Can Magnets Permanently Damage an LCD?

How Magnets Affect CRTs

While LCDs are immune to magnets, the opposite is true for cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays. In the past, most televisions and other displays used CRT technology. CRT displays are defined by their use of an electron gun. They contain phosphor-based compounds for their pixels. When turned on, an electron gun will blast these phosphor pixels with electrons, thereby illuminating them.

CRT displays use a magnetic field to control the direction of the electrons. A magnetic field guides the electrons so that they land on the appropriate phosphor pixels. If a CRT is exposed to a magnet, it will disrupt the CRT's magnetic field.

Magnets can permanently damage a CRT. It will change the path of the electrons, resulting in visual distortion. After being exposed to a magnet, a CRT may have a permanently bright or dark spot. Alternatively, the CRT may fail to produce any color in the affected area. The magnet will disrupt the CRT's magnetic field, thus preventing the electrons from reaching the phosphor pixels.

LCDs don't use an electron gun, nor do they use a magnetic field. They simply use a layer of liquid pixels with a backlighting component. As a result, LCDs are immune to the effects of magnets. You should still try to avoid placing magnets near your LCD, but you can rest assured knowing that a magnet won't damage it.

Magnets are found everywhere. Many computers, smartphones and speakers contain magnets. Fortunately, they won't harm your LCD. Only old-style displays, such as CRTs, are susceptible to damage from magnets.