Dead pixel vs stuck pixel

People use "dead pixel" for any visible dot defect, but dead, stuck and hot pixels behave differently — and the difference matters when you compare your observation with a pixel policy. A browser color test can help you find the anomaly and describe it precisely; the final interpretation remains yours.

Updated October 17, 20263 min read

What a dead pixel looks like

A dead pixel is a pixel that no longer receives power. It usually appears as a black dot on white and colored fields, because the pixel stays off while everything around it lights up. On a black field it disappears.

What a stuck pixel looks like

A stuck pixel has one subpixel — red, green or blue — held on. It shows as a small colored dot that is easiest to spot on a black field, and it changes appearance as the background color changes.

Hot pixels: the third variant

A hot pixel has all three subpixels fully on, so it shows as a bright white dot on an otherwise black field. Like a stuck pixel, it vanishes on bright backgrounds and stands out on dark ones.

How to tell which one you have

Open the dead pixel test and cycle through solid black, white, red, green and blue:

Dark dot on white and colors → likely dead.
Colored dot on black (red, green or blue) → likely stuck.
White dot on black → likely hot.

Note the location and which fields the dot appears on. That description is exactly what a pixel policy usually asks for.

Can you fix a dead or stuck pixel?

Be skeptical of pressure and "pixel massage" methods — pressing on the panel risks causing more damage than it fixes. Stuck pixels sometimes recover on their own after the display runs varied content for hours or days. Dead pixels essentially never do. Nothing here is guaranteed, so judge from what your panel actually does over time.

Does the difference matter for a return?

Often yes: some policies count dead and stuck pixels separately, or tolerate a certain number of each. Record your observation in a guided inspection report, compare it with the seller's policy, and raise it inside the return window while an exchange is still easy.

Questions this guide answers

Can a stuck pixel fix itself?

Sometimes. A stuck pixel can start working again on its own or after the panel shows varied content for a while, but there is no guarantee. A dead pixel almost never recovers. Either way, record what you see before deciding what to do.

Are dead pixels covered by warranty?

It depends on the manufacturer or retailer policy. Some policies tolerate a small number of faulty pixels before accepting a claim, others replace the panel for a single one. Check the policy that applies to your purchase and keep a record of the defect.

Do dead pixels spread?

A dead pixel is a fault in one pixel and does not spread to its neighbors. If you see damaged areas growing instead of single isolated dots, that points to a different panel problem — record it and contact the seller.