What is a dead pixel?
A dead pixel is a pixel on your display that is permanently off. It appears as a small black dot regardless of what color the screen is trying to display. Dead pixels are caused by a failed transistor or a manufacturing defect in the LCD or OLED panel. Because the pixel hardware is broken, no software fix can bring it back.
What is a stuck pixel?
A stuck pixel is a pixel that is permanently lit in one color — usually red, green, blue, or a combination of these — regardless of what the screen displays. Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels still emit light but fail to change color correctly. They are often caused by a transistor that is stuck in the "on" position and may sometimes be improved with pixel-refreshing techniques.
How to find dead pixels
- Use the tool above to display solid colors one at a time — white, red, green, blue, and black.
- On each color, carefully scan the entire screen looking for dots that do not match the background.
- Pay close attention to the edges and corners, where defects are most common.
- On a white background, dead pixels appear as black dots.
- On red, green, or blue backgrounds, dead pixels still appear black while stuck pixels appear as a contrasting color.
- On a black background, stuck pixels appear as bright colored dots while dead pixels blend in.
- For the best results, view the screen in a dark room at your normal viewing distance and use fullscreen mode to remove browser distractions.
What to do if you find one
- Check your warranty — Most manufacturers cover dead pixels under warranty if the number exceeds their threshold. Document the defect with a photo and note its position.
- Try a pixel-fixing tool — For stuck pixels (not dead pixels), rapidly cycling colors or applying gentle pressure near the pixel may sometimes restore normal function. This does not work for truly dead pixels.
- Consider professional repair — If the dead pixel cluster is large or in a distracting location, a screen replacement may be the only permanent solution. Compare repair cost against the value of your device.
- Replace the device — For older devices with multiple dead pixels and no warranty coverage, replacement may be more cost-effective than repair.