Dead Pixel Test
Display solid colors in fullscreen to identify dead, stuck, or hot pixels on your monitor or laptop screen.
Start Dead Pixel Test
This will display solid colors in fullscreen mode. Look carefully for any pixels that don't match the displayed color.
Click or use arrow keys to cycle colors. Press Escape to exit.
Examine your entire screen carefully for pixels that appear differently from the surrounding color.
How Does the Dead Pixel Test Work?
- Click the Start button or select a color to enter fullscreen mode.
- Your entire screen will be filled with a solid color.
- Carefully scan the screen for any pixel that appears different from the surrounding color.
- Use arrow keys or click to cycle through all test colors.
- Dead pixels appear as black dots, stuck pixels appear as bright dots of a single color.
Types of Pixel Defects: Dead, Stuck, and Hot Pixels
Not all pixel problems are the same, and identifying the type matters when deciding whether a fix is possible. A dead pixel is a pixel whose transistor has permanently failed, leaving it unable to receive power. It appears as a tiny black dot on every background color. Dead pixels cannot be repaired through software — the transistor must be physically replaced, which is not practical on modern displays.
A stuck pixel is a pixel that remains fixed on one color — usually bright red, green, or blue — because its sub-pixel transistor is locked in the "on" position. Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels sometimes recover. Running a rapid color-cycling sequence (like this tool in fullscreen) for 20 to 30 minutes can jostle the transistor back into normal operation. You can also try gently pressing the affected area with a soft, damp cloth while the display shows a black screen. A hot pixel (or bright pixel) appears as a white dot and typically indicates that all three sub-pixel transistors are stuck on.
Display Panel Technologies and Pixel Defect Susceptibility
The type of panel in your monitor affects both how visible pixel defects are and how likely they are to occur. IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels have wide viewing angles and accurate colors, making dead pixels more noticeable from any position. VA (Vertical Alignment) panels produce deeper blacks, so dead pixels (which are black) blend in more on dark content but stuck pixels stand out sharply. TN (Twisted Nematic) panels shift color with viewing angle, which can make it harder to spot stuck sub-pixels unless viewed head-on.
OLED displays work differently — each pixel is a self-emitting organic LED. A dead pixel on OLED is a pixel that no longer produces light at all. OLED panels don't suffer from stuck pixels in the same way LCD panels do, but they can experience uneven pixel aging (burn-in) where some pixels degrade faster than others. Running the solid-color test on an OLED screen is the best way to check for both dead pixels and early signs of uneven wear.
Warranty Policies and What to Do If You Find Defects
Most display manufacturers have a pixel defect policy that defines how many defective pixels must be present before a warranty replacement is approved. ISO 13406-2 (now superseded by ISO 9241-302) originally classified displays into four quality classes. Many manufacturers allow zero dead pixels in their premium lines but tolerate 3 to 5 in budget models. Check your specific manufacturer's policy before filing a claim.
When checking a new monitor, run this dead pixel test within the return window. Cycle through all colors — red, green, blue, white, and black — in a dimly lit room to maximize your ability to spot defects. Clean the screen first so you don't confuse dust with pixel damage. If you find defects, screenshot or photograph the screen showing the test color (use a camera, not a screenshot tool — screenshots cannot capture hardware defects) and contact the retailer or manufacturer with the evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a dead pixel?
- A dead pixel is a pixel on your display that is permanently off and appears as a small black dot regardless of what is displayed. Dead pixels are caused by manufacturing defects or physical damage to the display.
- What is a stuck pixel?
- A stuck pixel is always lit in a single color (red, green, or blue) regardless of the image being displayed. Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed by rapidly changing colors or gently applying pressure.
- How can I fix a stuck pixel?
- Try running the dead pixel test rapidly cycling through colors for 10-20 minutes. Some stuck pixels can be recovered this way. If that doesn't work, gently applying pressure with a soft cloth while the pixel displays colors may help. Dead pixels, however, typically cannot be fixed.
- Is this test accurate?
- Yes. Displaying solid colors in fullscreen is the standard method used by display manufacturers and reviewers to check for pixel defects. Make sure your screen is clean and viewed at normal distance.