Dead Pixel Test: Check Your Screen for Dead or Stuck Pixels
Run this dead pixel test on a new monitor, laptop, TV or phone to find faulty pixels while you can still return it. Click Start full-screen test, and the screen fills with solid colors one at a time. A tiny dot that stays black, white or one bright color is a dead or stuck pixel.
Or start with a color
The test runs in your browser and works offline once the page has loaded.
Quick answer: Click Start full-screen test, then click through each color while looking closely at the whole screen. On white, look for black dots; on black, look for bright dots. Press Esc to finish.
How to run a dead pixel test
- Clean the screen gently with a dry microfibre cloth first, so dust isn’t mistaken for a pixel.
- Set brightness to normal and dim the room lights.
- Click Start full-screen test. On a phone, rotate to landscape and tap to change colors.
- Scan the screen slowly, section by section, on each color. Black and white find most faults; red, green and blue find pixels stuck on one sub-pixel color.
- If you spot something, note its position and color, then compare with the tips below.
Dead pixel, stuck pixel or dust?
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Black dot on every color, clearest on white | Dead pixel: it gets no power. Usually permanent. |
| Red, green or blue dot on black or other colors | Stuck pixel: one sub-pixel is stuck on. Sometimes fixable. |
| White dot that is bright on black | Hot pixel: all sub-pixels stuck on. |
| Dot that moves or changes when you wipe the screen | Dust, a smudge or something on the surface. |
| Brighter cloudy patches at the edges on black | Backlight bleed or “IPS glow”, common on LCDs; not a pixel fault. |
Can you fix a stuck pixel?
Stuck pixels sometimes recover. Common methods are leaving the screen on a fast-changing image for a while, or gently pressing on the spot through a soft cloth while the screen is on. Results vary and pressing can damage a screen, so try it at your own risk, and never on a phone or OLED screen. We don’t offer a flashing “pixel fixer” here, because rapidly flashing colors can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Dead pixels (black on white) can’t be fixed by software.
Check the warranty and return window
Test every new screen on the day it arrives. Most stores accept returns for any reason within a short window, often 14 to 30 days, which is the easiest way to get a perfect replacement. After that, manufacturers follow a “pixel policy” that may only replace a screen with several faulty pixels, or with pixels near the centre, so read the policy for your brand and model.
Testing a new laptop? Also try the keyboard tester, webcam test and mic test.
FAQ
How many dead pixels are acceptable?
It depends on the manufacturer. Many accept a few faulty pixels on a large screen, while some premium brands promise zero bright pixels.
Does it work on TVs?
Yes. Open this page in the TV’s browser, or on a computer connected to the TV, and start the test.
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