My laptop has a black horizontal line. How do I fix it?

Step 1

Diagnose hardware vs software: connect your laptop to an external monitor.

• Line appears on external monitor too → problem is with graphics card or driver, not the screen
• External monitor is clear → problem is the laptop's screen, cable, or connection

Step 2

If it is a screen/cable issue (most common cause):

The most frequent cause is a loose or damaged LCD cable the cable connecting the display to the motherboard, which runs through the hinge. Repeated opening and closing wears it down.

What to try:

• Gently flex the screen at different angles — if the line moves, changes, or disappears, the cable is loose or damaged
• Update your graphics drivers (worth trying if the line appeared suddenly)
• If under warranty, claim it a screen line is a hardware defect
• If out of warranty, a technician can replace the LCD cable (inexpensive) or the screen panel (more expensive)

Do not press on the screen if it is an LCD panel crack, pressure makes it spread.