How to check a monitor or TV for dead pixels and get rid of the problem

What are dead pixels

In all LCDs, the image is formed from a grid of pixels. They consist of three separate subpixels of red, green and blue, which are responsible for full color image formation. Each subpixel has a transistor to turn it on and off.

Even the matrix of a conventional HD monitor contains over 6 million subpixels, and in 4K displays their number reaches 37 million. With such a huge number, some of the transistors can malfunction. Then certain subpixels remain on or, conversely, off.

What pixel defects are there

Any abnormal pixels visible against the general background are called broken, but this is not entirely correct. Really broken or dead pixels are only those in which the transistor is out of order. They do not glow with any color and just remain black, falling out of the matrix grid. Clearly visible against a white background.

Left and right pixels are frozen, in the center - broken

There are also frozen or stuck pixels - these are red, green, blue or white dots that are clearly visible on a black background. They occur when subpixels freeze while updating color.

How many dead pixels are allowed

It seems logical to replace a computer monitor or TV with dead pixels, but manufacturers do not consider the latter to be a factory defect. When you contact the service with such a complaint, you will most likely be denied service.

Different suppliers have their own standards for the number of defective pixels, depending on their location, resolution and display diagonal. So, he considers up to 10 frozen and 3 broken pixels on 20-inch screens to be the norm. Y - 7 dead pixels for monitors, and have 1-6 stuck and 6-13 bit pixels, depending on the line of displays.

How to check the display

To avoid any trouble, it is worth checking the screen before purchasing. You can do this yourself or pay for the corresponding service in the store.

You can visually determine the absence of defective pixels upon close examination on a solid white, black, red, green and blue background. To do this, you need such pictures on a USB flash drive and reproduce them on the device you like. If none of the dots are out of the general color, then everything is in order with the screen.

Another option is to use special software if you can run it. In fact, these are the same color pictures, but in a more convenient format for applications or online services.

- a simple utility for Windows with free access. After starting, you need to select a mode and carefully look at the screen.
is another free Windows app. Colors are switched with the mouse or using the arrows.
is an online validation tool with a set of colors. Works in any browser, including mobile ones. Don't forget to enable full screen mode.
- another online service. Choose a color, expand the window to full screen and check.

How to remove dead pixels

Since black pixels are the result of damage to the transistor, they cannot be repaired without replacing these components. And this is almost unrealistic even in laboratory conditions. The situation is different with colored dots, which appear due to freezing of subpixels. You can try to remove them.

1. Program method

The method consists in the cyclic output of rapidly changing images, which, due to frequent color changes, increase the chance of returning the hovered pixels to the ability to switch again.

There are many options for implementing this method through utilities, online services, and even YouTube videos. They can be used on a computer as well as on a TV when connecting a PC with an HDMI cable.

is a professional paid utility for Windows, the creators of which promise to remove defective pixels in just 10 minutes.
is a universal program for Windows and Android that helps to find and then fix problem pixels by cyclically switching colors.
is another utility for Windows. Eliminates stuck pixels by fast flickering RGB colors.
is an online service to run on computer, TV and mobile devices. Outputs an area with digital noise that can be moved to the desired area of the screen.
- 12-hour YouTube video, which is suggested to run and leave overnight. Attention! The colors in the video change at a very high speed and can cause an epileptic seizure. Do not look at the screen, but rather turn it to the side.

2. Manual method

Another way is to physically influence the screen. Light pressure can help clear up stuck pixels and get them back into working order. The method does not work in all cases, but you can try.

Light pressure helps to sensitize stuck pixels and restore performance

Find the glowing pixel and unplug your monitor or TV.
Take a cotton swab or pencil eraser.
Gently press the display in the area of the frozen pixel several times.
Wait a few minutes, turn on the monitor and check the result.

Be aware that even if the frozen pixels are gone, they may reappear. There is also a possibility that new defective pixels will appear after the described manipulations.

If there are few colored dots and they do not really interfere with your work, it is better to ignore them and leave everything as it is.