Dead Pixel Test: How to Check Your Monitor for Defective Pixels

Dead and stuck pixels are tiny defects on your screen where individual pixels fail to display the correct color. A dead pixel stays permanently black, while a stuck pixel shows a fixed red, green, or blue dot. These defects are most common on new monitors and can often be grounds for a warranty return.

Dead vs Stuck Pixels

• Dead pixel: Always black (the pixel is completely non-functional)
• Stuck pixel: Always shows one color (red, green, or blue) regardless of what should be displayed
• Hot pixel: Always white (all sub-pixels stuck on)

Stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed. Dead pixels usually cannot.

How to Test for Dead Pixels

1. Open the screen tester
2. Select a solid color (start with white to find dead pixels)
3. Go fullscreen and carefully examine the entire display
4. Switch to black to find stuck/hot pixels
5. Test red, green, and blue to identify stuck sub-pixels

Specialized Screen Tests

• Dead Pixel Test — Focused test for finding dead pixels
• Stuck Pixel Test — Identify stuck sub-pixels
• Black Screen Test — Check for backlight bleed and IPS glow (and read how much backlight bleed is normal to decide if you should RMA)
• White Screen Test — Test uniformity and clean your screen
• Monitor Sharpness Test — Check text clarity, color fringing, and sub-pixel layout
• Online Ruler — Measure on-screen objects in cm and inches with credit-card calibration

Can You Fix Dead Pixels?

For Stuck Pixels (Sometimes)

• Pressure method: Gently press on the stuck pixel with a soft cloth while turning the display off and on
• Pixel exerciser: Run rapidly flashing colors over the stuck pixel to unstick it

For Dead Pixels (Usually Not)

Dead pixels indicate physical damage to the transistor. Most manufacturers have a dead pixel warranty policy — check if yours qualifies for a replacement.

FAQ

How many dead pixels is acceptable?

ISO 9241-307 defines classes. Class 0 allows zero defects. Most consumer monitors are Class 1 (allows up to 1-2 defects). Premium brands like Dell and ASUS offer zero-dead-pixel guarantees on select models.

Test your screen: Open the screen tester now.