Dead Pixel & Stuck Pixel Test

Free online tool to find dead, stuck, or hot pixels on monitors, laptop screens, phones, tablets, and TVs. Choose a mode below — the test runs entirely in your browser on a full-screen solid color canvas. No data leaves your device.

Before you begin
  • Clean the screen with a microfiber cloth — many "dead" pixels are actually dust.
  • Press F during the test to go full-screen or click anywhere to hide browser bars.
  • Keyboard: ← / → to change color, SPACE for next, A for auto cycle, ESC to exit.
  • On phones: tap to advance, swipe left/right to change, double tap to exit.
  • Run each color for at least 30 seconds. Stuck pixels are most easily seen on solid black or white.

Difference Between Dead Pixel and Stuck Pixel — Complete Guide

What is the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?

Modern LCD, OLED, IPS, and AMOLED panels are built from millions of tiny picture elements ("pixels"), each made up of three sub-pixels (red, green, and blue). When one — or all — of these sub-pixels fails to work correctly, you get an error that is visible against certain background colors.

Dead Pixel

A dead pixel remains black on every background — the cell receives no power and emits no light. It is most noticeable on white, red, green, or blue backgrounds. Dead pixels are usually permanent and rarely recoverable because the underlying transistor itself has failed.

Stuck Pixel

A stuck pixel is permanently locked on a single color (red, green, blue, or any combination). It is most noticeable on a black background. Because the transistor still works, stuck pixels can sometimes be recovered using the rapid RGB flashing technique used in our "Repair" mode.

Hot Pixel

A hot pixel is always bright white — a defect more common in camera sensors than screens, though high-density OLED panels can occasionally show them. Treatment is similar to stuck pixels.

Sub-Pixel Defect

Sometimes only one of the three RGB cells inside a pixel fails. The pixel will look normal on most colors, but appear tinted on others. Our solid color cycle (red → green → blue) highlights these by forcing the bad sub-pixel to stand out against its missing channel.

How to use this dead pixel test correctly

For the most reliable result:

  • Clean the screen first. Smudges and dust look identical to dead pixels under casual inspection. Use a soft microfiber cloth — never paper towels.
  • Reduce reflections. Darken the room or adjust the screen angle so the color displayed is truly the color you see.
  • Run each color for at least 30 seconds. Move slowly across the panel; defective pixels are usually only a few millimeters wide.
  • Compare colors. A pixel that does not show on red but appears on green indicates a stuck red sub-pixel.
  • Use both bright and dark backgrounds. Dead pixels appear on white, stuck pixels appear on black.

Attempting to fix a stuck pixel

The "Stuck Pixel Repair" mode rapidly flashes the affected area through a full RGB cycle. Constant electrical stimulation can sometimes recover a sub-pixel trapped in a fixed state. Run the repair tool over the affected area for 20–30 minutes; some stubborn pixels may require multiple sessions over several days.

Gentle physical pressure with a soft, clean cloth (applied to an open screen displaying the repair animation) can also help. Never press hard: you could permanently damage the panel.

Warranty and acceptable defect counts

Manufacturers do not consider a single dead pixel a reason for return. The widely used ISO 9241-307 standard defines four pixel defect tolerance "classes", with most consumer panels shipping in Class II (which generally allows a few dead/stuck pixels per million before a panel is considered defective). Premium "zero dead pixel" warranties are available from some manufacturers, but usually require a separate purchase.

Always document your findings (a clear photo containing the color this tool shows and a coin for scale) before contacting support — most warranty teams ask for visual proof.

Privacy and security

This tool runs entirely locally in your browser. No image, screenshot, or test result leaves your device. No analytics, tracking, or server calls are required to perform the test. See our Privacy Policy.

Dead Pixel Test — FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about this tool.

What is a dead pixel?

A dead pixel is a permanently dark sub-pixel that no longer receives power. Stuck pixels, on the other hand, are locked on a single color and can sometimes be fixed.

How does the auto-cycle test work?

It fills the screen with pure red, green, blue, white, black, and grey in sequence — every 1.5 seconds. Any pixel that fails to keep up is suspect.

Can this fix stuck pixels?

Sometimes. Rapid color cycling for 10–60 minutes can unstick a transistor. Dead pixels (no power) cannot be fixed with software; they require a panel replacement.

Is it safe for OLED screens?

Short tests are safe. Avoid running solid white or solid blue static images for hours on OLED — that's what causes burn-in. The auto-cycle pattern explicitly changes colors to prevent this.