How to Fix a Dead Pixel GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment > TV & Displays 83 83 people found this article helpful

How to Fix a Dead Pixel

Try these potential solutions before replacing your screen

By Alexander Fox Alexander Fox Writer University of the Arts Alexander Fox is a former Lifewire writer who loves translating tech for consumers. His work appears in AppleGazette, MakeTechEasier, and SpyreStudios. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 13, 2021 Reviewed by Kayla Dube Reviewed by Kayla Dube J. Everette Light Career Center Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email TV & Displays Samsung Projectors Antennas HDMI & Connections Remote Controls A dead pixel is a picture element that stops lighting up, causing a persistent black dot on the screen. If you suspect you have one, but you aren't sure, investigate more closely with tools like the Dead Pixels Test or CheckPixels.com. These programs often display solid colors on the entire screen, allowing your eyes to more easily pick out pixels that aren't functioning properly. Dead pixels can't be fixed in most cases, but you can sometimes revive those pixels. We have a few solutions for you to try before you send your device out for repairs. Dead pixels are not the same as stuck pixels. These pixels look almost the same, but there's an important distinction. A dead pixel won't turn on, whereas a stuck pixel is permanently on. Since it's permanently on, it typically appears as a bright, persistent dot on the screen, and is either red, green, blue, or white. If a problematic pixel is dead, it should look like a small black rectangle.

Causes of Dead Pixels

A dead pixel occurs when the transistor that powers it fails to supply power, causing it to remain permanently black, never illuminating. The most common cause of dead pixels is a manufacturing defect. Undetectably small errors in assembly can result in a handful of dead pixels among the millions of functional ones. Dead pixels can also appear later on in a display's life, mostly as the result of physical damage.

How to Fix a Dead Pixel on Your Monitor Smartphone or Tablet

Here are a few things you can try to fix a dead pixel on your device's display: Wait for the dead pixel to disappear. It may go away on its own, but there's no telling how long it will take. You might have the dead pixel for the remainder of the device's life, or it might go away in a week. Try JScreenFix. This free web app fixes many stuck pixels in less than 10 minutes. There's no software to download or install, and it's suitable for LCD and OLED screens. This likely won't work if the pixels are dead instead of stuck, but there's no harm in trying. Replace the screen. The most reliable way to fix a dead pixel is to replace the screen. Many manufacturers have warranties that cover dead pixels, so check your device's warranty to see if this situation applies to you. Most display manufacturers require a minimum number of dead pixels before the screen can be replaced. For a display the size of a computer monitor, the minimum is typically four to eight dead pixels. Smaller displays have lower minimum requirements. You can examine the dead pixel policies of Acer, Apple, Dell, LG, and Samsung, but the best source is always the device's specific warranty documents. You may come across other methods of fixing this problem yourself, including "pressure" and "heat" methods. We do not recommend trying these methods as they can make the problem much worse if not done properly! There isn't a lot you can do to fix dead pixels; most people tend to buy a new tablet, computer, or TV when pixels start going bad. If you're not comfortable with replacing the screen yourself (most people aren't), then the next step is to find a local repair shop if your device is no longer under warranty or break out the wallet. The 9 Best Tablets in 2022, Tested by Lifewire Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix Screen Burn on Any Screen How to Fix It When a Second Monitor Is Not Working How to Fix the Green Line on an Android Phone How to Fix the Oculus Quest Black Screen of Death How to Fix a Cracked Phone Screen How to Fix a Broken Laptop Screen How to Fix It When a Lenovo's Mic Is Not Working How to Replace a Dead iPad Battery How to Fix Surface Pro Screen Shaking and Flickering How to Fix 'No Battery Is Detected' on Your Laptop How To Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Issues How to Fix a CPU Fan Error How to Fix it When Your PS4 Is Overheating How to Fix It When Apple Pencil Isn't Working How to Fix Vizio TV Black Screen of Death How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies