SCREEN
Dead Pixel Test
Fill your screen with solid colours and look for any pixel that does not change.
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About the Dead Pixel Test
A dead pixel is a tiny point on a screen that stays black no matter what the display is showing. A stuck pixel stays lit in one colour, usually red, green, blue or white. Both are easiest to see when the whole screen is filled with a single solid colour, which is exactly what this test does.
Press Start and the page fills your screen with black, white, red, green and blue, then a gradient and a checker pattern. Look carefully at each colour for any dot that looks different from everything around it. When you finish, tell us what you saw and we will explain what to do next.
It works on monitors, laptops, tablets, phones and TVs that have a web browser. The test runs entirely in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
How the test works
- Clean your screen first with a soft, dry microfibre cloth. Dust and specks can look just like dead pixels.
- Press Start. The page goes fullscreen where your browser allows it, or fills the window if it does not.
- Click, tap, press Space or the right arrow to move to the next colour. Press the left arrow to go back and Escape to leave at any time.
- Look at each colour for a few seconds, moving your eyes across every part of the screen, including the corners and edges.
- When the cycle ends, tell us whether you saw anything and read the advice for your situation.
Levels
Your score maps to one of 4 levels. These ranges are guides, not official standards.
| Level | Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just started | 0+ colours |
| 2 | Halfway | 3+ colours |
| 3 | Nearly done | 5+ colours |
| 4 | Full check | 7+ colours |
Tips to improve
- Turn your brightness up and dim the room so faint defects are easier to see.
- Look from close to the screen. Many stuck pixels are tiny and only visible at arm's length or closer.
- A dot that is bright on black but disappears on white is usually a stuck pixel. A black dot that shows on every colour is usually dead.
- If something looks like a speck that wipes off with a cloth, it is dirt, not a pixel.
- Test a new screen as soon as it arrives. Return and warranty options are usually easiest in the first days after purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel receives no power and stays black. A stuck pixel is always on in one colour. A hot pixel is a stuck pixel that shows white. Stuck pixels sometimes recover, while truly dead pixels almost never do.
Can I fix a stuck pixel?
Sometimes. Running a rapidly flashing colour pattern on the spot for a few minutes can free a stuck pixel. Some people also massage the area gently with a soft, damp cloth while the screen is off. Be careful: pressing hard can damage the panel. There is no reliable fix for a dead pixel.
Will the manufacturer replace a screen with a dead pixel?
It depends. Manufacturers have different policies, and many accept a replacement only above a certain number of faulty pixels, while others cover any defect during a short window. Check the warranty terms for your exact model, or ask the seller before you buy.
Does this test work on a phone?
Yes. Tap to change colours. Some phones show a banner or hide the fullscreen option, so you may need to swipe away any browser bars first. On OLED phones, dead pixels are easiest to spot on the black screen.
Why does the page go fullscreen?
Fullscreen removes the browser bars so a solid colour covers every pixel. If your browser blocks fullscreen, the test fills the whole window instead, which still works.
Do pixels get worse over time?
A single stuck or dead pixel usually stays the same. Panels can develop new defects with age or physical damage, so it is worth checking again if you notice something odd.