How to fix a dead pixel on your PC monitor or screen

In this guide I tell you everything you need to know about the dead pixel, a phenomenon that is difficult to solve on current monitors.

In the following paragraphs, I am going to explain what is a dead pixel, how to detect if your monitor has one and what possibilities of solving this problem you have. Of course, I am also going to tell you the differences between a pixel that has stopped working permanently and one that has gotten stuck.

All this information interests you if you have detected black spots on the monitor or on the screen of your laptop PC. Read each and every one of these sections carefully to have all the information about this common failure in current panels.

What exactly is a dead pixel?

The pixel is the smallest unit of a display panel. A set of many pixels allows the user to display images on his device. If we talk about a dead pixel, we do so in reference to digital screens, such as monitors, televisions and mobile devices. Refers to a small dot on the screen that doesn’t work properly and often shows a fixed color, usually black, regardless of what information is being displayed on the rest of the screen. Simply put, this happens when one of the smaller drives in the panel stops working.

In this image you can see what exactly is a dead pixel, which is always off and therefore shows up as a black dot

This phenomenon occurs due to a transistor failure or in the electrical components of the pixel, which causes it to be unable to change its state and remains locked in one position. The effects produced by a dead pixel are very annoying for users, especially when they are in areas of the screen where they are visible at all times, such as the center of the image.

Differences between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel

The terms dead pixel and stuck pixel are used interchangeably at times. However, this is a common mistake. Some people use these expressions to describe the same problem, but both faults are not the samebeing produced for different reasons.

a dead pixel it’s a pixel that doesn’t work at all, remaining off in any circumstance. It is due to a permanent defect in the transistor or electronics of the pixel, resulting in it not being able to operate. Unfortunately, dead pixels are difficult or nearly impossible to repair, since the defect is of a physical nature. Typically, it cannot be corrected without replacing the entire screen.

On the other hand, a stuck pixel is one that shows a fixed color, either white, black, red, blue or green, regardless of what is displayed on the rest of the screen. This type of pixel has a temporary problem in the electrical component, causing the pixel to get stuck in a specific state. Fortunately, there are some methods to solve this problem, such as pressing gently on the area or using pixel repair programs, they can solve this error in some cases.

Detection of dead or stuck pixels

detect correctly dead or stuck pixels on a screen it is crucial to ensure an optimal viewing experience.

There are a number of tools available to perform this task, but you can also follow some simple steps to troubleshoot these issues:

• normal observation. With the usual display performance, displaying a variety of content, dead or stuck pixels can become self-evident. Paying attention to any point on the screen that always shows the same color, regardless of the content, can indicate a stuck pixel.
• Test from the browser. An easy way to detect dead pixels is to access a Web page that offers a pixel test. Some sites present different colors on the screen, allowing you to check if any pixel is not responding correctly to the color change.
• Test with full screen video. Another alternative is to play a video full screen, preferably with solid colors or distinct color patterns. Taking a close look at the screen can help identify dead pixels that are not easily noticed with regular content. So you don’t have to search, we attach one just above this list.
• Use of specialized applications. In addition to the tests mentioned, there are apps and software available specifically designed to detect dead or stuck pixels. These tools can stimulate the pixels and help restore their normal function.

Fix a dead or stuck pixel

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a pixel is definitely dead or stuck. For this reason, in all cases, we recommend try the following method to try to save your screen. The truth is that, even if it is not useful for you and does not solve the problem, you do not lose anything by trying it.

This simple tool can help to reactivate a pixel that is not permanently dead and is stuck

From your device, do the following:

1. Access this website.
2. Press on the button Launch dead pixel fixer.
3. The fixer displays in a memory an image that forces the pixels to change their state and color in milliseconds. Drag the box to the area where the problem pixel is.
4. If the pixel is completely dead, the black dot will not disappear. Conversely, if you are stuck, you can possibly recover by being forced to change your state multiple times in a short time.

Claim the manufacturer, if the monitor or PC is under warranty

In general, dead pixels are considered a manufacturing defect. For this reason, most manufacturers of electronic devices offer warranties that cover the repair or replacement of screens that have this problem.

In many cases, dead pixels cannot be removed without changing the entire screen, so it’s important to be vigilant when buying new devices and check for dead pixels in order to request a replacement within the warranty period. Remember that in Spain you have a total of 3 year warranty for any electronic device you purchase after January 1, 2022.