DeadPixelTest.pro

Phone Dead Pixel Test

Tap Full Screenand hold your phone close in good lighting. Cycle through every color looking for a dot that doesn't change. No app needed — works on iPhone and Android.

Press F11 for best results on desktop

How to Test a Phone Screen for Dead Pixels

Phone screens are small and pixel-dense — a single dead pixel can be easy to miss at arm's length. Hold your phone 15–20 cm from your eyes (closer than normal reading distance) in a dimly lit room. Bright ambient light washes out dim stuck pixels, especially on black and dark grey backgrounds.

  1. 1Tap Full Screen above (or use your browser's full-screen gesture).
  2. 2Dim the room — overhead lights make faint pixels nearly invisible.
  3. 3Hold the phone 15–20 cm away and scan slowly across each color.
  4. 4Check black carefully for bright stuck pixels; check white for dark dead pixels.
  5. 5Tap or swipe to cycle through all seven colors.

Why AMOLED Dead Pixels Look Different

Most modern smartphones — including every iPhone since the iPhone X and most Android flagships — use AMOLED or OLED panels. On these screens, each pixel generates its own light. A dead pixel produces no light at all, creating a pinpoint of perfect black that is visible on every background color, not just white.

LCD phones (still common in budget Android models) use a backlight behind the pixel layer. A dead LCD pixel blocks the backlight but doesn't eliminate it entirely, so the dot can look dark grey or hazy rather than pure black — and it may be nearly invisible on the black test screen. Always check white and red backgrounds if you suspect an LCD dead pixel.

Display typeDead pixel appearanceBest test color
AMOLED / OLEDPerfect black dot on every colorAny — most obvious on white or red
LCD (IPS)Dark grey dot; may have slight backlight haloWhite background
TN LCDFixed color dot; may look different from anglesWhite, viewed straight-on

Dead Pixels After Dropping Your Phone

Impact is one of the most common causes of sudden dead pixels on a phone. A drop can fracture the pixel layer directly, causing a cluster of dead pixels around the impact point. It can also damage the internal flex cable connecting the display to the motherboard, which typically produces a full line or a spreading dark patch that grows over hours or days.

Physical damage is excluded from standard manufacturer warranty. However, if you have AppleCare+ or a carrier protection plan, accidental damage is usually covered with a service fee. If there's no crack in the glass but dead pixels appeared after a drop, it's worth reporting to the manufacturer — internal damage without external evidence can sometimes be disputed.

Model-Specific Dead Pixel Guides

Warranty coverage and repair options differ between Apple and Android manufacturers. See the guide for your device type:

iPhone Dead Pixel Guide →Super Retina OLED, Apple Store diagnostics, AppleCare coverage.Android Dead Pixel Guide →Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and other Android brands.

Phone Dead Pixel FAQ

What does a dead pixel look like on a phone screen?+
A dead pixel is a fixed dot that never changes color regardless of what is displayed. On a white screen it appears black; on a black screen a stuck pixel glows red, green, or blue. Truly dead pixels are always dark — bright stuck pixels are far more common on modern OLED phones.
Can dropping a phone cause dead pixels?+
Yes. Impact can crack the pixel layer or damage the internal ribbon cable that carries signals to pixel rows. The result is often a cluster of dead pixels, a spreading dark patch, or a full line of dead pixels near the impact point. Physical damage is not covered under standard manufacturer warranty.
Can a dead pixel appear on a new phone?+
It can. Manufacturing defects occasionally slip through quality control. Most carriers and manufacturers allow a 14–30 day return window for a device with dead pixels at the point of sale — use the test above immediately when you unbox a new phone.
Is there a dead pixel app for iPhone or Android?+
You do not need an app. This page runs a full-screen solid color test directly in your mobile browser — it is the same test any app would run. Tap the Full Screen button and go through each color.
Why do AMOLED dead pixels look different from LCD dead pixels?+
On AMOLED, each pixel is its own light source, so a dead pixel is perfectly black on every color — no bleed, no halo. On LCD, backlight bleed around a dead pixel can make it look slightly grey or hazy rather than pure black.
Can a stuck pixel on a phone be fixed?+
Sometimes. Stuck pixels — pixels frozen on one color rather than fully dark — often respond to rapid color cycling. Use our fix tool on a desktop or laptop browser, or try the pressure method (powering off the phone and applying gentle pressure with a soft cloth). Truly dead pixels cannot be revived.

Found a stuck pixel?

Our fix tool rapidly cycles colors to stimulate stuck pixels back to life.

Try Pixel FixerWarranty Guide