Dead Pixel Test
Cycle full-screen solid colors to inspect your display for dead, stuck or hot pixels by eye.
Inspect each color closely. Dark dots on bright colors suggest dead pixels; colored dots on black suggest stuck pixels.
Quick answer
What is the Dead Pixel Test?
A dead pixel test fills your screen with solid colors, one after another, so faulty pixels stand out. A dead pixel stays black on every color, a stuck pixel stays one bright color, and a hot pixel stays white. The full check takes about a minute on any monitor, laptop, TV or phone.
Key features
- Fullscreen white, black, red, green, blue and gray fields
- Auto-cycle mode or step through colors with the arrow keys
- Works on LCD, IPS, VA, OLED and mini-LED panels
- Tips to tell dead, stuck and hot pixels apart
Why use it
- Catch pixel defects before your return or warranty window closes
- Check a used monitor or phone before you pay for it
- Free, private and nothing to install
Built and tested by Whitson Rao
About the Dead Pixel Test
Step through full-screen black, white, red, green, blue and more to inspect your display for dead, stuck or hot pixels. Look closely at each color — this is a visual check, and no software can detect pixels for you.
How to use the Dead Pixel Test
Clean your screen first so dust is not mistaken for a bad pixel.
Press F for fullscreen, then use the arrow keys, click the screen, or enable auto-cycle to move through colors.
Look carefully across the whole panel on each color. A magnifying glass or phone camera zoom helps.
Dark dots on bright colors suggest dead pixels; bright or colored dots on black suggest stuck or hot pixels.
Common uses
New monitor check
Inspect a new monitor, laptop or TV within the return window.
Used device purchase
Check a second-hand phone or laptop before you hand over money.
Warranty evidence
Photograph a defect on a solid color to support a warranty claim.
Routine inspection
Periodically confirm that no new defects have appeared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dead and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel stays dark on every color. A stuck pixel stays lit in one color, like a red dot on black. A hot pixel stays white. Stuck pixels sometimes recover; dead pixels usually do not.
Can this tool fix dead pixels?
No. This test only helps you see defects. Rapid color cycling is sometimes suggested for stuck pixels, but results are not guaranteed and true dead pixels are hardware faults.
How do I report a dead pixel?
Take a clear photo of the defect on the solid color where it is most visible, note its location, and contact the manufacturer or retailer with your proof of purchase.
Sources and further reading
Guides and fixes that use the Dead Pixel Test
- GuideDead Pixel Test: How to Spot Dead, Stuck, and Hot Pixels on Any ScreenLearn how to run a dead pixel test on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. Spot dead, stuck, and hot pixels using full-screen primary colors with step-by-step instructions.
- Screen problemStuck Pixel: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Unstick SubpixelsLearn how to identify stuck pixels vs dead pixels, cycle RGB color screens, and understand safe methods to attempt unsticking sluggish subpixels.
- GlossaryScreen Resolution: Pixel Density (PPI), Viewports, and Scaling StandardsDetailed technical guide to display resolutions, aspect ratios (16:9, 21:9), pixel density (PPI), retina viewing distances, and OS display scaling.