How to use the dead pixel test
- Set your screen brightness to maximum and lower the room lighting.
- Tap Start dead pixel test. Your screen fills with white, the first of five colors.
- Scan the whole panel corner to corner, holding your face a normal viewing distance away, not pressed up close.
- Tap anywhere, press Space, or press the right arrow key to move to the next color.
- Repeat for black, red, green, and blue. A genuine fault shows up as the same fixed dot across multiple colors.
- Press Esc, or tap through to the end, to exit.
Why five colors instead of one
- White: lights every subpixel at once, so a totally dead pixel shows as a black dot.
- Black: the opposite check, a pixel stuck bright shows up as a light dot against the dark.
- Red, green, blue: each isolates one subpixel channel. A pixel that looks fine on white but shows a dot on only one of these three has a single stuck subpixel, not a fully dead one.
Seeing a mark on one color but not the others is useful information on its own. It tells you which subpixel is at fault, which is worth knowing if you end up requesting a warranty replacement.
Who this is for
- Filing a warranty or return claimPin down exactly which colors reveal the fault before you contact support. It's the first thing they'll ask.
- Buying a used monitor or laptopA full color cycle in under a minute is enough to catch most panel defects before you pay.
- Just unboxed a new displayCheck it while you still have time to exchange it, not months into ownership.
- Selling a device onlineConfirm the screen is clean across all five colors before you list it as fault-free.
- IT asset auditsA quick, repeatable way to check a batch of screens for defects before deployment.
- Retail and display staffSpot-check demo units on the sales floor without extra tools.
Frequently asked questions
What's the actual difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel has lost power to all three of its subpixels and stays black on every color, including white. A stuck pixel still has power but is locked showing one color (usually red, green, or blue) regardless of what the rest of the screen displays.
How many dead pixels are considered normal for a new screen?
Manufacturers generally allow a small number of pixel defects within spec, and the exact threshold varies by brand and panel class. If you've just bought the device, check its specific pixel-defect policy before assuming a single spot is grounds for a return.
I only see the mark on one color. Does that matter?
It does, because it narrows down the cause. A mark that appears only on red, for example, points to that pixel's red subpixel specifically, rather than a fully dead pixel. Note which colors show it; that detail is useful if you contact support.
Can dust look like a dead pixel during this test?
Yes, easily. Dust, a fingerprint, or a scratch on the glass can look identical to a dead pixel from a normal viewing distance. Clean the screen with a dry microfiber cloth before concluding it's a hardware fault.
Is there a way to massage or fix a stuck pixel?
Some people have success with gentle, brief pressure directly on the stuck pixel while cycling bright colors over it, which occasionally frees the subpixel. It doesn't always work, and firm pressure risks making things worse, so treat it as a last resort rather than a guaranteed fix.
Does a hot pixel show up the same way as a dead one?
Not quite. A hot pixel is always fully on (bright white) regardless of the color behind it, so it's most obvious during the black screen pass. A dead pixel is the opposite: always off, most obvious on white.
Should I run this on a brand-new monitor before the return window closes?
It's a good habit. Run through all five colors as soon as you unbox a new display, while you still have time to exchange it if something turns up, rather than discovering a fault months later.