Dead Pixels vs Stuck Pixels: How to Tell the Difference Fast

A dead pixel normally stays dark because it is not producing light. A stuck or bright pixel remains lit in one color or white. The safest way to tell them apart is to inspect the same point on white, black, red, green, and blue screens.

Open the Dead Pixel Test in full screen, clean the panel gently, and view it from a normal working distance before moving closer.

A repeatable color sequence

1. Show white and mark any point that stays black.
2. Show black and mark any point that stays bright.
3. Show red, green, and blue to see whether only one subpixel is affected.
4. Exit full screen and confirm the mark is not dust, a cursor, or page content.
5. Repeat after restarting the display and reconnecting the cable.

Take a photo only as documentation. Camera focus, sensor noise, reflections, and image processing can exaggerate or hide tiny defects, so make the classification with your eyes across several solid colors.

Result guide

What a browser can and cannot confirm

The test provides controlled colors that make a persistent point easier to see. It cannot inspect the panel electrically, identify the failed component, or decide warranty eligibility. Manufacturers use their own definitions and thresholds, which can differ by product line and region.

Avoid rubbing, tapping, or pressing a new display. Physical pressure can damage the panel and may complicate a return. If the point is bright rather than dark, read Can Dead Pixels Be Fixed? before trying any software pattern. For a broader diagnosis, use the screen defect guide.

Document the finding

Record the model, serial number, purchase date, defect location, tested colors, and whether it appears from another source device. Check the seller's return window first, then the manufacturer's current pixel policy. Do not assume that one brand's policy applies to another monitor.