Can static electricity brick my monitor?

So it's quite dry here in the winter, and I have a fabric chair, which causes an audible static discharge when I stand up. Sometimes it kinda hurts too, but it's only mildly annoying at most. I do use a humidifier which helps, but not 24/7.

Anyway, when this happens, one of my two monitors (AORUS FI32U) turns off for a second and then back on. Again, it's not a big deal, but is it possible for it to actually harm the monitor? Or other hardware, for that matter, that may not be showing external symptoms

Thanks!

Static can brick anything. And faster than people expect. A shock coming from your outlet will USUALLY be prevented by circuits designed to, either in the device or the electrical grid. Static? Nah fam, that shit is wild.

Edit: from your specific scenario, I would say the monitor circuit is getting overloaded, and likely resetting itself, by design. Who knows how many times it can do this before being damaged, but it seems like it has a circuit to handle this built in.

I have the same problem. I have a footstool that generates so much static in the winter when my feet move across it that one of my monitors puts itself into standby, even if I don't touch the monitor or anything connected to it. I suppose the electric field strength must be incredibly high.

It's worrying, but modern electronic devices are much better protected against static than they used to be, so it's probably not too bad.

yes it can damage it. Often they are protected by diode(s), which after enough strikes will break down and then the circuit is not as protected. If static is causing the function of a device to change then it is striking a point that is not protected. i have to ESD test all my designs at work and what i use as a sign that it needs improved is any apparent effect that shows when it gets zapped. A power cycle means it is likely charging a pin on the micro that is regulating the power supply.

Not to panic you but it is something you should try to remedy instead of letting it happen. Could try some anti-static sprays for your chair.

One of our other electrical engineers is the same way, he can generate massive amounts of static no matter what he does, it is problematic when he's working on prototypes haha.

Are you touching the monitor or not? Doesn't matter much, both are possible:

It's rare but I've seen static discharges (without touching the monitor) that cause interference with all sorts of devices including screens. If you search "static discharges cause interference monitor" you'll find results too.

A long time ago I also read about the gas pistons being a possible source of ESD as they move about. So it could also be that and not just the fabric, but I'd be doubtful here.

You have some easy options, add a grounded bit of metal somewhere - if you're barefoot you could have it on the ground, or at your hand, metal desk, etc.

Thanks for the responses! I'm not touching the monitor at all, simply standing up to leave, and it happens. Sometimes also as I sit down. It's gotta be the friction between the pants and the chair somehow.

You have some easy options, add a grounded bit of metal somewhere - if you're barefoot you could have it on the ground, or at your hand, metal desk, etc.

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I have no idea how to set that up, but spraying the chair with an anti-static spray seems pretty straightforward and cheap, is that an option then? How often would I have to do it?

Magix said:

Thanks for the responses! I'm not touching the monitor at all, simply standing up to leave, and it happens. Sometimes also as I sit down. It's gotta be the friction between the pants and the chair somehow.

I have no idea how to set that up, but spraying the chair with an anti-static spray seems pretty straightforward and cheap, is that an option then? How often would I have to do it?

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Anti static fabric spray should work, probably apply monthly since it'll wear with body moisture, friction, etc but isn't being washed off. I'd just leave a can on the desk and when you start getting staticy when you get up for the night, spray it so it's drying while you sleep.

I had that happen a lot with my Alienware AW3420DW when I'd take off my jacket or hoodie and put them down on the file cabinet next to my desk.
The left edge of the monitor is about 2 feet from the file cabinet I lay my jackets on.
I gave the monitor to my brother last year and I am guessing it still works great as he hasn't mentioned anything about the monitor.
I now have an Alienware AW3423DW OLED and I can't recall if this went to black with static discharge like the other one, I am pretty sure this one hasn't done it.

I wonder if those chokes you put on cables will help, maybe one on the power and display cable and see if that helps.

If you live somewhere really dry you need to just invest in rigging up a little grounding bar to touch when you sit down. I have a little bar I mounted just underneath my desk, and I just touch it after I sit down. I discharge, and can then safely touch my computer without zapping anything.