Free Dead Pixel Test
Press F11 for best results on desktop
How to Test Your Screen for Dead Pixels
Takes under two minutes. Works on any monitor, TV, phone, or laptop.
- 1
Clean your screen
Wipe your screen with a clean, dry microfiber cloth before starting. Dust particles, fingerprints, and smudges look remarkably similar to dead pixels — especially under certain colors — and are the most common reason people think they have a screen defect when they do not. Do not press hard while cleaning; excess pressure can temporarily cause stuck pixels on LCD panels.
- 2
Click a color or press Auto Cycle
Select any solid color from the seven options. Each color illuminates the display uniformly, making any defective pixel immediately visible as a spot that does not match the surrounding area. Different defects appear on different colors: a dead pixel is black on every color, while a stuck pixel holds one fixed hue. Auto Cycle rotates through all seven colors every three seconds — the fastest way to cover every possible failure mode in one pass.
- 3
Press F11 or tap Full Screen
Test area matters. A small preview catches obvious defects, but full-screen testing catches the subtle ones. Press F11 on desktop to maximize your browser, or tap Launch Full Screen above. On mobile, the tool fills your entire viewport. Once in full-screen mode, use the arrow keys or on-screen buttons to switch colors without exiting.
- 4
Look for pixels that don't match the background
Scan your screen methodically — top to bottom, left to right — checking each area before moving on. Take your time; a single defective pixel in a corner is easy to miss. A dead pixel appears as a consistently black dot across every test color. A stuck pixel maintains one color regardless of the background. Run through all seven colors before concluding — dust and smudges disappear between colors, but pixel defects don't.
What Are Dead Pixels?
A dead pixel is a display pixel that has permanently stopped working. Every pixel on your screen is controlled by its own transistor; when that transistor fails, the pixel stops receiving power and goes permanently dark — showing as a black dot that never changes, on any content or color.
Most people first notice dead pixels against bright, solid backgrounds. White is the easiest test color: even a single dark pixel stands out immediately. Against dark content, dead pixels are nearly invisible — which is why testing on multiple colors matters.
| Type | Appearance | Cause | Fixable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead pixel | Always black | Transistor off (failed) | Rarely |
| Stuck pixel | Fixed color (R/G/B/W) | Transistor on (stuck) | Sometimes |
If you have found a defect, the next step depends on when it appeared and how many there are. Read our dead pixel warranty guide to understand your options by brand, or try the free stuck pixel fix tool if your pixel is colored rather than black.
Want the full explanation? Read our complete guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dead pixel?▾
A dead pixel is a pixel on a display screen that has permanently stopped functioning. It appears as a small black dot that remains dark regardless of what color the screen is showing, because the transistor powering that pixel has failed.
What does a dead pixel look like?▾
A dead pixel looks like a tiny, consistently black dot on your screen. It stands out most against white or bright backgrounds. Unlike dust, it does not move when you touch the screen. Use the white and yellow test colors to spot it clearly.
Dead pixel vs stuck pixel — what's the difference?▾
A dead pixel is always black — the transistor is permanently off and the pixel receives no power. A stuck pixel is always colored — red, green, blue, or white — because the transistor is stuck in an on state. Stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed with rapid color cycling; dead pixels generally cannot.
Can a dead pixel be fixed?▾
True dead pixels cannot be repaired with software — the underlying transistor has physically failed. Stuck pixels sometimes respond to rapid color cycling using a pixel fix tool. If your pixel is truly dead, your options are a warranty claim or professional panel replacement.
Does a dead pixel spread?▾
No. Dead pixels do not spread to adjacent pixels. Each pixel has its own independent transistor, so one failure does not affect neighboring pixels. If multiple new dead pixels appear over time, this may indicate a broader hardware issue rather than spread.
Is one dead pixel enough to return a monitor?▾
It depends on the manufacturer. Most brands follow the ISO 13406-2 standard, under which one or two dead pixels is considered acceptable. However, Dell's Premium Panel Guarantee and LG's OLED zero-defect policy cover even a single dead pixel. Check your brand's specific dead pixel policy before filing a claim.