OLED Dead Pixel Test
Test your OLED TV or monitor for dead pixels: go full screen and cycle through solid colors. On OLED every pixel emits its own light, so a dead pixel is a perfect black dot — and a stuck one is a vivid colored dot on black. Both are unmistakable once you know what to look for.
Quick answer
To test an OLED for dead pixels, display full-screen white — a dead OLED pixel appears as an absolute black dot. Then display black — a stuck sub-pixel glows red, green, or blue. If you find one: run your TV's built-in pixel refresher first, try software cycling second, and check warranty options for anything that persists. Never press on an OLED panel.
Test your OLED display now
Set brightness high and dim the room. On a TV, open this page in the TV browser or cast from a laptop. White and red backgrounds reveal dead pixels; black reveals stuck sub-pixels.
Look for bright or colored dots — stuck pixels glow on a black background.
Press F11 for best results on desktop
How OLED pixel defects differ from LCD
| Defect | On OLED / QD-OLED | Best fix attempt |
|---|---|---|
| Dead pixel | Absolute black dot — failed organic LED element | Panel refresher, then warranty — software cannot revive it |
| Stuck sub-pixel | Saturated red, green, or blue dot against true black | Panel refresher, then 20 min of software cycling |
| Burn-in / retention | Ghost image of static UI across a region, visible on grey | Built-in compensation cycle; prevention beats cure |
| Dark spot / blemish | Irregular dim patch, often from impact or pressure | None — physical organic layer damage |
The reverse of LCD also applies: a truly black dot on OLED is a real defect, not dust — dust looks grey and slightly raised under angled light. And because OLED blacks are perfect, the black-screen test that is weak on LCD is the most revealing test on OLED for stuck sub-pixels.
Run the built-in pixel refresher first
Every major OLED TV brand ships a panel compensation cycle that recalibrates the voltage driving each pixel. It exists mainly to even out wear and clear image retention, but it is also the manufacturer-sanctioned first step for a misbehaving pixel — and running it creates a service record if you later claim warranty.
- →LG OLED: Settings → General → OLED Care → Pixel Cleaning (older models: Pixel Refresher)
- →Sony Bravia OLED: Settings → Display → Expert panel settings → Panel refresh
- →Samsung OLED / QD-OLED: Settings → General & Privacy → Panel Care → Pixel Refresh
- →OLED monitors (Alienware, LG UltraGear, ASUS): Pixel cleaning runs from the OSD menu or bundled software; most panels prompt automatically every few hours of use
If the pixel is stuck on a color after a refresh cycle, try the stuck pixel fix tool for 20 minutes — success rates are lower on OLED than LCD, but it occasionally works and costs nothing. If the pixel is fully dark on white, go straight to the warranty guide.
Never press on an OLED panel
The pressure method is for LCD only. OLED organic layers delaminate under pressure, leaving permanent dark blemishes that warranties treat as customer-inflicted damage.
Testing an OLED phone instead?
This page covers OLED TVs and monitors. Phone displays — Samsung Dynamic AMOLED, Google LTPO OLED, iPhone Super Retina XDR — have their own quirks around burn-in, PWM, and warranty handling. Use the dedicated AMOLED dead pixel guide for phones, or the TV dead pixel test for TV-specific viewing-distance advice and brand warranty thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
What does a dead pixel look like on an OLED screen?+
An absolute black dot with zero light output — most obvious on white or bright backgrounds. A stuck sub-pixel is the opposite: an intensely saturated red, green, or blue dot against true black.
Can software fix a dead pixel on OLED?+
Rarely. Color cycling targets stuck liquid crystals, which OLED does not have. A stuck sub-pixel occasionally recovers after cycling, so a 20-minute attempt is worth it — but a truly dead OLED pixel is a failed LED element and needs warranty or repair.
Should I run the pixel refresher on my OLED TV?+
Yes, first. LG, Sony, and Samsung OLEDs all include a compensation cycle in settings that recalibrates pixel voltages and sometimes resolves single misbehaving pixels. A full cycle takes about an hour in standby.
Is it a dead pixel or OLED burn-in?+
One pinpoint dot = pixel failure. A ghost shape or region (logos, tickers, HUDs), most visible on grey = burn-in. They have different causes and different warranty treatment.
Why can’t I use the pressure method on OLED?+
OLED organic layers sit close to the glass and delaminate under pressure, creating permanent dark spots that are not covered by warranty. Pressure fixing is an LCD-only technique.