How Long Do Monitors Last? [Computer Monitor Lifespan]

It is important to know how long monitors last so you know when you should consider replacing them. How long do monitors last?

On average, a monitor that is used for about 8 hours a day should last from 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This is the equivalent of 10 to 20 years of service life.

The factors that determine how long a monitor lasts include how often it is used and how well it is cared for.

Monitors, especially LCDs, usually last a long time. If your PC monitor can get past its first five years with no pixels going awry, you’ll still be able to utilize it for many more years – as long as you properly take care of it and if you don’t overuse it.

Read on to learn more about how long a computer monitor will last, what you can do to make it last longer, and the most durable monitors available in the market today.

How Long Do Monitors Last?

Computer monitors typically last from 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This is the equivalent of 10 to 20 years. If you use your computer eight hours a day regularly, this is the monitor’s life span that you can expect.

The marked difference in service life can be attributed to several factors, such as how you’re using the monitor, how you maintain it, and other related things. Computer monitors, especially the LCD types, have very long service lives.

If your monitor can get past the first five years of its life, you can expect it to give you more years of service. But that will really depend on how you use it and the care and maintenance you will give it.

While you cannot really tell how many years you can use your computer monitor, it is safe to assume that it can last for three to four years or even more.

Of course, as the years pass by, you may opt to upgrade your monitor and go for a faster unit. You may also want a monitor that has a higher resolution while your old monitor is still useful.

Factors That Determine How Long Monitors Last

How long you can use your computer monitor will largely depend on how well you care for it.

Below are different factors that can prolong or shorten the life of a computer monitor.

1. Brand Name

The more established the brand, the better its build quality and the longer its service life. So, if you spend more money to buy your current monitor, the longer you will be able to use it. Cheaper brands are that way because they generally use cheap parts.

But they won’t last as long as those made with reputable but more expensive parts. Reputable brands have a reputation to maintain and protect. They cannot produce monitors with cheap parts because they won’t last long. That will ruin their reputation. 

2. Strong Build

If the build quality of the monitor is good, you can expect it to last long. Monitors with better build quality tend to be more expensive, but they will also usually last longer than monitors that are shoddily made.

3. Durable Components

Better brands use better and stronger components. If your monitor is composed of good quality electronics, screen, wires, and all, you can expect it to last long. Their electronic components are better able to withstand the rigors of regular usage.

4. Hours of Usage

Electronic devices are just like humans. They also need sufficient rest if you want them to last and be useful for a long time.

How long does a monitor last? If you are a heavy video game user, you can’t expect your monitor to last for years if it is not a good quality brand.

And if you couple your heavy use with irregular care and maintenance, it will break down and won’t reach its intended service life.

How long do computer monitors last with regular usage? If you use your monitor for about 8 hours a day, it should last for about 30,000-60,000 hours of usage. If you use it more often each day, it won’t last as long.

5. Quality of Care

The quality of care and maintenance you give to your monitor will greatly affect the monitor’s lifespan.

If you are religious in your cleaning and maintenance schedule, your monitor will provide you a long service life. But if not, you can’t expect it to last many years.

6. Planned Obsolescence

It is an unfortunate fact in these modern times; all products are designed with planned obsolescence. Nearly all manufactured products, from cars to cellphones to computers, have their planned schedule of demise.

In other words, no matter how conscientious you are in using and maintaining your monitor, it can only go so far because it was designed that way.

There will really come a time that you will be forced to replace it because one or the other part is already failing and it can’t be repaired or replaced any longer. You just have to buy another more modern unit.

How to Make Your Monitor Last for as Long as Possible?

Buying a good quality monitor is the best assurance that you will be able to use it for many years. But you still have to be responsible for making it last longer.

What is your part in prolonging the life of your monitor? Here are some ideas:

1. Keep Your Work Area Stable, Clean, and Safe

Where you put your monitor will significantly affect its longevity. If your work table is located in a high traffic area, there’s a great chance that somebody will accidentally hit it with their hands or their elbows.

And if you have an unstable work table, the monitor could fall to the floor, and you know what will happen.

The best way to extend the monitor lifespan is to ensure your work desk is stable and far from other people.

2. Don’t Place Liquids Near the Monitor

It’s understandable for you to get thirsty while doing your work for many hours on your computer. But keep your glass or bottle of water or soda away from the monitor and the keyboard.

You or just anyone can trip the glass, and its contents will find their way inside the monitor and keyboard.

3. Use a Surge Protector

Using a surge protector will considerably extend the life of your computer monitor. Plugging the monitor directly into a convenience outlet will subject it to the sudden fluctuations of current that occur several times during the day.

These abrupt changes in current are detrimental to the life expectancy of the electrical components and the monitor as a whole. You can control and regulate the flow of current on your monitor by using a surge protector.

4. Don’t Block the Air Vents

Modern computer monitors are composed of solid-state electronics. However, they also heat up when used for long hours continuously. That is why monitors have multiple air vents to dissipate the heat generated from the inside.

See to it that your monitor is placed in a spot where its air vents are free and open. Don’t let anything block these vents, or you will block the heat that is continuously building up inside the monitor casing.

If dirt and dust accumulate on the vents, use a small vacuum cleaner or even a brush to sweep away this debris.

5. Don’t Switch It On and Off

Switching your monitor on and off unnecessarily several times a day will adversely affect its components. They will be subjected to sudden power charges several times during the day.

Electronic components need time to settle so that they can operate at their optimum level.

If you always turn the monitor on and off, its internal components won’t be able to operate efficiently throughout the time. After some time, some of these components may even fail and break down completely.

6. Schedule Cleaning and Maintenance Regularly

Sticking to regular cleaning and maintenance will go a long way in extending your monitor’s service life. This is an easy task that you can easily perform.

A weekly schedule is not really necessary. At least a once-a-month cleaning schedule will be enough.

How long do monitors last? The usual lifespan of monitors ranges from 10000 to 30000 hours, equivalent to 10 to 20 years. This depends on various factors such as its brand, how well you maintain it, among others.

Additional Tips for Making Your Monitor Last

Prolonging your expensive monitor’s life is not very difficult because of its pricier components and high-quality build. A cheap monitor is harder to care for and maintain. 

It would help if you also were more religious in taking care of your expensive monitor to protect your investment.

1. Clean the Monitor Properly

To clean your monitor the right way, get a clean and soft cloth, and dampen it with water. It is much better if you will use a special screen-cleaning tissue or liquid designed for antistatic coating.

Don’t use any detergent. They will leave a milky film on plastics.

Some white powder substances may be present near the edge of the bezel or on the plastic parts of the monitor.

Wipe them off with the dampened cloth. Be careful not to scratch the plastic materials as you wipe the dirt off.

2. Set the Screen Saver to Five to Ten Minutes

Set the screen saver of your monitor to turn on after five to ten minutes that you have gone idle. This will save power consumption without turning your monitor on and off frequently, which is detrimental to its components.

3. Turn the Monitor Off If You’re Going Out

If you are out for a long while, turn off your monitor. Backup programs may kick in while you are out. The monitor will think that someone is still using the computer.

4. Set the Screen Saver to Solid Black

Setting your screen to solid black will save on power. This will also reduce the light and will result in the tubes and LCD bulbs to last longer. It can also help to mitigate burn-in.

You may opt to use a “blank” screen saver. This will also achieve the same purpose.

5. Adjust the Screen’s Brightness Level

If your eyes are not particularly dim, don’t set the monitor’s brightness level to the extreme. Putting it on its maximum intensity will only make the bulbs burn out faster. Set it at the right level and then adjust the gamma setting or the color.

6. Ensure That All Components Are Securely Connected

Check all the monitor connections to the CPU or the external power source. All electrical cables should be properly plugged in and not folded or pressed.

Most Durable Monitors on the Market

You will have less concern in your hand if you choose to use a monitor made by a reputable manufacturer. Here are some of the most reputable brands of computer monitors available in the market today.

This list was taken from the monitor brands mentioned by forum contributors on the net. And, they seem to be the brands that last longer:

1. Dell
2. Fujitsu
3. Acer
4. Samsung
5. BenQ
6. LG
7. HP
8. Apple
9. Sony

These monitors can come as part of a package. You can also buy them separately if you want to build a hybrid computer system with your own particular specifications. The above brands are included in the list based on their reputation as manufacturers of long-lasting monitors.

Other parameters can classify monitors as the best in their class. For example, some monitors are the best for entertainment, the best for content creators, the best for gaming, the best for business workers, and so forth.

Conclusion: How Long Do Computer Monitors Last?

Most monitors that you can buy on the market can last from 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This is equal to 10 to 20 years of service life. If you will use a brand new monitor regularly eight hours a day, this is the life span that you can expect.

The significant variation in life expectancy can be attributed to several factors, such as usage, quality of care, brand, among others.

To maintain it properly, you can schedule monthly cleaning and maintenance. Make sure the air vents are also not blocked.