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Dead Pixel Test

Find — and try to fix — dead, stuck and hot pixels.

10 colors & patterns Repair mode Stays awake

Before you start

Dim the lights and clean your screen first — dust and smudges look like defects. Then choose how the test runs.

How to read the test.

Each flat color makes a different kind of fault pop. Move slowly and look right into the panel.

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On white

A dark or off-color dot is a dead or partially dead pixel.

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On black

A bright dot that won't switch off is a stuck or hot pixel.

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On red, green & blue

A dot missing one channel exposes a stuck sub-pixel.

About the Dead Pixel Test

This free Dead Pixel Test fills your entire display with pure, flat colors so even a single faulty pixel becomes easy to spot. A dead pixel is a tiny dot that no longer changes with the image around it, and against a solid field it stands out instantly. Because the tool runs entirely in your browser, you can launch a dead pixel test online in seconds, with nothing to install and no account to create.

Pixels fail in a few different ways, and naming them helps you decide what to do next. A true dead pixel receives no power and stays black on every color. A stuck pixel is frozen on one sub-pixel, so it glows red, green, or blue. A hot pixel stays fully lit and shows up as a bright white dot. The same screen dead pixel test reveals all three, because each defect betrays itself against a particular background.

How to run the test step by step

Getting an accurate result takes only a minute. Follow these steps:

  • Dim the room and wipe the panel clean, since dust and smudges mimic defects.
  • Click Start test to go full screen, then step through white, black, red, green, and blue.
  • On each flat color, scan slowly from corner to corner and look for any dot that does not match.
  • Enable the grid and checkerboard patterns to surface subtle sub-pixel faults.
  • If you find a stuck pixel, open repair mode and drag the flashing box over it.

Reading the results is straightforward once you know what each background exposes. A dark spot on a white screen points to a dead or partially dead pixel. A bright dot that refuses to switch off on a black screen is a stuck or hot pixel. The pure red, green, and blue screens isolate a single channel, so a missing or extra color reveals exactly which sub-pixel is misbehaving.

Testing monitors, laptops, and phones

The tool adapts to whatever hardware you are checking. For a desktop or external display, a thorough monitor dead pixel test before the return window closes can save you a frustrating exchange later. The same approach works as an lcd dead pixel test on laptops and budget panels, where faint defects are common. On mobile, the dead pixel test iphone and dead pixel test android workflows are identical: tap the right side to advance, the left side to go back, and swipe to reposition the repair box. The screen stays awake throughout so it never dims mid-check.

When a stuck pixel turns up, the built-in dead pixel test and fix feature is worth a try. Repair mode flashes high-speed random color noise over a small draggable area, rapidly cycling the sub-pixels in the hope of nudging a stuck one back to life. Position it over the problem spot and leave it running for five to ten minutes. There is no guarantee, and a genuinely dead pixel cannot be revived this way, but the process is completely harmless to attempt.

Catching defects early matters more than people expect. A new panel may pass a casual glance yet hide a flaw that only a deliberate, full-screen scan will surface. Running this check the day a device arrives gives you the strongest position with a manufacturer warranty & return policy, and it gives you peace of mind that the display you paid for is genuinely flawless.

Frequently asked questions

What is a dead pixel test?

A dead pixel test fills your screen with solid colors and patterns so any faulty pixel stands out against the flat field. Because a healthy pixel blends into the color around it, a dot that stays the wrong shade is easy to catch. This free dead pixel test online runs entirely in your browser, with nothing to install, so you can check any monitor, laptop or phone in under a minute.

How do I check my monitor for dead pixels?

Run this monitor dead pixel test full screen and cycle through the solid colors, scanning slowly from corner to corner for any dot that doesn't match. White and black reveal the most defects, while the pure red, green and blue screens expose stuck sub-pixels. Dim the room and wipe the panel first, since dust and smudges look just like faults.

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

A dead pixel gets no power and stays black on every color. A stuck pixel is frozen on one sub-pixel, showing as a bright red, green or blue dot that is clearest on a black screen. A hot pixel stays fully lit and appears as a white dot on dark backgrounds. The simple rule: dead pixels are always off, stuck and hot pixels are always on.

Can dead pixels be fixed?

A truly dead pixel generally cannot be fixed, because the transistor behind it has failed permanently and the only real cure is replacing the panel. A stuck pixel, however, can often be revived by rapidly cycling colors over it, which is exactly what this tool's repair mode does. It's always worth trying repair mode before assuming a pixel is dead.

How do I fix a stuck pixel?

Open repair mode, drag the flashing noise box over the stuck pixel, and leave it running. The high-speed color changes exercise the frozen sub-pixel and can nudge it back to life, sometimes within 10 minutes, though stubborn ones may need 30 minutes or more. Some people also gently press the spot with a soft cloth while it flashes. There's no guarantee, but the process is harmless to attempt.

Does an online dead pixel test actually work?

Yes. An online dead pixel test is accurate because it shows your own screen pure, full-screen colors that make defects obvious to the eye. The key is to clean the panel first, since dust and smudges are the most common false alarms. A flaw that appears in the same spot across several different colors is a real dead or stuck pixel, not a speck of dirt.

How do I test for dead pixels on an iPhone or Android phone?

Open this page in Safari or Chrome, start the test, then tap the right side for the next color and the left side for the previous one. The dead pixel test iphone and dead pixel test android steps are identical. Set brightness to maximum and turn off True Tone, Night mode or auto-brightness so colors stay accurate. The screen stays awake throughout, so it won't dim mid-test.

How many dead pixels are acceptable, and are they covered by warranty?

It depends on the maker, but many monitors fall under ISO Class II, which tolerates a small number of dead or stuck pixels before a replacement is owed, often 3 to 5 dead pixels on a larger screen. Many brands offer a stricter zero-bright-dot guarantee for stuck pixels. If you bought from a major retailer, their standard return policy is usually the easier path within the first 30 days.

Should I test a new monitor or phone for dead pixels right away?

Yes. Checking within the return window is the best time, because a panel can pass a casual glance yet hide a flaw that only a deliberate full-screen scan will surface. Catching a defect early gives you the strongest position for a warranty & return claim before the policy expires. It's worth running this test the day a new device arrives.

My stuck pixel won't go away or seems to be spreading. What should I do?

If repair mode hasn't worked after a few long sessions, the pixel may be dead rather than stuck, and dead pixels can't be revived. If you notice more bad pixels appearing or a defect that is clearly growing, that points to a failing panel rather than a single quirk. In that case, document it with this test and contact the manufacturer or retailer while your warranty is still valid.

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