Forma is my kobo forma screen broken(horizontal and vertical line)

joedoe · 11-09-2020, 07:06 AM

got strange horizontal line and vertical line on the screen, it doesn't go away even after factory reset, not sure whether the screen is broken or something, did anyone have similar issue?

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mbovenka · 11-09-2020, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joedoe

got strange horizontal line and vertical line on the screen, it doesn't go away even after factory reset, not sure whether the screen is broken or something, did anyone have similar issue?

I have a similar vertical line in my screen. I can't see in your picture whether it's 'negative' (dark line on a light background, light line on a dark background) as it is with my Forma.

It's probably a screen driver issue. I'm living with it until it gives up the ghost completely.

robko · 11-09-2020, 07:08 PM

It may be broken, but looks like a controller problem. Is the vertical line completely straight or any curve/jag in it (would indicate broken)? You'll be able to tell when you turn it on and start flipping pages -- if it's broken parts of the screen won't update.
Of course, a controller problem could also be considered broken -- I'd say it's a hardware issue one way or the other.

hobnail · 11-09-2020, 08:02 PM

If it's under warranty I'd ask them if it can be exchanged.

The typical problem with a vertical line is a fuzzy one on the side by the buttons, caused by some design failure; it goes away if I turn down the brightness.

NiLuJe · 11-09-2020, 11:47 PM

The Forma uses a flexible plastic TFT, it wouldn't showcase the usual glass cracks shown on earlier... glass TFT when they... crack

.

That, on the other hand, could be a badly seated flex cable. Or something worse. So, yeah, if it's under warranty, call CS.

And, no, this has nothing to do with the Forma's famous frontlight sidebar of doom (because, first: duh. And, second, the frontlight is off on the "connected to a computer" screen).

joedoe · 11-21-2020, 05:26 AM

thanks all for the reply, i think this is definitely a hardware problem, it's not going away no matter what i do with the reset etc.., and now i got 2 vertical lines instead of 1, they are showing as negative line, similar to this one

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=334431

timisreading · 01-26-2021, 04:26 PM

My Forma developed the same problem yesterday. Two perfectly straight thin lines. One horizontal, one vertical. Have yours gone away?

Quoth · 01-27-2021, 11:41 AM

Either broken, or if you are very lucky the ribbon connection needs remounted.

NiLuJe · 01-27-2021, 11:43 AM

Remember that the Forma has a plastic TFT, so it's potentially more likely to be a badly seated cable than a broken screen than on other devices

.

EDIT: Oh, I'm parroting myself.

Nightflyer · 01-27-2021, 12:12 PM

How long have you had it? Can you return it easily?

I would be frustrated as he** if my Clara HD did that.

If it’s not constant, the I suspect only related to that situation, and not hardware. And not your concern to work on technical issues anyway.

I would take mine back and show them, and ask to replace unless sufficient explanation, well, because I can take easily back to the shop where I bought it.

JSWolf · 01-27-2021, 12:16 PM

I had a Sony Reader PRS-505 that had a vertical line show up on screen. Eventually, the screen under the line stopped updating and remained blank. It wasn't a problem screen. I would say a controller fault.

timisreading · 01-28-2021, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightflyer

How long have you had it? Can you return it easily?

Eighteen months. Still feels new to me, but long enough to be out of warranty.

I'm not excited about the prospect of opening it and checking for properly seated cables, but that seems like my only option right now. I've really enjoyed using this Kobo and I hoped for a much longer device lifespan than this!

Ripplinger · 01-28-2021, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timisreading

I've really enjoyed using this Kobo and I hoped for a much longer device lifespan than this!

Don't let that turn you away from Kobos or ereaders in general, it's just luck of the draw as with any electronics. I've got Kobo Glo HDs from 2015 that are still working perfectly. Although I don't use anything else now but the Glo HD, I've got Kobo Glos from 2012 and even Sony 350s from 2010 that are still like new and working perfectly. I charge them every 3 months or so just to keep the batteries good.

Mr. Nietzsche · 04-25-2022, 12:26 PM

Anyone mangaged to fix this issue by opening the device up and trying to reseat the cable? My Forma developed such a line a week a go and this bothers me way more than it should. Unfortunately a reset didn't help and it's out of warranty

Mr. Nietzsche · 05-19-2022, 07:15 AM

In case if someone is interested: I now opened up my Forma to see if I can fix the issue. The connector for the display flex cable seems to be fixed with glue, so a loose or shifted flex connector is very unlikely to happen. It also didn't do anything for my problem. Maybe I will be able to get a damaged unit and do a display swap.

11-09-2020, 07:06 AM	#1
joedoe Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: sony dpt-s1	is my kobo forma screen broken(horizontal and vertical line) got strange horizontal line and vertical line on the screen, it doesn't go away even after factory reset, not sure whether the screen is broken or something, did anyone have similar issue? Last edited by issybird; 11-09-2020 at 09:57 AM. Reason: Oversize image. Please read the guidelines on image size.

01-27-2021, 12:12 PM	#10
Nightflyer Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 2122502 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Asia (from USA) Device: Meebook M6, Kobo Clara HD	How long have you had it? Can you return it easily? I would be frustrated as he** if my Clara HD did that. If it’s not constant, the I suspect only related to that situation, and not hardware. And not your concern to work on technical issues anyway. I would take mine back and show them, and ask to replace unless sufficient explanation, well, because I can take easily back to the shop where I bought it. Last edited by Nightflyer; 01-27-2021 at 12:17 PM.

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11-09-2020, 07:08 PM	#3
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	It may be broken, but looks like a controller problem. Is the vertical line completely straight or any curve/jag in it (would indicate broken)? You'll be able to tell when you turn it on and start flipping pages -- if it's broken parts of the screen won't update. Of course, a controller problem could also be considered broken -- I'd say it's a hardware issue one way or the other.

11-09-2020, 08:02 PM	#4
hobnail Running with scissors Posts: 1,582 Karma: 14328510 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: none	If it's under warranty I'd ask them if it can be exchanged. The typical problem with a vertical line is a fuzzy one on the side by the buttons, caused by some design failure; it goes away if I turn down the brightness.

11-09-2020, 11:47 PM	#5
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047190 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	The Forma uses a flexible plastic TFT, it wouldn't showcase the usual glass cracks shown on earlier... glass TFT when they... crack . That, on the other hand, could be a badly seated flex cable. Or something worse. So, yeah, if it's under warranty, call CS. And, no, this has nothing to do with the Forma's famous frontlight sidebar of doom (because, first: duh. And, second, the frontlight is off on the "connected to a computer" screen).

11-21-2020, 05:26 AM	#6
joedoe Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: sony dpt-s1	thanks all for the reply, i think this is definitely a hardware problem, it's not going away no matter what i do with the reset etc.., and now i got 2 vertical lines instead of 1, they are showing as negative line, similar to this one https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=334431

01-26-2021, 04:26 PM	#7
timisreading Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2021 Device: Kobo Forma	My Forma developed the same problem yesterday. Two perfectly straight thin lines. One horizontal, one vertical. Have yours gone away?

01-27-2021, 11:41 AM	#8
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,659 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Either broken, or if you are very lucky the ribbon connection needs remounted.

01-27-2021, 11:43 AM	#9
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047190 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	Remember that the Forma has a plastic TFT, so it's potentially more likely to be a badly seated cable than a broken screen than on other devices . EDIT: Oh, I'm parroting myself.

01-27-2021, 12:16 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,009 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I had a Sony Reader PRS-505 that had a vertical line show up on screen. Eventually, the screen under the line stopped updating and remained blank. It wasn't a problem screen. I would say a controller fault.

04-25-2022, 12:26 PM	#14
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	Anyone mangaged to fix this issue by opening the device up and trying to reseat the cable? My Forma developed such a line a week a go and this bothers me way more than it should. Unfortunately a reset didn't help and it's out of warranty

05-19-2022, 07:15 AM	#15
Mr. Nietzsche Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2019 Device: Kobo Forma	In case if someone is interested: I now opened up my Forma to see if I can fix the issue. The connector for the display flex cable seems to be fixed with glue, so a loose or shifted flex connector is very unlikely to happen. It also didn't do anything for my problem. Maybe I will be able to get a damaged unit and do a display swap.

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