How to Test for Dead & Stuck Pixels on Your Monitor
April 10, 2026 · ScreenRes.tools
Dead and stuck pixels are manufacturing defects that can appear on any LCD, OLED, or LED display. Here's how to find them — and what to do if you spot one.
Dead pixel vs stuck pixel
A dead pixel is permanently off. It appears as a tiny black dot on your screen regardless of what's displayed. The transistor controlling that pixel has failed completely.
A stuck pixel is frozen on a single color — usually red, green, or blue. Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed.
How to test
- Use a full-screen color test — cycle through solid colors (red, green, blue, white, black) and visually scan for anomalies.
- Check each color carefully — a stuck red sub-pixel is only visible on a black or blue background, not on red.
- Use a systematic pattern — scan left-to-right, top-to-bottom in sections.
Try our Dead Pixel Test tool — it cycles through colors in fullscreen mode, making defects easy to spot.
What to look for
| Defect | Appearance | On which background |
|---|---|---|
| Dead pixel | Black dot | White or bright colors |
| Stuck red | Red dot | Black, blue, green |
| Stuck green | Green dot | Black, red, blue |
| Stuck blue | Blue dot | Black, red, green |
Can you fix stuck pixels?
Sometimes. Try these methods:
- Pixel exerciser — rapidly flash colors at the stuck pixel for 10–30 minutes
- Gentle pressure — apply very light pressure with a soft cloth over the stuck pixel while the display is on
- Software tools — some utilities cycle colors at high speed to "unstick" the pixel
Warning: Never press hard on your screen. You risk damaging more pixels or cracking the panel.
Manufacturer policies
Most manufacturers allow a certain number of dead pixels before honoring a warranty claim. Common thresholds:
- Dell — 1 bright or 6 dark sub-pixel defects
- LG — varies by panel class
- ASUS — zero dead pixel guarantee on some premium lines
Check your manufacturer's pixel defect policy before purchase, especially for professional monitors where accuracy matters.
Prevention
You can't prevent dead pixels entirely, but buying from manufacturers with strict quality control and zero-defect policies reduces the risk. Always test a new monitor within the return window.