



Now you will need to apply the blu tac to the mounting bracket on the four corners on the lowest points of the bracket. This bracket will make more sense when you look at it, but look at my positioning. also I would recommend applying a small amount around the magnetic wake up switch on the right hand side as the braket is thin there and bends badly because of the design creating light bleed.

anyways after 3 hours of fiddling and working out the right amounts I ended up with this. The blutac was slightly higher than the mounting brackets higher level, and i do mean slightly. you will need to apply an amount rollled out the an approximate thickness of 3-4mm (USB cable thick) apply to the corners and a thickness of 2-3mm on the right side by the magnetic wake up.



At this stage you will need to apply fresh double sided tape to the alienware logo as shown, I did in the end apply two smaller pieces left and right of the logo as well but this isn't photographed. I warn you know I used a stronger adhesive as I had the problem below, but I do believe mine will be a pain to disassemble in future as the bond is much, much stronger (however I don't think I ever will.)



If you do damage the film above the logo I used a DPM sealing tape ( I work for a flooring company and have this laying around) http://www.f-ball.co.uk/product_detail.asp?product=Jointing Tape&catID=damp

Once you are at this stage I had my blutac done, the double sided tape in place and repaired the film.




I suggets you leave the tape covered up and work the blutac and bezel togehter making sure one you can get it to click together and you haven't put too much in and second you didn't put too little in and still have light bleed, I recommend you don't click the webcam in as it's a pain in the arse doing it once. When you are happy you've got it right it's time for final fit.



I make one recommendation about the blutac, put it in the fridge before you do this fix, I say this as I have done a final check on mine after 10 hours use and it has bonded with the mounting frame and the bezel meaning it's stretchy and sticky, if you put it in the cool, or live somewhere cool it will make it much easier as it doesn't stick and squashes without the mess.


Reassembly is a little easier when your ready for final fit. Remove the backing off the double sided tape and work the bezel from the bottom up, you will need to work up the left and right DO NOT PUSH THE TAPE IN YET!!!

Work up the sides clicking it in as you go, my webcam snapped together without issue and isn't the same as taking it apart. Once you are all snapped in (double check) you are ready to stick the logo

I highly recommend you support the lid from behind and gently push the bezel towards your other hand, if you don't get this right you'll find the adhesive bonds but pulls or pushes the bottom edge and can cause light bleed, I've done it without supporting it and got away with it, but if you use a strong tape like me, it's a one time attempt. without breaking the foil more and needing to start again.

The finished result.



If you have any questions please ask, i'm happy to help since DELL are trying to hide away from the fact the LCD is perfect but it's mounting system and bezel design do not work..

The reason this problem occurs is because DELL used only 4 screws to attach the mounting plate to the lid and 4 screws to attach the screen to that. the mounting bracket flexes and inturn the screen flexes. To compound the issue the bezel has a lip on the inside edge and the display is proud of the mounting bracket. DELL cannot fix this issue properly and all support, at least in the UK is turning a blind eye. I heard back from management on Friday and said this is a charactistic of LCD panels and by design a limitation of the technology, clearly it's not as i've fixed it. They ignored the fact i've done something about it and said they'd swap the display or refund me. The issue is not your screen it is the design of the lid on the laptop.

To my mind a 'fix kit' could be produced using hard foam pads with an adhesive on one side cut to fit (mass produced obviously) which a technician or user could install. This would fix the issue entirely and get did of this stupid problem.

If you arent the sort to to DIY it then get a REFUND IMMEDIATLEY, or Enjoy the light bleed
DELL will not and cannot fix the situation with their current level of support.


If you arent afraid do it yourself.

 

A screenlid must flex little or else they are going to crack. So not sure if your fix is a good one in the long run.

The screenlid is already actually quite rigid.

 

What are you talking about? All I've done is use blu tac as a spacer on the bezel
The screen lid flexes asuch as before

 

Sorry nevermind, the forum didnt show the previous messages only that you had fixed it. From your post I understood that you strenghtened the lid. (I assumed) Now I see 2 follow up posts where you used another method.

 

Oh OK no problem.
I've updated photo links to stop this happening in future. (misunderstanding the post.)

 

This is an awesome fix! Thanks for posting this. I'll probably do this one day because my screen looks similar to yours. Really cool to see there is a fix for this. Great work and thanks for sharing!

 

No problem glad to have helped. Don't get me wrong there is a slight amount of bleed, and i mean very slight but compared to Dells acceptable standard it is far far better. I confuse what i'm talking about with LCD glow to give you an idea how low i'm talking.

 

The pictures speak volumes. I'm really impressed you took that kind of initiative. That's what this hobby is about.

 

Thanks Punisher,

TBH when Dell tell you to fix it yourself or send it back you tend to be frustrated and annoyed enought to make your own fix. expecially when they tell you light bleed is a limitation of LCD technology, when in fact it's a limitation in the design of the bezel.

 

Great post although am wondering is the blutac rigid enough for it to hold up long term? IE will it not flatten out over time and light bleed return? I currently have minimal light bleed with my AW 17 R3 but it was much worse with my previous 15 R2. I also experience the adhesive on alienware logo peeling off the tape around the monitor great job mentioning this in your post.

They should have came up with a better design for the bezel, it seems to be what is causing all the problems maybe the clips are just too tight/short. I always thought about taking the bezel off and filing the clips ever so slightly.
I don't think the touchscreen panels have this problem with lightbleed as the entire screen is glass with no bezel. Like you said there is a difference between naturally inherent LCD IPS glow and LCD light bleed from manufacture defect and alienware needs to recognize this! @Alienware-L_Porras

 

Great info and write up. Thanks for sharing this as I'm sure it'll give a lot of people hope.


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Your welcome, regrettably this is the state of Alienware support.

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I'm currently testing blutac without issue, however if one does pop up I have another plan. If I use said plan I will update the fix to reflect this.

Currently I'm not suffering any movement, i have had the bezel off a few times without issue.

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Indeed it is. A lot of us have had our fair share with AW and their comical support when it comes to knowledge based issues like this...ie them them trying to blame the LCD lol.

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+rep

Huge risk you're willing to take

 

What risk, I have a letter here from dell confirming my display modifications will not void my warranty of accidental damage cover.

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To be fair, we take way more of a risk stripping our machines down to re-paste!

 

Yeah I wouldn't be doing that.

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I know, but I don't think I'll be brave enough to do this myself. Even if Dell would cover accidental damage.

Why not a repaste while you're at it?

 

Nah its easy, once you get a edge it will just pop off. Its so east its insulting as it causes so many problems.

As for the re paste, why? My temps only hit 70c and that's without my pad, on that its only 63c

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Thank you Mr Luke. I did firmly believe this issue was with the bezel. This post confirmed it. I only had bleed top left. I opened it up, starting from the left, and going up to about 2 inches from the camera. and applied 4 thin layers of electrical tape below the "screw" I did not have to remove it completely, and not worry about the camera or alienware logo! My alienware is now in much better shape. Only thing is.. I have to wait til monday for the technician to repair my blown speakers.. on a brand new laptop that hasnt even used the speakers yet.. ! :b And.. COOLINGPASTE!

Ps. You can see your face.

 

Blown speakers? That's the first I've heard of such an issue...

Keep us updated...

 

It happened on my first AW 15r2, when running linux. I dont know if this pc arrived with it, but it sure has them blown or something. Sounds like crap compared to how they are supposed