Pressure Marks on Your Laptop Screen: Can They Be Fixed?

Two different things get called pressure marks. Bright blotches that show on the picture are pressure damage inside the screen, which can be permanent and may spread. Faint keyboard-shaped marks on the surface come from keys touching the screen when the lid is closed, and can sometimes be cleaned off.

Check it now with the white screen test

Which one do you have?

Bright blotch in the picture: A lighter patch, easiest to see on a white screen. Doesn't wipe away. See fixes
Keyboard-shaped marks on the surface: Rows of small marks matching the keys, most visible when the screen is off. See fixes

Fixes to try (easiest first)

Clean the screen properly
Screen off. Use a soft microfiber cloth with a little water or electronics screen cleaner on the cloth, never sprayed straight onto the screen. [1]
Stop pressing on the screen
Pressing too hard with a finger or an object can cause white spots, and the damage can become permanent if not addressed promptly. [1]
Put a cloth between keyboard and screen
Close the lid on a thin sheet or a microfiber cloth cut to size, so the keys can't touch the screen. [2]
Keep your hands and keyboard clean
Oil from fingers on the keys can transfer to the screen coating. Wipe the keyboard regularly with isopropyl alcohol on a cloth. [2]

Is it worth fixing?

Option	Price
PartsReplacement screen. Part only on iFixit, labor extra. Price depends on your model.	$34.99–$1,385.99 [3]

Surface marks are often cleanable and cost nothing. If the marks are inside the screen and don't fade, it's a hardware problem that needs professional repair or a replacement screen. Check your warranty terms, then compare a repair quote with the laptop's value.

Repair or replace? Try the calculator · Not sure this is your problem? Take the quiz

Sources

Last checked: October 21, 2026