Fix Missing Numbers or Unreadable or fading Time / Display / LCD

[@kenwebster5053]

Just a few things that I have found over the years. For black rubbery looking contacts, alcohol is correct. For dulled metallic contacts, I'd use Deoxit cleaner conditioner, because this leaves a semi conducting residue on the metal contact that seals it against oxidation & promotes conductivity. This is a much longer lasting solution than simply cleaning the metal contact with alcohol, only to be exposed to the air again. Also, I have found that whatever cleaner you use, using a paper cleaning pad is much more effective than cotton at removing metal oxide films & restoring lasting conductivity without roughening the contact surface. Yes, paper is a but more abrasive than cotton, but still leaves the metal contact polished. Doing it this way tends to give a more reliable & durable fix on the 1st attempt. Also, when reinstalling screws, I gently turn them backwards until I feel the screw drop into the threads, then do them up, knowing the the threads are properly engaged. This detail means the equipment remains serviceable much longer as you don't end up with stripped threads all over case and mounting posts. It possibly doesn't matter with something that size, but I tend to just get all the screws fitted loose & check everything is aligned before nipping any up for the final time. It just allows the parts to settle in evenly together.

[@MuhammadFarooqKhan-24]

I have done same many times as you did but you demontrate in a precised and deep manners. Thanks to shared your live demonstration. Excellent

[@nimeano1223]

Thank you!!! It was really helpful! I had a second hand stepping machine, and the step counter lcd didn't show the numbers correctly, I had it almost half a year now and planed to buy a separate step counter, because it was quite uncomfortable to carry around my phone just to count my steps. Now it works again!!! Thanks for saving me the money and to teaching us such a usefull skill!:D

[@jacquelinecrawley4117]

Brilliant! Thank you, Dan, for teaching us how to restore the display on a digital clock. Your step-by-step descriptions were outstanding. Very thoughtful of you to adjust our view so that each image was clearly visible. The world needs more educators like you!

[@DesiFern]

Thanks for posting this! The LCD on my OXO Digital kitchen scale was having the same issue, and your fix worked for me too! You helped me save money and prevent electrical waste! 🙌

[@gloomy5487]

The way you describe the process is exemplary. The smooth and logical flow of words makes it very easy for me to follow what you are doing, and I think it is also the main reason why so many other people enjoy the video. Well done.

[@emmacasey3787]

Thank you kindly! Watched this an hour or so ago, and then went and took the bathroom scales apart ... success. My readout is back. Woohoo.

[@janaholmberg2271]

This video was very helpful, my LCD clock in the kitchen was not properly displaying the date. All I had to do was take the back off and tighten up some of the screws inside and now it works perfectly, I didn't even have to take it apart any further to clean any of the contacts. Thank you sir.

[@brianperkins4155]

Thanks, Dan. I have a York rowing machine. The screen has been gradually fading until it was no longer readable. I tried to get a replacement, but the best I was offered was a replacement machine, which would cost me around A$750. I applied your techniques, and it now works like new. It wasn't hard, but I took your advice to note everything carefully as I was pulling it apart. I used computer cleaner rather than alcohol for the cleaning, but the alcohol you suggested would probably have worked just as well.

[@iliasgkotsidis3204]

I have the same problem with a concept2 model b and i am going to try this to the pm2 screen

[@MathFromTheGut]

I like the thoughtful way that he goes through this and picked up some useful tips along the way, like putting a towel under where you are working to catch screws. :)

[@DeeHinz]

With this video took all of a minute for me to fix the display of my small digital cooking thermometer. Thanks!

[@ayegnoissasim5205]

Thank you, Using the steps in this video I was able to fix a faded screen on a new scale I just bought ( lost receipt). The cobra strip became disconnected upon display removal. I just lined it back up and placed display glass back on; then applied slight pressure while screwing back in place. Works perfectly!

[@Nilmoy]

he's so gentle that it's amazing to see him touching it at all.

[@michaeldaruwalla8717]

Thanks for explaining things so clearly and patiently.

[@maggieprice3688]

Thank you! I fixed my treadmill console following your video. It's working now!

[@ahmedmousa4342]

Wow It's wonderful when a lady working with electric or electronic devices repairing cause almost women fear to touch any electricity even 12 volts batteries 😃😃😃

[@BlueHearts-nf6rj]

​@@ahmedmousa4342 agree😅

[@pixxelpusher]

My alarm clock has recently started missing segments in the numbers. Taking it apart revealed that it uses a plastic tape connection, not a zebra pad. So I thought directly heating up the LCD panel may help fix it. So whilst still apart I heated up the LCD panel with a fan heater on high for around 5-10 minutes whilst intermittently lightly massaging the panel. I had batteries in it at the same time so I could see any changes. And to my surprise it worked! all the missing bits came back. So if your device uses a plastic tape connection try blasting the LCD directly with a high heat.

[@j.lietka9406]

When you used the hot air, did the LCD panel tend to warp? Thank you

[@pixxelpusher]

@@j.lietka9406 No didn't warp at all. Like mentioned I only used a small fan heater so it only got to about 20-25 degrees celsius. I thought of using a hair dryer, but thought that would get too hot. And I didn't leave it for very long always checking on it, and like mentioned moving it around. I think the heat and directly rubbing the LCD panel was enough to get it all flowing again. Unless it was something else that I inadvertently done to make it work but I don't think so. Also, the LCD screen is still working fine now 2 weeks later.

[@j.lietka9406]

@@pixxelpusher cool! Thank you again 🤓

[@keithlatham4500]

Um, case crews and circuit board screws.

[@robertpage2023]

I had to fix the display on a volt/ohm meter that I used your guide to clean the contacts but I was missing some of the characters and found that it needed more pressure which I fixed by adding a spacer between the plastic back and the board right behind the display. I'd add small thin washers on yours at each screw to spread out the pressure on the board for a more consistent and constant contact on the board and the glass connector. Thank YOU!

[@nasrinesnas82]

Thank you for this very clear video. Many would just toss the clock and buy a new one, but this video is really educational- I am trying to fix the LCD screen of my BMW instrument cluster (over $1000 with issues of mileage transfer codes). So ideally I’d want to fix it and not replace the whole cluster. This gives me the confidence to open it up and give it a good try!

[@nummerzwei35]

Tell us the result

[@nummerzwei35]

My problem solved as I resolder the loosing leg of the lcd on the board

[@munez2502]

Hello, can you tell how you did it? I have exactly the same problem with the dashboard of my citroën which is displaying fragmented numbers of mileage

[@nesnas]

@@munez2502 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXvPma2pg71omqssi=cIA4E0jsDDDNqNLq

[@w8lvradio]

A well done video that also may explain "The Mysterious Case of the Missing Digits" in all displays of this type! Sometimes the Yaesu 450-D amateur radio transceiver has this "ghosting" problem, and ditto for many multimeter displays, including both the cheap AND some pretty expensive ones that come with yellow plastic cases. 😂. So your fix may possibly work in these cases as well! I'm going to be using a lot less cotton swabs in the future, I do wonder about microfibre vs the cotton shirt. I've also played with that rubbery and yet conductive interface as part of the autopsy of failed or junk devices. I believe it is called a "zebra" connector, and I think it alternates a rubber insulating material and a conductive material, though I can't figure what the conductive material is actually made of. 100% right on about either you fix something or not, either way you learn more. And wow this is such a simple fix! All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL

[@nisonlikethecar]

Thank you so much! This finally taught me how to fix those LCD displays with a conductive pad!

[@jescreet1]

Thankyou, just fixed my clock with the help of your video, problem was the display went off when the temperature dropped. When it warmed up in the sun in the window, the display worked. So I assumed it was related to expansion, somewhere in the circuit, so tried cleaning the LCD as in your video, and it appears to work. Hopefully it stays on when the temperature drops.

[@SeptemberPicK]

Thanks for your video. Fixed an old, but expensive multimeter with a LCD display problem. I was about to trash it, but your video saved it.

[@MuhammadHasan-gz4qi]

You have explained the procedure very nicely. Tell me if there is erosion on either side than what should be the line of action. Thanks

[@grampa6670]

You saved me $40 bucks! Your instructions are spot on. Thanks man!

[@Don.Challenger]

Yes, the first attempt (test fixes should proceed from easiest to harder, usually in terms of how much disassembly is required) is reseating batteries and if necessary replacing batteries typically with non rechargeables to test then fully charged rechargebles to redeploy if the previous made the display work. Once inside and noting the wire harness was where you pressed and achieved contact and also noting those protruding screws, I would have tightened those screws down to see if that produced a fix, if not then digging deeper into the mechanisms as you immediately proceeded (of course you did that to provide a complete tutorial. For success: carefully note and remember the step by step disassembly process, so you can reverse that at reassembly time, and keep friendly cat off the work table and keep windows closed to prevent wafty winds at bay. Of interest is most people would consider this device to be electronic, but note all the purely physical components - fasteners and conductive pressure fit contacts as functional parts not just casing or encapsulating the machine - hence my use of 'mechanism' (though it's no where near being a mechanical clocklike device where powering is via springs (compression release), pendulum (gravity), user presses, turnings and crankings).

[@b.h.9045]

Just watched this and fixed my digital hydrometer.... Thanks!

[@gordbaker896]

Great tutorial, especially having a white fluffy bench cover so stuff does not roll or bounce away.

[@R0CKAFELLA]

PRO Tip; Playback at 1.5 times regular speed

[@JC021963]

2x since that's the fastest possible unfortunately

[@iamthiviyan]

@@JC021963 🤔🤔

[@rashednewaz7645]

My default KZbin speed 1.5x, but for this video 2x selected.

[@crazypiratesquirrel3038]

Thank you! :D

[@ThePsho]

I do that for almost every DIY video. It makes sense to create the videos slow paced though, because the people that need it slow are probably also the people less likely to know about video speed control on KZbin.

[@marcb7647]

I have one of this digital clock and with the same problem as this one. Now I know what to do. Thank you so much for sharing this very helpful video. Good work!

[@elioenaipatricio4621]

This video was very helpful, my LCD clock in the metronome Dolphin WMT-555C. Thank you very mach, you are the best. Congratulations !!!!!

[@joesophie90]

I'm going to now attempt to fix my old casio liquid crystal watch from 1982. Thanks so much for this video.

[@autumnleaves8553]

Did it work?

[@REXXSEVEN_II]

There is a video that talks about changing the polarization film OR possibly a bad capacitor when it comes to those old digital watches.

[@dawbool9552]

Thanks a lot for this instructive video and your calm manner of explaining. I've got an older alarm clock with fading digit parts. I'll try to fix it as presented. Does it make sense to replace the zebra strip if necessary?

[@CiscoWes]

Good way to keep so much discarded items out of landfills. Sometimes it’s just a simple fix like this that can breathe life back into an electronic device that’s old but still quite functional.

[@I8qtpie]

Thank you! You helped me fix a small timer for my kids!

[@mohammadyahya4542]

U helped me a lot my clock was doing the same shannigons.... Thank you so much

[@jamesbarrow8012]

Hi Dan, excellent video. i have an old school pager, and my numbers are fading. How can i fix this in such a small screen please?

[@barbaraprpich9167]

Thanks. Very clear concise info. Now a favorite clock has been restored. Appreciate your help.

[@gregaravnik6957]

Good job. CONGRATULATIONS! 😍❤️💯👏🥇

[@YogiBethC]

Thank you; I took my clock apart but wasn't sure what I should adjust. I don't have the rubberized part though - mine has more of a plastic wired ribbon that is the connector. Would I approach differently?

[@INeverWanted2010]

I have an old General Electric alarm clock with this issue, it's an LED screen though not LCD. Do you have any suggestions for that?

[@velona509]

Thank you for the handy instructions. It helped.

[@nasertarbieh1443]

لكم الشكر هل يمكن استعمال البنزين للتنظيف بدلا من الكحول

[@Brian-yt8fu]

Thx I often Todd stuff like this bot my wife expects me to fix everything. I fixed our walk clock it was a cheap one but fun. Took out the gears sprayed WD 40 on them but silicon spray is best. WD-40 makes a lubricate product.

[@ver64]

The rubber connector is call cebra strip👍🏻👍🏻

[@Anotherdaynparadise]

The right way to write your comment is "The rubber connector is called Zebra strip" 👍👍

[@ildarmingazov2304]

Зебра

[@christienelson1437]

Because it looks like a zebra’s stripes.

[@glennlopez6772]

Thanks! The bottom row of units of my clock have a dark cast masking them in parts. Untill I get the time to deal with it, I can read the figures using a torch. I have done this before and hope I can reclaim my clock! Another clock came back to life all on its own!

[@ExMuslimProphetMuhammad]

Thanks 👍 just repaired my clock in 5 mins

[@chunboy88]

Thanks for your video, I now know what caused it and how to fix it.

[@Sampardhanani]

Hoping the reverse lcd works on the same principle... Having a similar. Issues on a braun clock.

[@scottfirman]

For the price on much of those type of electronics, people just throw them out and get a new one. We live in a throw away society today. I have fixed so many upright vacuum cleaners that just needed a new belt and a good cleaning. It is good to see someone fixing something that can be fixed. I usually give it a try, if I cannot fix it, it goes in the junk.

[@halweiss8671]

Worst case scenario, it still doesn’t work. He had nothing to lose by trying.

[@George-py9bt]

Thanks for the informative video. I have a small travel clock that does the same. Will open it and try to clean contacts.

[@jesus20yr]

Whenever I take the screws out I put them in the same pattern it will be removed from the item helps me put them back in the right place

[@WhiteShadow230]

Thanks for this. Repaired my 14 year old clock, very different clock but it was the same issue 👍🏻

[@isagreg8482]

Can home dry cleaner used to clean the contacts or it's only alcohol

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

And I am trying to do this on a wrist watch, lol! I know it probably wont work, and would be pretty cheap to get another one, but it's kinda fun!

[@rufino07]

Great job Dan! Thanks!

[@montirautoelectrician5301]

I have the same problem with my multi tester display, i was clean like yours tips but nothing happen 😢, what should i do next

[@rramsi]

What is the name of that white colour sheet Back of the display Please anyone tell me

[@adarshprakash6473]

Im ur 600th like😍😍

[@loninappleton]

This was good. Like watching Mr Carlson's Lab for radios. I'd like to see another video for one of those really small kitchen timers. I bought two: one with the LCD problem and one for backup. I'm using the backup already after a week.

[@edghlover7535]

this is the best love story ever. better than lion king

[@milanmihajlovic7746]

Es hat geklappt, vielen Dank!! It worked, thank you very much!!

[@ranasaab5824]

Great video man but i just wanted to know that is it possible to repair the same issue of my motorbike digital panel?

[@absbse]

My led clock half of the digits sometimes it goes bright to normal then sometimes it goes very dim what could be the issue please ?

[@mroplok-othok2888]

Keep your spirit from Indonesia

[@NsndoBrasil]

Mine yesterday I went to check the time and it was stuck at the beginning it was like this year = 2000 date day and temperature it stopped and I pressed the SNOOZE button the screen got out and it came back to normal do you know anything how to solve this? Mis a question, Is his Alarm the song that plays when you reset the clock?

[@karenmeyer3619]

I have that problem with my display on my whirlpool stove, any suggestions?

[@rodolfoplasencia9739]

Something else you can do. If after cleaning with only a paper or nylon rag, make sure there's no fiber left to bother contacts and you tight the screws and yet find problems in connections, get a thin file, if possible metallic, and give the female surface where the screws get in, a pass or 2-5 good passes. Basically you will be lowering the top or high end of the females and, once you place the screws back you'll tight them more, making contact better stronger, just do it nicely, as I say, don't get emotional. I have a feeling you are not the gent that get emotional meaning will be roughly tighting this things back but I say it for the purpose of the rest of the public. And if possible tight them with the batteries in, and the device on if there's a button to turn it on so once you see the numbers starting to show up you will be having an opportunity to either leave the connection right there or tight it a slightly 1/4 turn and finish assembling it. Some may want to add a little nail paint just a tiny dab to sort of a side of the screw head to add lock tight feeling for years to come, something you can cut remove in case you have to review it later on, wait 5 minutes until is dry, close it and you may got it fixed.

[@REXXSEVEN_II]

Excellent comment and I didn't know about the nail polish trick for the screws.

[@143BLT]

What if the numbers work but NOT when you look at it straight on? Only can seen numbers from an angle. Clock and batteries are new :(

[@kafuiadio661]

Can you make a video for a wrist watch

[@paingain100]

Now that I've identified the problem what type of repair service would I need to contact?

[@superboy3229]

I fixed it a few times and sadly it’s still cutting the digital number in the scale TAYLOR. It isn’t worked.

[@localmail23]

May kadio digital clock time move fast. After 2 month it make 3 minute difference. If any soloution pls give me.

[@Christmasbicbac009]

Please help my watch has this can you give me the tutorial??

[@oscarpan9755]

Good job, I think I can start to follow the same to repairs my car speedometer, suppose same solution possible to fix number display issue

[@sublinker1711]

This could be a a five minute video lol

[@sublinker1711]

This could be a a five minute video lol

[@xxgalaxykittyxx3889]

Hello brother,well I got a problem here like that too,well my watch is newly buyed and it is a sports digital watch and after a few minutes at home the numbers and the date just started glitching and fading like crazy.But I'm probably sure it needs another battery,right?

[@user-hv5em1fx8f]

Hi I have one of these and it is great the problem I have is re setting after changing the batteries . I set it up but later the time changes to 1 hr ahead . We are on British summer time . I have it set to English . . How do I stop it changing please :) Thanks

[@biomedmsff]

Thanks Dan

[@radekkulik5436]

Thanks, very usefull video 🙂

[@Pfirtzer]

Does this apply also for the lcd digitalwatch>?My casio is missing the first digit,not very clear.

[@XENOLgacy]

I appreciate this, now I can fix my 3D printer screen

[@RagdyAndy]

ive done this and put it back and now there is nothing displaying at all!!! what am i doing wrong?? please help

[@Kmcgurl_1]

Thanks for the video, I was wondering about my display for my treadmill and how to fix it lol

[@captd80]

That’s how I got here.

[@Kmcgurl_1]

@@captd80 nice!! I hope it worked for you! 😎👍🏽I had to melt the wax or hot glue gun liquid holding it together before I could reset mine.

[@maxcarnarge9233]

Wow I had a digital scale with the screen and I got water into it so I opened it up and cleaned out the water and I tried to put the screen back into place and I couldn’t because there are little strip of that pink and black foam so I took it out and put the screen back on it worked but the screen wasn’t displaying the numbers so I found the pink and black foam from the bin put it back inside and bam it worked. I just lined it up with the center! So suprised

[@jesus20yr]

Thanks I’m gonna try this out on my digital kitchen thermometer. I might not just toss it after all

[@ahmedmousa4342]

Thank you for this video it's really useful 👍👍

[@davew5383]

Very Interesting, Great to know for future reference👍🙂

[@kaizen_overcall]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I fixed my own alarm clock!!! Good as new 😊

[@nathanielpeterson5380]

Bravo Zulu.

[@tomthackston1442]

Those enelopp batteries are rechargeable and only 1.2 volts each,

[@عمارأبودي]

هذه الحالة شاهدتها عشرات المرات خلال ممارسة مهنتي تصليح الساعات و طريقتك هذه تعطي نتيجة في مثل هذه الحالة و لكن على الأغلب لا تكون ناجحة أتمنى لو كان هناك مزيد من الطرق لإصلاح هكذا أعطال

[@KedrickRob]

thanks! very instructive, think I have solved it on y second attempt!

[@グレープフルーツ-w5c]

I have this clock keeps terrible time constantly have to add a minute or two. Runs slow.

[@grimstitchfactory4683]

I have an small old Westclox 509540 digital bedside clock with snooze button etc. The display is red LED. Great in low light and at night but in daytime, the time display isn't exactly bright red and from 10 feet away... you'd need to get closer to see the time. Is this normal, or do old LED clock LED lights fade over time?

[@adamsucksatyt]

It is normal for LEDs to fade after a long time on.

[@paulfaulkner6299]

Now I know how they work, I won't thow the next one away - I will clean it!!

[@TheSilvercrow16]

how about when the display very dim really hard to see

[@sloopycat1954]

Hidanthetechnologyman & Everyone i have a washing machine with faded and missing lettering on my washing machine digital control panel, PCB i think it's called, can someone please help me so the letters & numbers are visible again, I think it has ribbon connectors, would cleaning thé connectors make letters & numbers visible again, thankyou in advance. Great video thankyou.

[@madamecampsalot6384]

So awesome! Thank you!

[@notetivanobisukae2365]

How fix The side of the number is a black point.?

[@wpiofm]

My 2010 Ford Ranger radio display quit showing. I opened it up and I don't see any row of contacts. Anyone been in one of those?

[@angusmacsac]

It's called a "Zebra" strip It's that rubber thin connector strip