A tiny dot on your screen that never changes can be distracting, especially on a new monitor or laptop. Dead pixels and stuck pixels look similar at first, but they behave differently, and one is more likely to be fixable than the other.
How a pixel works
Each pixel on an LCD or OLED screen is made of smaller subpixels, usually one red, one green and one blue. Mixing their brightness creates almost any colour: all on gives white, all off gives black. On an LCD, each subpixel is controlled by its own tiny transistor. A pixel fault happens when one or more subpixels stops responding and stays off or stays on.
What is a dead pixel?
A dead pixel stays dark all the time. It does not light up, whatever the screen is showing. It is easiest to spot on a white or bright background, where it appears as a small black dot. On a black background you won’t see it at all.
Dead pixels usually come from a fault in the panel itself, such as a transistor that has failed. Because of this, they are generally permanent: software can’t bring them back.
What is a stuck pixel?
A stuck pixel is lit when it shouldn’t be, because one or more of its subpixels is stuck on. It usually shows as a single bright red, green or blue dot, or sometimes a mix such as yellow, cyan or magenta. It is easiest to see on a black or dark background.
A pixel that is permanently white (all subpixels stuck on) is sometimes called a hot pixel or a bright pixel.
Stuck pixels are more likely than dead pixels to respond to the methods below, but there is no guarantee, and some never change.
Rule out dust and smudges first
Before testing, clean the screen. Turn the display off, then wipe it gently with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth such as a microfibre cloth. A speck of dust or a dried drop of liquid can look very much like a faulty pixel. If the dot moves or disappears when you wipe it, it was not a pixel fault.
How to test for dead and stuck pixels
The simplest test is to fill the whole screen with one solid colour at a time and look carefully for dots that don’t match.
- Set the screen to full brightness and view it straight on.
- Show a full-screen white image. Look for dark dots (dead pixels).
- Show full-screen black. Look for bright or coloured dots (stuck or hot pixels).
- Show full-screen red, green and blue in turn. A subpixel that is stuck off or stuck on will stand out against these colours.
- Move your eyes slowly across the screen in sections, including the corners and edges, rather than trying to take in the whole screen at once.
- Note the position of anything you find, and take a photo if you might need it for a support request.
You can run this test with the dead pixel test on our home page. It steps through 12 full-screen screens in your browser: nine solid colours (black, white, red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow and grey), then a grey gradient to check for banding, a checkerboard, and a final black screen for checking backlight bleed in a dim room. If your browser can’t switch to full screen, the test fills the browser window instead and tells you so. On an iPhone, web pages can’t hide Safari’s toolbars completely, so turn the phone to landscape, or add the site to your Home Screen and open it from there, for a bigger view.
Can a stuck pixel be fixed?
Sometimes. Here are the approaches people commonly try, from the safest upwards. Evidence that they work is mostly anecdotal, and some manufacturers, such as Dell, advise against pixel-fixing software and pressure methods and don’t support them. If your screen is new or under warranty, check the manufacturer’s pixel policy (see below) before trying anything.
Wait and use the screen normally
Some people report stuck pixels clearing up after a while, but this isn’t something to count on. Dell, for example, says stuck pixels don’t get better or worse on their own. If the screen is new, it is worth noting the fault now in case you need to return it.
Rapidly changing colours
Some tools flash rapidly changing colours over the stuck area for a period of time, with the aim of getting the subpixel to respond again. Results vary, it doesn’t always work, and a pixel that recovers can get stuck again.
Our dead pixel test page includes a stuck pixel fixer: a small box that flashes red, green, blue, white and black very quickly, which you drag over the stuck pixel. It can’t revive a dead pixel.
- Photosensitivity warning: do not use flashing colour tools if you, or anyone who can see your screen, has photosensitive epilepsy or is sensitive to flashing light. Stop straight away if you feel dizzy or unwell. Our fixer only starts after you read a warning and tick a confirmation box, asks for a second confirmation if your device is set to reduce motion, and stops with Esc or a single click or tap.
- Only run it for a few minutes at a time, then stop and check the result.
Be very cautious with pressure methods
You may read advice about gently pressing or rubbing the stuck pixel with a soft cloth. Be careful. Pressing on an LCD or OLED panel can damage it and create more faulty pixels, a larger damaged area or permanent marks, and some manufacturers say it may void the warranty. If you are unsure, it is safer not to try pressure methods at all.
Dead pixels
There is no reliable home fix for a truly dead pixel. If it bothers you, the realistic options are a warranty claim, a repair or a replacement.
Check the manufacturer’s pixel policy
Many display and laptop makers publish a pixel policy that explains how many faulty pixels, of which type and in which part of the screen, count as a defect under warranty. Policies differ between brands and sometimes between product lines, so check the policy for your exact model on the manufacturer’s website.
If you have just bought the screen, check the shop’s return policy too.
When you contact support, include:
- The model and serial number of the screen or laptop
- Where the fault is on the screen and what colour it shows
- Photos taken against solid colour backgrounds
- When you first noticed it
Summary
A dead pixel is always dark and is usually permanent. A stuck pixel shows a bright colour and sometimes responds to flashing colours, though there is no guarantee. Clean the screen, test with solid colours, avoid pressing on the panel, take care with flashing tools, and check your manufacturer’s policy if the fault stays.