Thinkpad T450s LCD Panel Upgrade (and problems)

[@derekmayo9948]

I purchased a panel and ran into the same issue. After searching and watching your video for answers, I didn't want to give up just yet. Further reading online, I was able to successfully use an Arduino and flash the I2C EEPROM on my new panel with Lenovo EDID data. My panel is a LP140WF3-SPD1 which is the IPS FHD LG panel supported in Lenovo BIOS.

[@derekmayo9948]

***** No you do not have to remove the EEPROM. imgur.com/a/u2F18

[@jackfranks2163]

"My panel is a LP140WF3-SPD1 which is the IPS FHD LG panel supported in Lenovo BIOS." Does this mean that it is compatible and that I won't need to do any other work aside from installing it?

[@SamSalhi]

WOW!! Knowledge is power! When I grow up, I want to be just like you!

[@BlaGGah]

I'm so glad i came across this video because i almost purchased the screen Adrian used on this video for my T460. I just recently purchased a used 1600x900 screen so when it comes i'll swap that for my Dell e7440 instead. I love my lenovo more than the dell.

[@Ramdileo_sys]

Simple work around..... run linux.. and put Windows in a VM machine........ or install a preset potentiometer... in the power line of the backligth LED's..... to vary its voltage/brightness in old analog way...

[@yuchong1704]

Appreciate the honesty and the play by play narration. Love watching your videos.

[@DoinTimeOnPlanetEarth]

Thank you for the video. I have a different model, a Thinkpad T550, and thought my screen was dead and needed to be replaced. After watching your video I was able to take off the panel and discovered it was just an unseated cable. I was also happy to learn that I didn't need any adhesive to put the bezel back on, on this model it simply snaps in place.

[@spilltheteewitheliz]

I know this is an old video but if anyone needs to change their screen this way and is troubled by the brightness they can download a windows 10 "Dimmer" & it works great!

[@changkentlee3785]

I’m so glad I read your comment, it just saved my headache of not able to adjust brightness after replacing the screen and that Window Dimmer working perfectly fine, thank you.

[@vitodinunno5962]

I’ll try to install win 10 because right now i have win 11 installed and no working brightness control, even dimmer program doesn’t make any difference.

[@loves2tinker]

Very useful post. I was looking into changing my 1366 x768 on my t450. So you have given me a head start in researching. Thank you.

[@capothefool]

I know I might be a little late to this, but have you gone through with the upgrade? Which screen has worked for you on the t450?

[@yuanwang5551]

your laptop might be the first one with curved screen technonlogy

[@datdang9113]

@@Transitional it's a joke

[@ScienceAlliance]

lol

[@m.r.659]

Thanks to Your video I just upgraded my screen. Fingers crossed it will last. I am not using Windows at all but under my Debian Linux it gave me option to run under 120hz. Greetings from UK.

[@herbmyers805]

3M stick back was used at my shop for holding magnetic backing to hold in turn a metal based sheet to make printing plates Good stuff!

[@amosbatto3051]

Adrian, Thank you so much for making this video. I just ordered a T450s and an replacement IPS screen, so I really appreciate your instructions. [rant]As for the brightness control problem, this is just one more reason why I have only used Linux since 2006, because I don't want to be subject to the whim of corporations like Lenovo and Microsoft, which see no financial interest in helping us avoid lock-in and captive pricing. With free and open source software, we are empowered to fix these sort of problems, even when the IT corps throw up needless roadblocks like this.[/rant]

[@teddyx385]

I'm with you brother. The progress of tech has been limited by big corps decisions to squeeze the market.

[@hernancoronel]

Glossy is better! When I finally added a matte screen protector to my glossy iPhone screen I loved the texture but the overall effect was to greatly reduce sharpness of the display. So much so that I was really glad when I got rid of the protector eventually! Thank you for the great content Adrian!

[@etdwh]

Thanks for the video. Gives me things to consider for a 2nd hand Lenovo X1 Carbon 3rd gen I bought, where I was considering to replace the TN screen with an IPS part

[@acalthu]

Used your video to help me swap out the old LCD. Thank you.

[@SMALL.CREATOR]

I am facing this problem what can I do please help me I tried all the best thing but cant control the brightness 🔅 Date 30dec2023

[@mahmahmahmuh]

I did a similar swap on my T420s and it has worked perfectly. This mod, coupled with an SSD-upgrade, makes it a cheap and fast laptop :)

[@teddyx385]

Which is best place to source wcreens?

[@paulsantman3613]

Hi everyone! Adrian, thanks for the explanation (in particular on the little clip to be able to remove the video cable). I have just replaced the non-IPS screen on the Thinkpad X250 with an IPS screen, and I can say that brightness control works on my laptop as expected (so without issues). I ordered an FRU 00HN839 replacement screen from the the UK based ebay seller lcd4laptop (I live in the Netherlands). Screen looks wonderful, it is a HUGE improvement over the old screen.

[@paulsantman3613]

I forgot to mention - it works under Windows 10, as well as Xubuntu 16.04. My Thinkpad x250 has BIOS version 1.25.

[@paulsantman3613]

And in addition - both screens (the old and and new one) are from the same vendor: LG systems.

[@nana-du4mx]

No fhd converter?

[@JazztoFilms]

Does the screen compatible with t450 model?

[@Lilithe]

I know somewhere that was throwing a similar model out but with 720p screens. One broken scren. I just ordered the 1080p panel of the same connector off of eBay and it worked GREAT. I use it all the time.

[@Lilithe]

Wow I NEVER had that EDID whitelist problem on my T440p. There's also coreboot since you have the tools to write a winbond flash. The BIOS is usually on one of those. I should try Coreboot on this T440p for sure (if it's able a machine that can be Corebooted).

[@bungaloebill4433]

Great video! Thanks for looking into the brightness issue!

[@watashibr]

Nice video, thank you so much. I got this laptop few days ago but the T450 without the "s", it has not the luminous keyboard... i think is because is t450 without "s" . I'm thinking in replace the stock monitor to this IPS Full HD one, i hope this can work in my T450 without "s". Fortunately, =) my OS is Ubuntu so i'll have no problem with brightness control on it. I only use Windows for games and just in desktop computer... This laptop right now 2020 year, is yet the best cost benefit with quality and nice response i ever had. That is why i'm thinking in change the stock monitor to this one. Well thank you so much for this video and when i replace my monitor, i'll say my experience over here.

[@simonshurety3870]

u can replace the keyboard for a backlit one if you so choose although the texture of the keys is much smoother than the non-backlit keyboard.

[@Gale_Force_Raceway]

Great video and commentary. I've got 4 of these buggers to do now, 2 broke, and 2 upgrade.... Might be time for me to swap shells myself :) Thanks!

[@Evhen_Velikiy]

Yup, some HP do the same thing or even worse. Once i`ve forced to replace eeprom from damaged panel to new one because there was serial number written directly into it.

[@JasonLeaman]

FYI, i took my T450 NON s version and put the S panel into it and 2 years still going strong no issues. Saved my self 500$ from the 450 to the 450s model :)

[@jussapitka6041]

The T450s is thinner.

[@betterlifewithlorin]

Can you replace a T450s panel with a T450 panel?

[@hfs9502]

Important to disconnect both batteries and discharge caps by holding down power switch (or you risk burning LCD backlight fuse)

[@νισνιη]

Hi i recently replaced ThinkPad 450s lcd screen after that windows 10 brightness control issue occurred brightness slider can't find & after update the display drivers also won't work, do u know how to fix it???

[@kamauu-si2bo]

​@@νισνιηdid you get a solution?

[@lobbopredator]

Could you tell me what type (make/type/model?)of adhesive did you use? im trying to replace a screen myself and that info would help a lot.

[@TheBoyjoone]

so what happened Adrian can you fix the problem with Derek Mayo info?

[@davidvalens3337]

could you talk about the equipment you have in the background such as your digital PSU and the other tools?

[@TheLobotomist-t1]

the screen probably wasnt waroed, its just that the screen wasnt perfectly centered when you tightened the other three screws. to remedy this: gently unscrew the 3 screws a little bit (without removing the screws) then screw in the fourth screw). Everything should fit into place and become centered, then tighten the rest of the screws firmly, but without over doing it. incase this helps anyone else out

[@enochthestud]

can we upgrade the wifi card or graphics card in the Thinkpad T450?

[@patpathinayake3586]

Hi Adrian, Many thanks for the very informative and sincere ad hoc personal inputs. Your SUPER clear instructions can be followed by anyone with engineering knowledge. Please could you tell me whether LENOVO T450 and T450S screens are compatible? I would like to upgrade my current T450 TFT screen to one like yours. IPS Full HD 1920X 1080. Thank you. Best of luck with your fabulous videos.

[@otaku2day80]

I have the same problem on a 11 years old acer 5610 and installing some hotkeys drivers allowed me to change the brighrness its still disabled on windows too The same problem is on win 10/7/xp

[@ldisc66]

Had a client with a busted screen, so I gave him 2 options, original or after market. Of course he chose after market but I had no idea about the screen brightness issue. So I informed the client and luckily he's seen the new X1 Yoga with the OLED screen and well he's fallen in love lol #AllWellThatEndsWell

[@annafan83]

Great info in this video, thanks. I'm a big fan of Thinkpads too :-)

[@grassulo]

and completely unlocked you can do anything with it :) it's linux that actually works!!

[@terryraymond7984]

I take that back IBM Thinkpads had a defect in the IDE interface I dont know if that problem exists in the Lenovo. The defect is in the Motherboards IDE interface that interface is plastic and tends to move back over time when you plugin the IDE a lot, then eventually the interface cannot reach the IDE connector on the HD, the only fix is to take the KB top off of the main case to access the IDE connector ON the MB, you use a small jewelers screwdriver to push the connector back NOTE leave the HD plugged in. Plugin the KB and test to see if then the hard drive will work before you button up the case halves.

[@kangdeny232]

Sir, do you have the bios file... I've searched the internet and there's nothing suitable

[@s1pex620]

Please tell me, maybe someone has encountered this, I bought a 1920x1080 matrix - B140HAN01.3 for my T460, to replace 1366x768 - B140XTN02.E, after connecting it - it gave a picture, and at the stage of loading Windows I noticed a couple of stripes in the form of artifacts and then everything, a black screen, but the backlight works (the matrix glows inside), I thought that I had already burned something, but no, I did everything according to the instructions, completely de-energized the laptop, carefully fastened the new one, but alas, there is no more image.... having connected the old matrix everything started without problems, what could be the nuance?

[@stonent]

I had a Dell E6400 with their 1080p Ultrasharp screen that they replaced with a Dell 5490 with a 720p screen. Turns out they have the same screen connector and mounts, so I transferred my e6400 screen to the 5490 and it works perfectly at 1080p with a much better display.

[@ghohenzollern]

Might you be able to find a 3rd party software that would dim the display from windows, perhaps by bypassing the driver or convincing windows to dim all colors?

[@halsheeb]

thank you for the video, I have the same exact problem. Is there any chance that Lenovo will update the bios and make those panels we installed white listed?

[@daytona1212]

Looks like the LCD panel was swapped before. Normally there's a transparent sticker with a QR code you stick over the connector to also keep it in place.

[@husheduser]

Could you describe the steps? Watching the video it seems that you have to (a) peel the bezel sticker off (with something sharp I suppose), (b) unscrew the LCD panel, (c) replace the LCD panel (disconnecting/connecting the video connector), (d) screw the LCD panel, (e) glue the bezel sticker again. All this after removing the battery and disconnecting the internal battery (if applicable). Am I right?

[@RealSmartHawk]

Hey budd, nice and informative video. Question : Where did you get that replacement screen from ? can you please mention the store link / product link / product # / part # etc so i can buy one too ? waiting. thanks.

[@CFWhitman]

My screen got broken somehow (I'm not sure at all how; it didn't look broken until you turned it on). Replacing it was my only option. The one thing I didn't expect was that the new screen would be glossy, but I guess that's the risk you take when you don't want to go full price. I dodged the screen brightness issue because I only run Linux on this laptop anyway, and the brightness controls work there (although I'm afraid to upgrade the firmware now in case that makes it not work in Linux either; I haven't heard anything definitive on some of the later firmware versions).

[@bobkoure]

I just bought an 'OEM' bezel sticker for my T460s on eBay. Not absurdly expensive - US$8

[@johanneskingma]

Just replaced the display on my T430s with a little bit more involved but the result is a new life for my 8 yo laptop

[@teddyx385]

Where did you order your screen?

[@horacepoon7044]

Would you please provide more infomation or comment on your replacement? It is because my beloved T430s 1600*900 LCD has just been broken.

[@RockTouching]

Did you have to use DPI settings to scale up the icons/text?

[@jasmijndekkers]

12-12-2023 Steven have the same laptop for his dailey job. Greetings from Steven from the Netherlands

[@spoookas]

Hi Adrian, thanks for the very thorough and informative video. Just wondering if, almost a year later, there's any further issue with the screen warping? Does the lid still kinda "buckle" a bit and not close fully?

[@MatthewTaylor3]

This is very well explained

[@vineettyagi7973]

were you able to fix the brightness issue? if yes, could you make a video on that?

[@νισνιη]

Did you fixed the ThinkPad brightness control issue How did you fixed it

[@kamauu-si2bo]

Didn't fix it but used windows dimmer

[@enochthestud]

is there an anti-glare 1920 × 1080 IPS screen available that we can put in the T450?

[@cavagnarojc]

Can you put the link and model from where you bought the screen and where you got the info? Please???

[@micomalubay9889]

I was hoping to replace my L440 1366x768 to ips panel. Will I get the same problem?

[@JDX123]

If you use an external monitor it doesn't have the brightness issue. So, might consider buying a docking bay, attaching a good big external monitor and using that? You still have laptop portability but save your eyes at work.

[@om_akude5661]

I upgraded my T450 with 32 GB RAM (Lenovo says we can up to 16GB...LOL), 480GB SSD crucial (I took out the 500GB SSD hard drive and using this as external storage) and the boot up & shut down time is magically 3sec I am amazed with performance. the only problem i was facing with the horrible display with 1600 * 900 LCD panel) seriously screen emits blue light as a hell, I did the colour setting showed in this video and it works fine now. thinking to upgrade it to IPS one. but can anyone tell me will that make any huge difference that we would definitely satisfy with. ?

[@infinitecanadian]

Think pads have what kind of keys?

[@mark-qi6di]

I saw another video and the uploader mentioned screencountry. I went to their site and was blown away. They have screens for just about any laptop. I have a T440p, looking to upgrade from 1368x768 TN to FullHD IPS. A T440S screen, that should be compatible, only costs $50. This includes warrantee.

[@zahidqadus2895]

Is the procedure the same for the T450?

[@pikara85]

So, I replaced my screen but turns out the new screen looks dark, changed back to the old screen and it looks dark too. What to do?

[@BenState]

youve blown the backlight fuse.

[@bullerboy22]

Thanks for that, really helpful

[@renzoarana3018]

Hi Adrian! Congrats for your video! Its very didactic. Why do some Hardware Maintenance Manuals from Thinkpads says that to change a panel you need to remove the all LCD unit then the hinges , what for? You just removed the screws and pin connector :O For example that happen with the T580.

[@MrBrianms]

Swap the old panel chipset board into the new screen panel. Thanks.

[@michelebasso8296]

Hello , so finally the issue is been solved? Wich screen i do have to buy onmy T450S not to have problems? (win 10)

[@ultrametric9317]

I changed out the broken panel on my W520 with no probems. It was not the Lenovo part, it was an upgrade.

[@spacebear1325]

could you shed some light on where you found the info for all of this? I need to replace the screen on my T460s since the innox one is shit.

[@larsolav]

Looking at the intel thread, it seems like the backlight issue could be fixed with EDID override in upcoming intel drivers for windows. communities.intel.com/message/421117#421117 I'm going to upgrade my T450 with an FHD IPS as well, though this would not be a problem for me, as I'm a linux user. Also I bought a panel with a lenovo FRU, so it will most likely not have the problem. Unless the T450 have a different whitelist than the T450s of course.

[@omar7c2]

I think they are the drivers, I have thinkpads for years and when they are blocked by the bios whitelist does not recognize them and is very annoying In this case the problem is that the software is not sending the instruction correctly to the panel, you can try new drivers or some external software to control it from windows. Even better use linux like me and you will have a much happier life.

[@retrogameplus3838]

Did you ever update this video or mess with it more?

[@jjohnson71958]

i have the thinkpad t61 earlier model runs nice

[@MegaXtc11]

Hey Adrian. The problem doesn't exist on my T440p, I ordered the AUO B140HAN01.2, before the upgrade I had the crappy 1366x768 pixels and I can control the brightness on Windows 7. Bought a used T450 thinking I could do the mod with no problems but the problem you're describing occurs. So yeah, is disheartening to know the upgrade is not quite a succesful one. Definitely update us if you find a solution for this problem.

[@TurboBass]

"Absolute worst screen you can order" >1366x768 TN panel would like to know your location

[@pikara85]

What is this panel? I will need to replace mine and would love to get some insight about which to replace it with

[@terryraymond7984]

DId IBM and Lenovo merge?

[@EVANDROSAMPAIO]

Hi there Adrian, I'm from Brazil and I have a MSI GE40 (MS-1492 Barebone) laptop. It turns out its screen is damaged and I need a new one, and I don't want to order from China (Aliexpress) since I heard very bad feedbacks about the compatible chinese products, It seems most of the problems are related with poor lights and washed out colors. But It seems your screen has a very good quality (since is a compatible model) So my questions are: 1 - Who was the seller? Do you still have the name or any other information? 2 - Do you happen to know what's the difference between models B140HAN01.1 B140HAN01.2 B140HAN01.3? so on and so forth Thank you a lot for any info and sorry for my poor english

[@pavelpozdeev9748]

Does this screen use a PWM flickering on lower brightness levels? It's hard to see from video, but looks like it doesn't. And am I right, the manufacturer is AUO?

[@brendinemslie8226]

Is the lcd separate from the touch screen part? I picked up a used T450s with touch screen and it has a few hot spots from damage, Ideally I'd like to just replace the lcd with the cheap ones available on ebay but want to confirm that I can keep the touch screen functionality or if I need a special touch screen lcd replacement.

[@hagbard72]

Can't you adjust brightness in the Intel software?

[@cee128d]

Lenova does that with most of the hardware in their laptops.

[@mmbodnar]

Thanks for the video. I have a innolux panel with the wrong identifiers. We're you using i2c-tools to attempt the EDID override? I can change the data using i2c-set commands but it seems to reset whenever I reboot..

[@MichaelRusso]

Why double boot? Use Vbox for windows inside your Linux.

[@sj-zy7xb]

SAME PROBLAM HAPPMD IN MY COMPUTER IM USING LENOVO T450

[@sarba16]

Thanks for info I found a 400 nit panel on ebay thats listed as working with my t450s so I guess I'll just buy some sunglasses.

[@beaker15tyler39]

I never really had an issue with a ThinkPad screen. I don't do any color work or really ever look at it other then from straight on.

[@dormamo6917]

Is there 1080p available for e470? Where did younorder the screen?

[@kas130771]

did your laptop come with a smart card reader insert? or did you put your own smart card

[@kas130771]

(0:18)

[@sergeybekharsky6095]

Am I right: with Linux I will not face the brightness problem?

[@EVANDROSAMPAIO]

Nice video. Any chance you still remember the chinese seller? Thanks a lot.

[@hagif.4590]

you can use the pangobright utility under windows to control the brightness. I just checked it on X240 replaced screen with same brightness control issue www.softpedia.com/dyn-postdownload.php/761660584558be4d789a3bc08a832018/5b2b4dd3/3e2de/4/1

[@abdullahs3463]

Thank you really nice video

[@WilliamAndrewPhilipBodie]

by george ? is your name not Adrian ???

[@cm96yyc]

If I have the 1080p model and want to replace the screen, will I run into problems?

[@MegaXtc11]

If it's not a panel from Lenovo you will not get brightness contro

[@EvoPortal]

The PWM dimming already hurts my eyes

[@Eric-lw4ih]

It's terribly upsetting that there is no solution to this issue. The 1080p TN screen in my W550s is dreadful and cannot be changed to anything but a 3k screen, which is expensive and will cause scaling issues with many of my programs. Years ago the W series used to come with 95% Adobe RGB TN panels that really gave IPS screens a run for their money. It's really unfortunate that so many of us are stuck with either crap screens, or good screens with no brightness control.

[@terryraymond7984]

Thinkpad Laptops had a defect in the Internal IDE interface

[@Srikzquest]

Hi Adrian, Could you please go through this thread. Bryce from Intel has posted drivers yesterday upto Kabylake for overriding EDID. communities.intel.com/thread/25904?start=150&tstart=0 Check post no: 161 and please update us whether that resolved the issue. Thanks...

[@ApplepieFTW]

Srikzquest yeah let us know, that'd be real awesome. and it could fix your problem :D

[@QsTechService1]

Nice video 😀 Will this work on the T420 This Same screen ? Were you able to program the Flash memory on the screen ?

[@Ramdileo_sys]

Simple work around..... run linux.. and put Windows in a VM machine........ or install a preset potentiometer... in the power line of the backligth LED's..... to vary its voltage/brightness in old analog way...

[@KylesDigitalLab]

1440x900 is 16:10, T450s is 16:9. Seems like it had a 1600x900 TN panel. Honestly, I don't mind using a TN panel as long as the resolution isn't terrible, but IPS is just amazing even when you look at text. Also wow, that sticker thing is stupid, on the T440p there's just a bezel held in by snaps, you still have to careful not to break any snaps, but replacement bezels can be found for like $12 on eBay. Also, the 50 series introduced the stupid whitelist garbage. On the 40 series any 14" eDP panel will work. The current panel I have in my T440p is FHD IPS, and it's the LP140WF3-SPD1. I believe this panel was whitelisted on the T450, and has it's own Lenovo FRU. It looks much better than the AUO panels.

[@wastaxalid5846]

hi screen 4k for lenovo T450 Thinkpad tuch

[@kozapeluda34]

No

[@superspicytofu]

I'be heard that Lenovo got rid of the LCD whitelist in the bios, has anyone experienced this?

[@MegaXtc11]

Yeah, I put the AUO FHD screen a T450 refused to control brightness into a T460 and the brightness control in Windows works. Also on a T460p, I swapped the FHD to a WQHD (changing the video cable as well) and brightness also works.

[@ieatpcs]

MegaXtc11 did this effect battery life?

[@Some_1_Somewhere]

Thanks a bunch!

[@ROBINHOOD2098]

turn off the backlight in display setting in windows 10

[@marc2040]

Thanks for sharing.

[@walldoo99]

I have to wonder why you have an avatar of a mass murderer. Perhaps you know nothing about that psychotic POS. He was a doctor who took and oath to do no harm to any human, and then smashed in their skulls with a bat while they were on their knees. Sorry to get political and I don't blame Adrian a bit if he deletes this, but it makes me sick when people think this low life was a hero of some sort

[@TheMaevian]

Just use Linux?