If you suspect you have one, but you aren’t sure, investigate more closely with tools like the Dead Pixels Test or CheckPixels.com. These programs often display solid colors on the entire screen, allowing your eyes to more easily pick out pixels that aren’t functioning properly. Dead pixels can’t be fixed in most cases, but you can sometimes revive those pixels. We have a few solutions for you to try before you send your device out for repairs.
Causes of Dead Pixels
A dead pixel occurs when the transistor that powers it fails to supply power, causing it to remain permanently black, never illuminating. The most common cause of dead pixels is a manufacturing defect. Undetectably small errors in assembly can result in a handful of dead pixels among the millions of functional ones. Dead pixels can also appear later on in a display’s life, mostly as the result of physical damage.
How to Fix a Dead Pixel on Your Monitor, Smartphone, or Tablet
Here are a few things you can try to fix a dead pixel on your device’s display: There isn’t a lot you can do to fix dead pixels; most people tend to buy a new tablet, computer, or TV when pixels start going bad. If you’re not comfortable with replacing the screen yourself (most people aren’t), then the next step is to find a local repair shop if your device is no longer under warranty or break out the wallet. It may go away on its own, but there’s no telling how long it will take. You might have the dead pixel for the remainder of the device’s life, or it might go away in a week. There’s no software to download or install, and it’s suitable for LCD and OLED screens. Many manufacturers have warranties that cover dead pixels, so check your device’s warranty to see if this situation applies to you. Most display manufacturers require a minimum number of dead pixels before the screen can be replaced. For a display the size of a computer monitor, the minimum is typically four to eight dead pixels. Smaller displays have lower minimum requirements. You can examine the dead pixel policies of Acer, Apple, Dell, LG, and Samsung, but the best source is always the device’s specific warranty documents.
