Why Your iPad Looks Wavy on a White Background (and What Actually Fixes It)
On a white page you see ripples, shimmering, or uneven bright patches. On videos it seems fine.
This isn’t your eyes. It’s how light diffuses inside the LCD stack. Here’s what causes it, how to test, and smart repair options.
- What you’re seeing: non-uniform backlight diffusion showing as waves or patches on light backgrounds.
- Common triggers: prior humidity/liquid exposure, internal heat ageing (heavy charging/old battery), low-quality or previously opened panels.
- DIY checks: white test screen at 100% brightness; compare cold vs warm device; gentle brightness sweep 0→100.
- Fix: panel module replacement with quality parts; rule out power/connector issues; stop heat and humidity habits.
This isn’t rare
We see iPads and Android tablets where the screen looks normal on colour content but shows waves on white. The pattern escalates over time if the cause stays.
What customers say
- “On Safari or Notes, the white areas look like water ripples.”
- “Worse after charging or when the tablet feels warm.”
- “Brightness changes make the pattern dance.”
Inside the display
Beneath the glass and LCD are optical films: polariser, diffuser sheets, light guide, and reflector. If any sheet lifts, warps, or gets contaminated, backlight becomes uneven. White exposes it because the whole panel relies on uniform diffusion.
Root causes we actually find
- Humidity or prior liquid exposure: Moisture in the optical stack alters diffusion and leaves waves on bright backgrounds.
- Internal heat and ageing: Long high-brightness sessions, charging while covered, or an ageing battery raise temps and shift films/adhesives.
- Previously opened or low-grade panels: Some modules ship with poor uniformity or misaligned films that white screens reveal fast.
Three quick checks
- White screen test: Open a plain white image at 100% brightness. Look for stable patches or moving waves.
- Cold vs warm: Re-test after 15–20 minutes of charging/gaming. Worse when warm → heat-related diffusion issues.
- Brightness sweep: Slide 0→100. Step-like jumps or banding hint at backlight/power uniformity problems.
What fixes it
- Full display module replacement (LCD+digitiser) with vetted uniform panels.
- Connector/power rail inspection if ripple comes with flicker.
- Battery health check when patterns correlate with heat or charge cycles.
Re-laminating optical films isn’t reliable for consumer devices. A quality module wins on uniformity and longevity.
Prevention
- Avoid charging under blankets, in cars under sun, or in thick cases during gaming.
- Keep liquids/cleaners/sprays away from bezel gaps.
- Use certified chargers; cap brightness indoors; enable auto-brightness.
- If the tablet was previously opened, demand quality modules with uniformity checks.
Need a quick uniformity diagnosis? Same-day checks in Auckland Westgate or Christchurch.
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FAQ
Is the ripple dangerous?
Can software updates fix this?
Will a screen protector help?