Dead Pixels vs. OLED Burn-in: What’s the Difference?

You see a faint shadow of a logo or a health bar. Is it burn-in, image retention, or just a cluster of stuck pixels? Diagnosis matters because fixes and warranties differ.

Test your screen now - use white/black for sharp dots and gray/dark red for ghost shapes, then compare photos to confirm burn-in vs pixel defects.

Quick Answer

Sharp dot (black or bright): pixel defect. Test on solid white/black with our dead pixel tester.
Faint ghost shape: likely image retention or burn-in. Test on gray/dark red.
Temporary retention can fade; burn-in is permanent aging.

Dead/Stuck Pixels vs. Burn-in

Dead pixel: Transistor failed; black dot on white.
Stuck pixel: Sub-pixel jammed ON; bright dot on black.
Burn-in / Retention: Region of pixels aged unevenly, leaving a shadow. Looks like a blurred watermark, not a dot.

How to Test Correctly

For pixels: use solid White and Black. Zoom phone camera to 3–5× if needed.
For burn-in: use 50% Gray and Dark Red; ghosting shows best there.
Run tests fullscreen: HardwareTest.org/screen-test.

Common Triggers for Burn-in (OLED)

Static UI (news tickers, game HUDs, channel logos).
Always-on taskbars/docks at max brightness.
High brightness for long hours, especially with static content.
Kiosk/demo loops that never change layout.

Retention vs. Burn-in: How to Tell

Image retention: Temporary, often disappears after 10–60 minutes of varied content or a panel “pixel refresh.”
Burn-in: Persists after rest and pixel refresh; visible across backgrounds (gray/dark red).
Tip: Power off for 30 minutes, then retest on gray. If it fades, it was retention.

Can You Fix It?

Dead/stuck pixels: Stuck may recover with flashing; dead are permanent.
Burn-in: Permanent material aging. Pixel refresh can reduce severity but won’t restore original uniformity. Early intervention (lower brightness, vary content) can slow further damage.

Prevention Playbook

Enable auto-hide taskbars/docks; use dark mode where appropriate.
Rotate static layouts (change HUD positions if games allow).
Reduce OLED brightness for static work sessions; use screen savers.
Run manufacturer “pixel refresh” on OLED TVs/monitors as recommended (often after long sessions or automatically in standby).

When to File a Claim

Check brand-specific burn-in terms (TVs vs. monitors differ). Some gaming OLEDs now cover burn-in for limited years; many consumer monitors do not.
Provide photos on gray and dark red. Note hours on the panel and typical usage (static vs. varied).

Special Cases

LCD image retention: Rare but possible on some IPS/VA; usually fades after rest.
VA glow/IPS glow: Edge brightness on black screens is not burn-in—test on gray.
Uniformity issues from backlight bleed: Visible on black, not on gray as a shadow of UI; different problem.

Bottom Line

Dots → pixel issue. Shadows → retention/burn-in.
Confirm with the right backgrounds.
Prevent by reducing static content + brightness, and test periodically with gray/dark red on the screen test.

Next steps: Recheck with white/black/gray in the Screen Test and keep photos. Want prevention tips? Read OLED Burn-in: Prevention and Testing. Need warranty guidance? See Is 1 Dead Pixel Acceptable? Understanding Monitor Warranties.