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iMac screen – cracked, black, lines or backlight failure

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Quick answer

iMac displays have been bonded in place since 2012, so a screen replacement requires specialist equipment to unbond and remount the display. Common issues are physical cracks, vertical lines, backlight failures, and 'image retention' on 5K Retina displays. We perform iMac screen replacements on every model with the right specialist tooling.

What kind of iMac screen fault do you have?

iMac screen faults are often more expensive than MacBook screen faults because the displays are larger and bonded into the chassis. The diagnosis drives the price — so it’s worth getting a correct diagnosis before deciding.

1. Cracked glass/LCD. Visible physical damage. The whole display has to be replaced.

2. Black screen at boot. Test with an external display. If the external works, it’s the iMac display or the flex cable.

3. Vertical lines. Almost always hardware. Rarely software.

4. Backlight failure. Shine a torch on the screen in the dark — can you make out a faint image? Then it’s the backlight, not the LCD itself. A less expensive repair.

5. Image retention. Check via Apple’s “screen burn-in test”. Transient is normal; permanent requires a screen replacement.

Where can I get the iMac screen replaced?

We specialise in iMac screen replacements. We have the specialist tooling to unbond the display without damage, original and quality-approved screens in stock for every iMac model from 2012 onward, and we provide a warranty on the repair.

Apple’s iMac screen replacements typically run DKK 8,000-15,000 (or “we’ll replace the whole iMac” for newer models). We’re typically 30-50% cheaper and only replace what’s actually broken.

How to test whether the issue is the screen or the logic board

⏱ PT5M

  1. Listen for the boot. Press the power button and listen for the chime and fan noise. If you can hear the iMac start, the logic board is probably working.
  2. Connect an external display. On Intel iMacs (2011-2014): use Target Display Mode (Cmd+F2) or a Thunderbolt cable to another Mac. On newer models: connect an external display via USB-C/Thunderbolt.
  3. Check for lines or flickering at boot. Restart and see whether the symptoms appear at the Apple logo (before macOS has loaded). If yes, it's hardware.
  4. Test the backlight. In a completely dark room: shine a torch onto the screen and see if you can make out a faint image. If yes, the LCD is fine and it's only the backlight that has failed — a cheaper repair.
  5. Book a diagnosis with us. We diagnose for free if you proceed with a repair.

Frequently asked questions

What does a new iMac screen cost?
Between DKK 3,000 and DKK 7,500 depending on model — DKK 3,000-4,500 for the iMac 21.5'' Intel, DKK 3,500-5,500 for the iMac 27'' Intel, DKK 4,500-6,500 for the iMac 24'' M1/M3/M4, DKK 5,500-7,500 for the iMac 24'' M4 with nano-texture (more expensive part). See the current price for your model at macmo.dk/reparation. Final price after a free diagnosis.
My iMac screen has vertical lines — can it be repaired?
Lines are almost always a hardware fault: either in the LCD panel itself, the T-CON board (Timing Controller), or the flex cable between display and logic board. We diagnose this in 30-60 minutes and can in most cases repair it by replacing either the flex cable (DKK 1,500-2,500) or the entire display (DKK 3,000-7,500 depending on model). See current pricing at macmo.dk/reparation.
What is 'image retention' on the iMac 5K Retina?
Image retention is when static elements (the menu bar, dock icons) remain faintly visible even when the image changes. It's a known characteristic of the LG IPS panels used in iMacs. Transient retention disappears on its own. Permanent retention (after years of use) requires a screen replacement.
My iMac screen is black but I can hear it boot — what is that?
First test with an external display via USB-C/Thunderbolt (if your model supports Target Display Mode or has Thunderbolt). If the external display works, the fault is typically in the iMac display itself, the flex cable, or the internal display path on the logic board (all three are repairable at our workshop). If the external display also doesn't work, it's definitely a logic board fault.
Can I replace the iMac screen myself?
Technically possible with specialist tools (suction cups, a thin plastic pizza-cutter to slice the adhesive, a heat pad to soften the bond). In practice, the risk of damaging the screen, antennas or flex cables is high. We have the specialist tooling and typically do the operation in 1-2 hours.