Dead Pixel Test
Fill your screen with solid colours to spot dead, stuck and hot pixels, check for banding and backlight bleed, and try to revive a stuck pixel.
- 11 fullscreen screens
- Auto-cycle
- Banding gradients
- Stuck pixel fixer
What is a dead pixel test?
A dead pixel test fills the whole screen with one colour at a time so faulty pixels stand out. A dead pixel stays black on every colour, a stuck pixel stays red, green or blue, and a hot pixel stays white. This test cycles black, white, red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow and 50% grey, plus a greyscale gradient to reveal banding and a colour gradient. The black screen also shows backlight bleed and IPS glow at the edges. A stuck pixel fixer flashes colours in a small square you can move over the faulty spot.
How to check for dead pixels
- Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth so dust is not mistaken for a pixel.
- Select Start fullscreen test. Click, tap or press Space for the next colour and ← to go back.
- On each colour, look across the whole screen from a normal distance, then up close. Note any dot that does not match.
- For a stuck pixel, use the fixer for 10–30 minutes. Read the photosensitivity warning first.
Dead, stuck or hot?
- Dead pixel: black on every colour, especially visible on white. The transistor has failed; it rarely recovers.
- Stuck pixel: always red, green or blue, most visible on black. It can often be revived with the flashing fixer or gentle pressure through a cloth.
- Hot pixel: always white. Usually permanent.
- Dust or a scratch: moves or disappears when you clean or change the viewing angle, and looks the same on every colour.
Why use this dead pixel test
- True fullscreenUses the browser’s fullscreen mode and hides the cursor, so nothing gets in the way.
- More than solid coloursGradients reveal banding, and the black screen shows backlight bleed and glow.
- Any screenMonitors, laptops, tablets, phones and smart TVs with a browser.
- Nothing to installCheck a monitor in the shop or right after delivery, before the return window closes.
When to run a dead pixel test
- New monitor or laptop. Check for defects within the return or warranty period.
- Buying second-hand. Test a phone or laptop screen before you pay.
- OLED and TV checks. Look for burn-in and uniformity problems on grey.
- Warranty claims. Count and photograph pixels against the manufacturer’s pixel policy.
Checking a whole setup? Run the mic test, webcam test, keyboard test, mouse test, gamepad tester, sound test and refresh rate test, or browse all device tests.
Example: a green dot on a new monitor
On the black screen there is a bright green dot near the top left; on green it disappears. That is a stuck green sub-pixel. Run the stuck pixel fixer over it for 20 minutes. If it remains, check the manufacturer’s pixel policy: some replace a monitor for a single bright pixel, others need several.
What to expect from the result
The test can show pixel defects but cannot fix dead pixels. The stuck pixel fixer works on some stuck pixels and has no effect on others. Fullscreen may be unavailable in some in-app browsers; the colours still fill the window.
Dead Pixel Test questions
How do I check my screen for dead pixels?
Select Start fullscreen test and step through each colour. A pixel that stays black, white or one colour while the rest of the screen changes is dead, hot or stuck.
Can a stuck pixel be fixed?
Sometimes. Running the flashing stuck pixel fixer over it for 10–30 minutes revives some stuck pixels. Dead (black) pixels usually cannot be fixed.
What is the difference between a dead and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel never lights up and looks black. A stuck pixel is lit in one colour (red, green or blue) all the time.
Does this work on phones and TVs?
Yes. Open this page in the device’s browser and tap to change colours. On TVs, use the remote’s select or right button.
Is the stuck pixel fixer safe?
It is safe for screens but uses rapid flashing. Do not use it if you or anyone nearby may have photosensitive epilepsy, and look away while it runs.