How to Degauss a Computer Monitor

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Last Updated: October 5, 2024

Degaussing a computer monitor clears electromagnetic buildup from the screen. Although it is hardly ever necessary, degaussing can sometimes slightly improve picture quality.

This only applies to CRT type monitors: LCD and Plasma monitors never need to be degaussed, because they are not CRT based monitors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using the Monitor

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Most modern monitors degauss themselves automatically each time they are powered on. When the monitor is turned on, you should hear a distinctive "dwoing" sound. If you hear no sound when you turn the unit on, it may not degauss itself automatically. If that is the case, proceed to the next step.
This may be combined on an EXIT button. Otherwise, locate the menu button on the front of the monitor.

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You should now hear the degaussing noise, and the screen will probably display a brief burst of color.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Soldering Gun

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Hold the soldering gun so that the rear of the case is toward the screen (the tip is facing away from the screen at a 90 degree angle)
Move it slowly to the top edge (or any edge), then slowly around the outer part of the screen (but still in front of the glass) until you return to the top (or the edge you moved out to), again slowly return the gun to the center of the screen.
Keeping the gun on, slowly pull it straight away from the monitor until there is no more distortion visible (usually 3-4 feet), then turn the gun off (it is helpful to create a full-screen white image in MSPaint to display while doing this as it makes the discoloration very easy to see. Ctrl + F in MSPaint (which can be found in Accessories) displays the image in fullscreen mode.)

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a Plugpack Transformer

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1
If you don't have a soldering gun, or your soldering gun produces little or no distortion on your screen, then you can try using a plugpack transformer (like the ones that power some children's toys, or cordless phone base stations) on the end of an extension lead.
- Some plugpacks (usually the lighter ones such as mobile phone chargers) will not work; being a switching power supply (SMPS), they have different circuitry that does not produce a significant magnetic field.
- Follow the instructions in the Soldering Gun method above, using the plugpack in place of the soldering gun.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Rigged Drill

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1
Get a magnet and tape it to the end of a high RPM drill and make sure it is held in place very tightly, use Duct or packing tape.
- You could also use a small electric fan. The motor creates the same magnetic field as the drill. When you turn on the fan hold the back of it onto the screen. From then you can go on from step 4.
Hold the rigged drill next to the spot to be fixed, make sure it is about 2–3 centimeter (0.8–1.2 in) away from the screen.

Community Q&A

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Question

What does the monitor do when you use the degauss function? Does it re-calibrate?

Denneisk

Top Answerer

It activates the degaussing coil inside, which does the process automatically.

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Tips

If you are still having trouble - check the area near the monitor for magnetic sources such as unshielded speakers.

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LCD and Plasma monitors never need to be degaussed, because they are not CRT based monitors.

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You can degauss an older monitor (or even a CRT TV) if you have a newer monitor (with degauss) nearby. Have the older monitor directly in front of the newer one (as close as you can facing each other - and both of them must be turned on), then degauss the newer one. You would see that both of them will be degaussed!

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Warnings

Do not attempt to open a CRT monitor. If your monitor does not degauss automatically, there is no "menu" button to be found, and no button combination is provided on the user's manual, the monitor is probably an older model. You cannot degauss such monitors (with the exception of the case below) without opening the case. Capacitors in all CRT monitors contain 25,000+ volt charges that can be fatal if touched, even after being unplugged for weeks. Degaussing is not important enough to open up a monitor. Television repair centers have the adequate equipment and expertise.

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If you have an annoying discolored corner of your screen, you can sometimes degauss it back to normal with a Weller-style soldering gun. Just pull the trigger to the "high" setting, and move the case near the corner until it looks right and it stays right when you pull the gun away. Just be careful not to burn yourself, or your monitor/TV! Bear in mind that this could possibly damage your monitor.

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Degaussing a monitor repeatedly can cause damage to the monitor that is far more severe that the discolorations the process is meant to solve.

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Using two magnets, one in each hand, can solve this issue and done carefully, a television can be degaussed with them.

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Never use a magnet to degauss your screen. This will most likely ruin it forever, due to the continuous polarity of a normal magnet. The soldering gun method works, due to the rapidly changing polarity of the magnetic field.

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