How long do LCD monitors last? Many people wanted to know this. If you are one of them then this post is for you.
LCD is a very popular display technology used by many monitor manufacturers. As a matter of fact, you might be reading this article on a device with LCD technology. And you know that every monitor would come with an estimated lifespan. But what about LCD monitors? Do they have an estimated lifespan?
To answer all of your questions regarding this topic, we have written this post. In this post, we will share how long do LCD monitors last. We will share the estimated lifespan of other display technologies as well. In addition, we will try to share some tips to extend the average lifespan of your particular monitors.
So, without further ado, let’s get to it…
How Long Do LCD Monitors Last
LCD or Liquid Crystal Display is a technology that is found on flat-screen monitors. Typically, the estimated lifespan of an LCD monitor is 30,000 hours to 60,000 hours. That means if you will be using the monitor for 8 hours every day, you will be able to go for 10 to 20 years. Remember, this is an estimation. We cannot tell the exact lifespan of any particular monitor.
How Long Do CRT Monitors Last
Cathode Ray Tube or CRT monitors are not prevalent nowadays. But back in the days, they were very common. You might know them as monitors with a big box-like appearance.
This type of monitor does not have a long lifespan. For the record, it has an estimated lifespan of 25,000 to 30,000 hours. This means you can expect 8 to 10 years of lifespan if you are using it 8 hours per day.
How Long Do LED Monitors Last
LED or Light Emitting Diode is a newer technology. You might already be using an LED display on your phone or monitor. They tend to be very bright and color accurate.
Also, they are a bit pricey compared to the previously mentioned display types. Reportedly, LED monitors can last for up to 50,000 hours. That means it can go up to 17 years if you are using your monitor for 8 hours per day.
How Long Do OLED Monitors Last
OLED is a different type of display panel technology. And, this is also very new and expensive technology. Still, OLED or Organic Light-emitting Diode monitors are known for color accuracy and high brightness and contrast.
Now, OLED monitors are susceptible to screen burn-in. So, if you are using the monitor continuously for a long time. Or if you are using the same wallpaper for a long time on your monitor, then you might start to notice screen burn-in in your OLED monitor.
However, if you use screensavers or don’t overuse your monitor, an OLED monitor can go a long way. Reportedly, an OLED monitor can have a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours. Theoretically, you can expect an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years from your OLED monitor.
Symptoms of Defective Monitor
At this point, you are aware of the average lifespan of different types of monitors. But how would you know if your monitor is defective or not? There are a few ways you can be sure about that. So, let’s talk about it…
Erratic Display Behaviour
Of course, if you see that the display is behaving erratically, then it is a sign of defective monitors. In that case, your monitor would turn on or off from time to time automatically. The source of the problem could be a faulty power adapter. Also, the physical buttons on the monitor could be damaged as well.
Display Burn-in
Have you recently noticed any ghosting on your monitor? It means that you will see a ghost-like appearance on the monitor of a graphic that was showing while the monitor was on. It could also occur when you are playing resource-hungry games with a low-end GPU.
But if it is not the case for you, then the source might be the monitor. You can also use different screensavers or multiple wallpapers to prevent screen burn-in.
Dead Pixels
The dead pixel issue is related to the hardware. So it is not possible to fix it without replacing the monitor. Normally, some new monitors even can have dead pixels. It is the absence of pixels on the monitor. For some monitors, there could be only one dead pixel. However, for others, there could be multiple dead pixels.
Random Screen Problems
Last but not least, your monitor can show random issues all of a sudden. You could notice that your monitor’s display has turned blue or greenish. Also, you could see that your monitor is flashing automatically from time to time.
In addition, you could also notice a burning smell if the monitor is defective. In the case of CRT monitors, you might hear a random popping sound when it became damaged. And of course, if you see that your monitor is not turning on anymore, you can be sure that it is already damaged.
Now, whatever the problem on your monitor is, you should contact a professional for this. And if your monitor still has the warranty, then you should send it to the warranty as fast as possible. Most monitor issues can be solved by repairing.
How to Maintain and Take Care of Your Monitors
There are many ways you can take care of your monitors. And, if you want to extend the estimated lifespan of your monitor, you should follow some instructions. Let’s talk about them…
Use a Surge Protector
Normally, your monitor should come with a power adapter. That adapter should be able to withstand a wide range of voltage. That way, if there is a sudden spike in the electricity flow in your home, your monitor will be protected.
However, if the power surge is so much that the default power adapter is not even rated for that, then it might damage the monitor. As a result, you should use a surge protector with your monitor.
Use Proper Power Adapter
Every monitor comes with a power adapter. Typically, the power adapter will have a voltage and an amperage rating. It is always better to use the power adapter that came with your monitor. However, that power adapter might get damaged.
Then you should buy the similarly rated (Voltage and Amperage) power adapter. If you don’t find that. Then you should look for a power adapter with the same voltage and higher amperage rating.
Never use a power adapter that doesn’t have the same voltage rating or similar/higher amperage rating. If you are using a power adapter with a different voltage rating, you might damage the monitor.
Proper Air Flow
Normally, you will find air vents at the back or bottom of the monitor. When you are running a monitor for a long time, it will get hot. To prevent heat buildup, those air vents are there.
So you should keep the air vents unobstructed at all times. You should also clean any dirt residue on the air vents of the monitor from time to time.
Use Your Monitor in a Safe Place
It goes without saying that you should keep your monitor in a safe place. You should keep the monitor away from water or fire. Also, it is not wise to drink beverages near a monitor. You can easily drop the bottle or cup and it could damage the monitor.
Use a UPS
If you are living in an area where load-shedding is a regular occurrence, you should opt for a UPS. That way, your monitor will not be turned off suddenly.
Concluding Thoughts on How Long Do LCD Monitors Last
So now you know how long does LCD monitors last. At the same time, you also know this information for other types of display technology. To be honest, most monitors come with a very high estimated lifespan. Still, it is not possible that every monitor will last that long.
Typically, you can expect your monitor will die after 5 years. But that is not an issue as you can repair the monitor in most cases. So, if you have damaged a monitor, you can take this to the repair shop. Also, day by day, monitors are becoming budget-friendly. So if you are using an old monitor, you can upgrade it as well.
You can read our post on How Many Amps Does a Gaming Computer Use? If you have found this post helpful, you can share it with others. In addition, you can ask any questions or share your opinion in the comments below!
