# New uConsole- Screen image but no backlight **URL:** \ **Category:** uConsole\ **Tags:** help, uconsole, cm5\ **Created:** [August 12, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173 "2025-08-12T14:18:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/1 "2025-08-12T14:18:11Z")
Hi all, I have received and built my uConsole! I opted to jump straight to a CM5 with the CM5116000 and some passive cooling. It is awesome, and I can’t wait to spend more time using it… Unfortunately, my screen backlight doesn’t work at all. HDMI out works perfectly and has been my primary way to interact with the system (Which kind of defeats the purpose). I’m sure that the issue is related to the backlight because the desktop can be seen on the uConsole display when a flashlight is aimed at just the right angle. I’ve scoured this forum and followed troubleshooting steps which were suggested for others who were experiencing display issues, but none of them have solved my issue. If the post contains the words “screen”, “backlight”, or “display”, I have probably read it. Some of the things I’ve tried include: - Re-flashing Rex’ bookworm image and others (multiple times, multiple SD’s, multiple methods including official raspberry pi flasher, dd, etcher, GNOME disk tool, others) - Removing and re-seating all hardware components - Swap power supply & batteries - Test both with and without 4g/speaker board or hackergadgets AIO installed. - I even reached out to [Alex@clockworkpi.com](mailto:Alex@clockworkpi.com) because I believed that my display was defective. Alex was amazing and promptly shipped a replacement, but I’m disappointed to say that the new display has the same issue. Since the display itself doesn’t seem to be the problem, I have ordered a new mainboard, but I don’t know how long the wait could be. I am posting here with the hope that someone may have a suggestion that could solve my display backlight issue sooner than later. If anyone is willing to help, I’d greatly appreciate it. I am happy to take a look at any links or suggestions. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![white-round-square](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/white-round-square/32/10385_2.png) [@white-round-square](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/white-round-square)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/2 "2025-08-12T14:35:03Z")
[alex@clockworkpi.com](mailto:alex@clockworkpi.com) [help@clockworkpi.com](mailto:help@clockworkpi.com) ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/3 "2025-08-12T14:59:26Z")
If you can see the faint image of the desktop on the display but no backlight. Then everything should be hooked up correctly and I suspect it’s a problem with the screen. I’d email Alex at the email above and request a new screen. ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/4 "2025-08-12T22:41:58Z")
Thanks- I reached back out to Alex after the new screen had the same issue. Waiting for an update. ---
**Author:** ![white-round-square](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/white-round-square/32/10385_2.png) [@white-round-square](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/white-round-square)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/5 "2025-08-12T23:22:20Z")
may be the motherboard then. hope alex will help you to figure it out! ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/6 "2025-08-13T23:22:03Z")
I’ll go ahead and attach some photos just in case anyone can identify an issue. ![ip_291](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/c/cfab21800bcf927be91c2d958d1ab6744cf1ae8b.jpeg) ![ip_289](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/8/8040d0df181b8371b3439372f849a9e1c24b280f.jpeg) ![ip_290](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/3/35cdd8203f7187912712042caea37002f2c0c5a6.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Shemida\_Fernandes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/shemida_fernandes/32/10681_2.png) [@Shemida\_Fernandes](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Shemida_Fernandes)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/7 "2025-08-13T23:45:21Z")
Maybe a display manufacture defect. ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 12:45am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/8 "2025-08-14T00:45:25Z")
That was my thought with the first display, but the second display exhibited the same behavior. If someone has the spec sheet for the screen and/or can tell me which pins are power for the backlight, I could test it with my benchtop power supply… ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/9 "2025-08-14T00:52:00Z")
Did you use my package or the setup instructions from hackergadgets to set up your SDR card? There are a few issues with the online instructions for the cm5 that will cause the backlight to not work. If you used the instructions on the web to set it up, try flashing a new SD card and see if you get backlight. If that’s not the issue the schematics for the main board are on the clockwork GitHub, you can get the relevant power pin from that. Besides that since you already have a new screen I’d replace the main board next. ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 1:05am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/10 "2025-08-14T01:05:40Z")
Actually, just yesterday afternoon I used your package to install everything for the AIO board. The only change I needed to make to config.txt was to add dtparam=uart0. On that note, thanks for all of your contributions to this community! Your positive attitude, patience, and descriptive responses to questions asked by others on this forum have helped me gain a better understanding of this device. I’ve tried flashing fresh images to multiple different SD cards. All have been able to boot, with HDMI allowing me to validate that everything else works as expected. Thanks for the tip about the mainboard, I’ll check it out! ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/rex/32/16852_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/11 "2025-08-14T01:12:03Z")
My pleasure! Ah, ok I wasn’t sure when the problem started for you. I seen the SDR card and hoped it would be a easy fix. [Here’s the schematics for the main board.](https://github.com/clockworkpi/uConsole/blob/master/clockwork_Mainboard_V3.14_V5_Schematic.pdf) Good luck fixing it! ---
**Author:** ![white-round-square](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.clockworkpi.com/white-round-square/32/10385_2.png) [@white-round-square](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/white-round-square)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 7:26am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/12 "2025-08-14T07:26:00Z")
> [@CaesiumArc](#): > > Since the display itself doesn’t seem to be the problem, hey, it won’t help probably, but can you please run : ```bash $ sudo brightnessctl s 9 ``` ---
**Author:** ![potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@potato](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/potato)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/13 "2025-08-14T21:10:54Z")
Hello, I have the same issue, got my uConsole 5 months ago. Same symptoms. Unfortunately, I can’t wrap my head around schematics, so I don’t even know where to start debug the problem. If you find a solution, please write it in this topic. ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/14 "2025-08-14T22:16:04Z")
No dice. Here’s the result: ![ip_294](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/a/af9a2dc0d940e60b0d2cbe1f2ca7b637cea1383c.jpeg) ![ip_295](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/3/3f240048fa6e5bac98426066b8e2ab57c42ffcc2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@potato](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/potato)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 9:39am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/16 "2025-08-15T09:39:12Z")
I found a loose component in my parts box, and there’s an empty spot on the mainboard where it looks like it belongs (D301). The spot is on the back of the board. Check out your mainboard ![dfsdfsdf](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/3/3a2d9400018bd697e18d60860e3992ccf582bd88.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 10:01am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/17 "2025-08-15T10:01:33Z")
Sure enough, Diode 301 is missing on your mainboard- Part of the screen backlight circuit: ![Screenshot_20250815_050022_Firefox](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/0/0ca42784e8a14df8f3451c85e4e83792ba85b294.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@potato](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/potato)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 10:08am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/18 "2025-08-15T10:08:06Z")
I soldered it back and…the backlight works!!! Is your diode in place? ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/19 "2025-08-15T10:24:54Z")
I plan to spend some time inspecting the mainboard and testing the screen tomorrow morning. Congrats on getting your backlight working! ---
**Author:** ![CaesiumArc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@CaesiumArc](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/CaesiumArc)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/20 "2025-08-16T12:53:42Z")
Sure enough, my mainboard is missing diode 301. Unfortunately, I was not able to locate it in the original box… ![ip_300](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/clockworkpi/original/2X/5/5234418f1f0828ed7c462720f666abc7027d4290.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@potato](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/u/potato)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173/21 "2025-08-18T12:01:41Z")
Try to find it in the place where you unpacked and assembled the device (also check the gaps inside the box), personally I found this component completely by accident. It is very small, 1x1x2mm. If you do not find it, then perhaps you should contact support and ask them to send mainboard or this component (or at least give the full name of the component). [Next page](https://forum.clockworkpi.com/t/new-uconsole-screen-image-but-no-backlight/19173.md?page=2)