Do monitors wear out over time?

Monitors can degrade over time depending on how you use them and the environment within which they are being used. By design, most monitors can last up to 20 or even 40 years depending on the underlying technology that was used to create them. In today’s article, we will discuss the topic of monitor longevity and how often you should replace your monitors. Let’s dive in!

How often should you replace monitors?

Monitors don’t last forever, so you will have to replace yours every after a couple of years. Despite being designed to last over 20 years, it is always best to replace your monitors every five years. There will usually be some new exciting and essential monitor features and technologies at least every three to five years. Such features may include higher resolution, refresh rate, or color accuracy that can significantly smooth your user experience or boost your productivity. 

You may also decide to upgrade the monitor if your new computer has display ports that your old monitor doesn’t support. For instance, people still use 10-year-old monitors that only support VGA video input. But remember, all computers released in the last couple of years don’t have VGA ports. In such scenarios upgrading the monitor is inevitable if you want to take full advantage of the display capabilities of your new computer.  

How long does an LCD screen last?

LCD screens are designed to last around 10 to 20 years. I know people who have 15-year-old monitors that still work fine. Of course, the longevity of your monitor largely depends on how you used it and the environment it is being used. For example, if you are the kind of person that uses their monitor outdoors, its lifespan will greatly be reduced due to the constant heating effect of direct sunlight. 

If you want your LCD screen to last long, always use it within a temperature range of 0 to 320C. This is the temperature range that most manufacturers recommend. You should also avoid keeping your monitor at maximum brightness if you don’t need to. As you make your computer brighter, more energy is consumed hence leading to more heat production. Remember, heat is one of the major enemies of your monitor’s longevity. 

Other user behaviors such as overclocking the monitor can also affect its longevity. 

Do LCD displays wear out?

LCDs do wear out after being used for a couple of years. Even if you use it in perfect conditions, its LED backlight will at some point start dimming due to age. The half-life of most LED backlights is rated between 60,000 to 80,000 hours (20 to 30 years). That means after using it constantly for those hours, its max brightness will be about 50%. 

The power supply and some other components of the monitor’s logic board also wear out over time. These could lead to problems like the monitor not turning on or displaying blinking/flickering images. 

How do Monitors break?

Monitors will usually break when they encounter significant physical impact. Your monitor’s display could get cracked if it accidentally falls down to the floor or when it is hit hard by a physical. To avoid physical damage, ensure your monitor is sitting in a comfortable position on your table. 

Final thoughts

Monitors do wear out with time just like any other electronic device. However, signs of wearing out will usually appear after many years if the monitor is properly handled. If you follow the best usage practices, your monitor could easily last more than 30 years before malfunctioning.