IPS Glow vs Backlight Bleed: How to Tell the Difference

Both show up on dark pictures. IPS glow is a whitish glow in the corners that changes or disappears when you look straight at it. Backlight bleed stays visible from any angle. Lenovo treats bleed on its IPS laptops as within specification.

Check it now with the black screen test

Which one do you have?

IPS glow: Whitish glow in the corners; fades when you move your head to look straight at that spot. See fixes
Backlight bleed: Light leaking at the edges or corners that looks the same from any angle. See fixes

Fixes to try (easiest first)

Do the angle test
Show a black screen in a dim room. Move your head so you look straight at each corner. If the glow disappears, it's IPS glow; if it stays, it's backlight bleed. [1]
Lower the brightness
Turning brightness down reduces the leaking light. [2]
Add light to the room
Glow and bleed are hardest to see in a well-lit room. [2]
Use lighter themes and backgrounds
Light content hides both effects. [2]

Is it worth fixing?

Lenovo says part replacement isn't required for this on its IPS laptops, and Intel says bleed can't be eliminated completely on IPS screens. If it's severe on a brand-new screen, contact the seller or manufacturer quickly.

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Sources

Last checked: October 21, 2026