A damaged graphics card in a laptop is one of the more challenging motherboard-level issues — but in most cases it can be repaired. At Apenfix in Warsaw, we diagnose the damage free of charge and repair the graphics card using reballing or by replacing the chip. Most such repairs take 1–3 days.
In short: Graphics card repair in a laptop involves reballing (re-soldering the same chip) or replacing the entire chip with a new one. The choice of method depends on the extent of the damage, which we determine during a free inspection. Most repairs take 1–3 working days, but replacing the graphics chip itself may take longer if we’re waiting for delivery from abroad.
Our experience
We repair laptop graphics cards at the BGA microchip level — this requires different equipment than a standard computer repair shop. We work under microscopes, on bottom-heating tables, with BIOS and KBC programmers, and oscilloscopes to verify power circuits. We record every repair in our internal service schematic database, so the experience stays with the company and doesn’t leave when a technician does.
Reballing or chip replacement — how we do it
In practice, we have two paths for graphics card repair. The first is reballing — we remove the damaged chip, apply a fresh layer of solder balls, and resolder the same chip back in place. The second is replacement — we remove the old chip and solder in a new one, either ordered from the factory or recovered from an off-lease laptop. We explain in more detail why the distinction between „reballing” and simple reheating matters so much in our article about the difference between reballing and reheating. If you’re specifically interested in chip replacement itself, see our page on graphics card replacement.
Which method we use depends on the board’s condition and chip availability. We always give honest advice — if a repair doesn’t make economic sense, we say so. We won’t suggest 'let’s try’ when we know it won’t work.
When you’re looking for graphics card repair
Clients come to our Warsaw service centre after searching online for things like: „laptop graphics card repair Warsaw”, „laptop showing coloured pixels on screen”, „laptop graphics card replacement cost” or „GPU reballing laptop”. If this describes your situation, below you’ll find what to look out for.
Objawy uszkodzenia karty graficznej
- Stripes and streaks on the laptop screen that don’t look like a typical system freeze
- Green or other coloured pixels visible in random places on the screen
- Coloured artefacts appearing during graphics-intensive tasks (games, video, browser)
- Laptop freezes or restarts under graphics load
The simplest way to check whether it’s the graphics card and not the screen — connect the laptop to an external monitor. If the artefacts appear exactly the same way, it’s a graphics card issue, not the display.
Apenfix technician
When graphics card repair isn’t worth it
- When the damaged chip is no longer available on the market
- When the repair cost relative to the laptop’s value makes it uneconomical
- When, in addition to the graphics card, the motherboard has other serious mechanical damage
We check each of these cases during the free inspection and tell you straight whether the repair makes sense.
How graphics card repair works at our service centre
1. Free inspection
We test the laptop with a lab power supply and measure current draw to locate the fault — this takes 5–15 minutes and is always free.
2. Extended diagnostics
If we need to confirm exactly which chip has failed, we carry out extended diagnostics — free if you decide to go ahead with the repair.
3. Reballing or chip replacement
Depending on the chip’s condition, we perform reballing or replace the graphics chip under a microscope, using a soldering station.
4. Three-stage quality control
The repair is checked by an Apenfix technician, then by the person issuing the job, and finally by you when you collect the laptop.
The repair time given above is approximate and depends on the laptop model and chip availability. The exact time and scope of repair are always determined after a free inspection.
Laptop graphics card repair — we serve all of Warsaw
We accept laptops with faulty graphics cards from clients in every Warsaw district — Śródmieście, Wola, Mokotów, Ochota, Żoliborz, Bemowo, Bielany, Ursynów, Praga-Południe, Praga-Północ, Targówek, Białołęka, Wawer, Włochy, Ursus, Wilanów, Rembertów and Wesoła — as well as from surrounding areas.
We have more than one location in convenient parts of Warsaw, so getting to us is quick and easy wherever you live or work. Our current service point addresses are listed further down this page.
Why Apenfix
Frequently asked questions
Is repairing a laptop graphics card worth it?
In most cases yes, especially in gaming laptops and higher-end business models. We always assess cost-effectiveness during the free inspection.
How long does graphics card repair take?
Most reballing repairs take 1–3 days. Replacing the graphics chip itself can take a week or longer if we’re waiting for the chip to be delivered from abroad.
Is graphics card diagnostics charged?
The basic inspection is always free. Extended diagnostics is free if you decide to proceed with the repair, and charged only if you decline — the price is stated upfront.
What if the diagnosis turns out to be wrong?
We guarantee even our diagnostics — if our diagnosis proves incorrect, we refund the cost.
Do you repair graphics cards in all laptop brands?
Yes, though parts availability varies between brands — Lenovo and Dell are easiest to repair, while in some Asus models component availability can be limited.
The cost of graphics card repair depends on the laptop model, repair method (reballing or replacement) and chip availability. Current rates can be found in the Apenfix price list.
Two service points in Warsaw
Visit whichever of our two locations is more convenient for you.
Location 1 — Wolska
Wolska 50A/Lokal 26
01-187 Warszawa
Location 2 — al. Szucha
al. Jana Chrystiana Szucha 1
00-580 Warszawa
See also
- Motherboard repair — when it’s worth it
- BGA Reballing
- Lenovo Cooling System Cleaning
- Laptop Overheating
