IPS Glow is a phenomenon where the corners of the screen emit a glowing light that you can see in the dark with dark content in the background. It mostly happens with an IPS panel caused by excess light passing through the display panel. IPS glow is present in almost every IPS display that you see in the market to date. So, if you’re having second thoughts about purchasing one, you should be aware of the consequences. However, it can be reduced to some extent if not completely. However, it really depends on the user how they see the problem.
This is a common issue we see on most of the IPS panels and can be reduced to some point. Compromising the brightness and the level your screen hangs on is an efficient way of reducing the effect.
Causes of IPS Glow
The reason you see IPS Glow in your monitor is mostly that it is a manufacturing defect. It is a technological issue and can never be eliminated completely. IPS panels are the main causes of IPS Glow. It requires light to be emitted from the background panel to be able to showcase images on the screen. While doing this some of the excess light passes through the screen which causes IPS Glow.
A panel consists of various layers such as inner layer housing and anti-glare coating which is prone to defects. In fact, it is already decided if the panel has come with a defect or not in the manufacturing process itself. If the panel is well built then it has only minor issues and vice versa. But the thing is the problem cannot be unseen.
Backlight Bleed vs IPS Glow
IPS Glow and backlight bleed may cause a huge bummer when it comes to the purchase of a monitor or any IPS panel device. Both the issues may seem similar in terms of giving problems to the user but they are quite different. The glow is where there are patches on the corners of the screen whereas, backlight bleeding is the light leaking from the edges of the screen.
IPS Glow, on one hand, cannot be solved permanently but can be prevented to some extent, whereas backlight bleeds, on the other hand, can be solved with some measures.
IPS glow is dependent on how you view the screen on the panel frame and also the ambient lights around you. However, backlight bleed is almost seen as a force applied to the screen which then looks like a bright light that is been leaked from the edge of the screen.
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What Does IPS Glow Do To Your Monitor?
In most cases, IPS Glow doesn’t harm your monitor or the patch doesn’t spread over time. The only thing that IPS Glow will do is discomforts your eyes when you’re working in a dark environment with dark content on the monitor. IPS Glow happens very often and the owners might not even notice it quicker.
The only thing you can do to prevent IPS Glow fully is by warranty claim which can be used in order to replace your monitor. In several cases, people just tend to ignore the patches because you can do nothing about it, or sometimes just avoid using your monitor in such hard case scenarios.
How To Test IPS Glow?
Testing your monitor for the IPS Glow issue is very crucial. It might cause you big trouble if you’re not aware of the consequences it brings in the long term. You can immediately ask for a replacement just in case you find the issue to be severe but for that, you need to know how you can test the monitor.
To test the IPS Glow, you need to be in a very dark environment where the only source of light is your monitor. The darker the room, the better chance of knowing how much IPS glow is visible. It’s a rare condition where IPS glow is visible during normal light conditions and sometimes you can even see it when the environment is fully lit.
Secondly, when all the lights are turned off and the room is pitch dark, turn on your monitor and open a dark image. When the image is lit by the background light of the IPS panel, you can see the four corners of the screen with an unusually bright light. This is when you know your screen has an IPS glow. If not, you’re safe to say that your screen doesn’t have this issue. But for the most part, there is an IPS glow in an IPS panel to some extent whether it be a minor one or a big one.
How To Fix IPS Glow?
If your monitor or any other device has a mild IPS glow problem you can apply these steps to minimalize the effects to a point where it no longer bothers you.
Increase Natural Surrounding Light
When you’re working in a well-lit surrounding, the lesser the chance you face the issue. So, one easy step you can follow to reduce the amount of discomfort is to shift to a bright room where the screen has to be faced. Moreover, in some monitors, you can manually adjust the contrast of the level of the blacks to hide more of the glow.
Lower The Brightness
People tend to set their screen brightness to a level where it is totally unnecessary especially in dark conditions. If your room is dark then the brightness of your display should also be controlled to a much lower level. Doing this will help prevent the IPS glow as well as help protect your eyes. Lowering the screen brightness to minimal won’t affect since the surrounding is also dark.
Tilting The Monitor
If you’re one of those many users who like to make use of the full brightness of the monitor then tilting your monitor is another way to go. By doing this you can minimalize the effect of the glow. Simply adjust the screen height and tilt to a certain degree. Now, open up a dark image and test where exactly the glow effect is less visible to the eye.
Maintaining Distance From The Screen
While you follow the earlier step of tilting your monitor. You can adjust the seating position yourself by maintaining the distance from the screen. Increasing the distance between you and the screen helps to reduce the visibility of the glow. It might seem a bit off when you do it for the first time. However, sitting between a distance of about 80 to 120 cm away from the monitor has proven to minimalize the effect of the glow. Hence, the farther you are from the screen, the less noticeable is the glow.
Loosen The Frame Of The Display Panel
Sometimes the frame you’re provided with from the company might be manufactured in the wrong way. This might be one reason for IPS glow. Adjust the screen frame and check simultaneously to a point where it is less visible to the eye. Make sure to be careful with the inner panels of the frame because you might end up creating a big mess.
The second thing you must be aware of is dirt. Small particles might get stuck while the process is still on. This may lead to possible malfunction and may cause the screen to even backlight bleed. This is the most challenging step and must be carried with caution.
Try Using Microfiber Cloth
If none of the steps above works for you, the last thing you can do is using a microfiber cloth. This step doesn’t guarantee or sometimes doesn’t help a user at all but you can at least try. Firstly, take a microfiber cloth, make sure it is not a rough piece of clothing. Using any other any other material might scratch your display. Secondly, gently rub the corners of the screen for about 20 to 30 minutes until you start seeing any changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Reduce IPS Glow?
IPS glow can never be eliminated but can be reduced to some level. It can be done by adjusting the brightness, tilting your monitor, or by adjusting the frame of your device.
Is IPS Glow Normal?
Yes, it is pretty common in IPS panels and every single unit that comes with one has one.
Is IPS Glow And Backlight Bleed The Same?
IPS glow is a manufacturing defect where the corners of the screen emit light that failed to pass through the middle. Whereas, backlight bleed is the patch you see on the edge of the screen. It occurs when the display frame is too tight and can be prevented in most cases.
Conclusion
IPS glow is a common issue we see on IPS panels. Every IPS panel that is being made till today has one. But you can always end up testing and replace the ones which have major visibility. But if there is only minimal effect on the screen, it is better to just follow simple rules and make the visibility less. As you cannot completely eliminate the effect. The best way to get the minimal effect is by claiming your warranty. That is if there is any major issue in the first weeks of the purchase.
