DeadPixelTest.pro

TV Dead Pixel Test

Open this page in your TV's browser or cast from a laptop. Click Full Screen and cycle through each color from your normal viewing distance. Works on Samsung QLED, LG OLED, Sony Bravia, and all LCD TVs.

Press F11 for best results on desktop

How to Test a TV for Dead Pixels

TV dead pixel testing works differently from monitors because of viewing distance. At 2–3 metres from a 65-inch 4K panel, individual pixels subtend less than 0.02 degrees of arc — well below the threshold of comfortable visibility. A single dead pixel on a large 4K TV may be genuinely invisible from your sofa and only apparent up close.

The right approach is to test at two distances: first from 1 metre to find any defects, then from your normal viewing position to judge whether they are actually bothersome. A pixel defect that is invisible at 2.5 metres may not be worth pursuing a warranty claim. One that is visible at normal distance almost certainly is.

  1. 1Open this page in your TV browser, or connect a laptop via HDMI and go full screen.
  2. 2Dim the room — ambient light makes faint stuck pixels invisible, especially on OLED.
  3. 3Stand 1 metre from the screen and scan each solid color methodically.
  4. 4Note the exact location of any defect (e.g. "top-left quarter, 10 cm from edge").
  5. 5Step back to your normal viewing distance and check whether it is still visible.
  6. 6Photograph it on a white background for warranty documentation.

OLED, QD-OLED, QLED, and LCD — Dead Pixel Differences

The TV panel market is more fragmented than monitor panels. The same brand may use OLED, QD-OLED, Mini-LED, and standard LCD across its lineup — and dead pixels behave very differently on each.

Panel typeDead pixel appearanceTesting notes
OLED (LG, Sony, Philips)Perfect black dot on all colors; no backlight bleedRare but permanent. Also watch for burn-in (separate issue). Test on white and red.
QD-OLED (Samsung S95 series)Perfect black dot; slightly different sub-pixel layoutSame as OLED behavior. Quantum dot layer does not affect dead pixel appearance.
QLED / Mini-LED LCD (Samsung, Hisense)Dark grey or off-color dot; may have faint halo from backlightLocal dimming zones can cause areas to look dark — confirm it is a fixed point, not a dimming zone.
LCD (standard LED backlight)Dark grey dot on white; hard to spot on blackTest on white first. Bright stuck pixels glow red, green, or blue on any background.
QLED and Mini-LED gotcha: Local dimming zones can make large areas of the screen appear very dark even when displaying grey or coloured content. This is not a dead pixel — it shifts as the image changes. A true dead pixel is fixed at one location regardless of surrounding content.

How TV Dead Pixel Warranties Differ from Monitor Warranties

Monitor manufacturers — especially Dell, ASUS, and LG — increasingly offer zero-dead-pixel guarantees on premium display lines. TV manufacturers do not. Every major TV brand (Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense) applies ISO 13406-2 Class II or equivalent, meaning a small number of defective pixels is technically within specification and will not automatically trigger a warranty repair.

The practical difference is in the retailer channel. Buying a TV from a major retailer (Best Buy, Currys, Amazon) gives you a 14–30 day return window during which a single visible dead pixel is usually sufficient reason for a no-questions exchange. Once past that window, you are dealing with the manufacturer warranty and the minimum pixel threshold.

BrandWarrantyThresholdTip
Samsung1 year standard (2 years in EU)Class II — typically 5+ bright pixelsReport within 30 days to retailer for swap option.
LG1–2 years depending on regionClass II — typically 5+ defectsOLED defects handled case-by-case; single bright pixel near centre often approved.
Sony (Bravia)1 year standardClass II — minimum count threshold appliesGoogle TV models: contact Sony support, not Google. Use Sony's online diagnostics first.
Hisense / TCL1 yearClass II or III — higher tolerance on budget panelsBudget panels may carry Class III tolerance. Check spec sheet.

See our dead pixel warranty guide for a full breakdown of how to frame a warranty claim and what documentation to prepare.

Can a Dead Pixel on a TV Be Fixed?

If the pixel is stuck on a color rather than fully dark, rapid color cycling is worth attempting. Connect a laptop to the TV via HDMI, open our stuck pixel fix tool, go full screen, and run it for 15–20 minutes. Some stuck pixels recover — particularly on LCD panels where the liquid crystal cell is temporarily stuck rather than physically broken.

Do not attempt physical pressure methods on a large TV panel. The forces required to reach the pixel layer through a TV's front glass are high enough to crack the panel or create pressure marks that are worse than the original defect. On OLED TVs, pressure marks are permanent and not covered by warranty.

TV Dead Pixel FAQ

How do I run a dead pixel test on a TV with no browser?+
Use the built-in browser on Samsung Smart TVs, LG webOS, or Sony Google TV to open this page. Alternatively, cast from a laptop or phone using Chromecast, AirPlay, or an HDMI cable. On the laptop, press F11 to go full screen before mirroring.
How many dead pixels will Samsung or LG replace a TV for?+
Samsung and LG both follow ISO 13406-2 Class II for most consumer TVs — they permit a small number of pixel defects per million pixels and generally require 5 or more bright dead pixels before approving a warranty replacement. A single bright pixel near the centre of the screen is worth reporting within the first 30 days, however, as retailers have more flexibility than manufacturer warranty channels.
Does LG OLED TV have a dead pixel guarantee?+
LG does not offer a zero-dead-pixel guarantee on OLED TVs. However, OLED manufacturing yields have improved significantly in recent years and factory defects are uncommon. LG's standard warranty covers display defects including pixel failures for one to two years depending on region.
What is the difference between a dead pixel and OLED burn-in on a TV?+
A dead or stuck pixel is a fixed point that never changes — a single dot at one location. OLED burn-in is a faint ghost image of static content (channel logos, news tickers, game HUDs) visible across the screen at low brightness. Burn-in is uneven and large-scale; dead pixels are pinpoint and location-specific.
Can I fix a dead pixel on my TV myself?+
Stuck pixels (frozen on a color) sometimes respond to rapid color cycling — use our fix tool via browser on the TV or connect a laptop and run it full screen. Physical pressure methods are not practical or safe on large TV panels. Truly dead pixels require a panel replacement.
A line of pixels on my TV is dead — is that covered by warranty?+
Yes, almost certainly. A full horizontal or vertical line of dead pixels indicates a row or column driver failure — a manufacturing defect, not normal pixel wear. This typically qualifies for warranty replacement regardless of the standard dead pixel threshold. Document it with a photo and contact the manufacturer immediately.

Found a stuck pixel?

Connect a laptop via HDMI and run the fix tool before contacting the manufacturer.

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