How do I tell if my screen needs to be replaced?

My laptop (Lenovo IdeaPad) screen has constant flickering horizontal bands, usually appears after intensive CPU/GPU use like gaming. I removed the bezel and unscrewed the screen, and re-connected the ribbon-like cable, and it got better for a day or so, but now the flickering is back (though admittedly slightly better than before). Squeezing around the bezel stops flickering for only a few seconds.

Does anyone know in this case is it a broken screen or loose cable, or something else? I don't want to end up spending hundreds of dollars on a new screen on a screen that might not even be broken. I didn't really check anything else other than peel off the tape on the ribbon cable, disconnect, reconnect, then apply a new layer of tape.

Thanks.

Edit: already tested on external monitor (TV), no flickering there, so must be a laptop screen issue.

 

Try an external monitor- if you see the same bands and flickers, that indicates it could be the graphics card.


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Forgot to mention, already tested on external monitor (TV). No flickering on TV so it's a laptop screen issue.

 

I would try replacing the ribbon cable first as it got better when you reconnected the cable.

 

Is that something I can buy online and easily replace myself, or need to go to a repair shop? Not TOO computer-savvy, had to follow Youtube to even remove the bezel and re-connect the cable. Also what's that ribbon cable called?

 

You can get the part number (Lenovo community will help you) for the Display cable and you can fix it yourself, if you are not comfortable get it fixed by a professional in a local repair shop.

 

Getting the part shouldn't be too hard, Lenovo parts are normally easier to come by. The replacement of the cable may be a tad more involved. You might also want to get some Kapton tape and tape the cable so it holds better in place at the connectors. You could probably use other types of tape, but Kapton resists well to high temperatures and is usually designed with these kind of applications in mind.

If you go for that solution, you may also be able to have them get the part instead. They will very likely take a significant markup on the part so it really depends on how comfortable you are with doing the tinkering yourself vs paying for the service or service + part.

Whenever I crack open a laptop, I do it with the possibility that I may end up with a brick afterwards. It has never happened and I have done some pretty involved dissassemblies, but it never hurts to expect the worse. It also usually means that you will be more careful. Look on youtube, with luck there will be a video on how to disassemble the laptop. The manual may also tell you how.

 

See if the appropriate maintenance guide on the Lenovo site happens to mention a replacement part number or two:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht101562
But it probably doesn't hurt to call a local computer repair shop and see if they can take a look (hopefully with a free or very cheap diagnostic fee).