How to Check Your Monitor for Dead Pixels (and What to Do)
How to spot dead, stuck, and hot pixels on a new monitor, document the result, and check the seller’s model-specific return and warranty policy.
Test soon after delivery, while the seller’s return period is still open. A defect can be easy to miss during ordinary browsing, especially on a dark scene.
Dead vs. stuck vs. hot pixels
These three defects look similar at a glance. They behave differently, and only one type has a realistic fix.
| Type | Appearance | Fixable? | Common cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead pixel | Always black on every color | No | Transistor failure at that subpixel |
| Stuck pixel | Single bright dot (red, green, or blue) | Sometimes | One subpixel stuck on |
| Hot pixel | Always white or bright on all backgrounds | Rarely | All three subpixels stuck on |
Dead pixels stay black when you cycle through red, green, blue, and white. Stuck pixels show one color no matter what fills the screen. Hot pixels glow on every background, including black.
The first monitor I checked had a stuck green subpixel. It looked like a tiny LED in the corner during dark scenes in Elden Ring. Annoying on a $400 IPS panel. Grounds for return.
How to run the test
Run this before you install drivers or mount the monitor. Keep the return label on until you have inspected the panel at each color.
Step 1: Dim the room. Turn off overhead lights. Close blinds. Ambient light hides faint stuck subpixels on bright panels.
Step 2: Open the test fullscreen. Load the dead pixel test and hit F11 or the fullscreen button. A browser window with toolbars around the edges creates false shadows at the edges.
Step 3: Cycle through solid colors. Each color reveals a different defect type:
- Red exposes stuck green or blue subpixels (they appear as bright dots against red)
- Green exposes stuck red or blue subpixels
- Blue exposes stuck red or green subpixels
- Black exposes dead pixels and hot pixels (dead = black dot, hot = bright dot)
- White catches dead pixels that only show on light backgrounds
Step 4: Scan at arm's length, then close up. Sit at your normal gaming distance first. Move to 12 inches and scan each quadrant slowly. Defects near the center bother you more than edge defects during daily use.
Step 5: Repeat on each input. Test HDMI and DisplayPort separately. A bad cable can look like a dead pixel. Swap cables before you file a return.
I test at native resolution with no scaling. Windows display scaling at 125% or 150% can blur the test pattern and hide single-pixel defects.
What to do when you find one
Document first. Take photos of the defect against red, green, and blue backgrounds with your phone camera. Include the monitor model label in one shot. Warranty teams reject claims without clear evidence.
Warranty policies vary by model:
| Policy question | Why it matters | |------------|-------------------|---------------| | How many bright or dark defects are allowed? | Tolerance is model- and region-specific | | What is the seller’s return deadline? | It is separate from the manufacturer warranty | | Does the manufacturer offer an exchange program? | Some product families have additional criteria |
Do not use a brand-level rule as a guarantee. Current manufacturer guidance can distinguish bright and dark subpixels, model families, and exchange programs; the seller’s return deadline is separate. Check the exact support page for the display you bought before filing a claim.
Stuck pixel fixes worth trying before you return:
Avoid pressing hard on the panel or presenting a home “fix” as a warranty-safe procedure. A stuck subpixel may be temporary, but a persistent defect should be documented and handled under the seller or manufacturer’s policy. Dead pixels caused by a failed transistor generally do not recover through software.
Your full setup check
A clean panel means nothing if the rest of your desk setup has problems. After the pixel sweep, you can run a keyboard test and mouse test while the seller’s return period is still open.
Once the panel passes, dial in your viewing distance with the FOV calculator. A 27-inch 1440p panel at 24 inches feels different from the same panel at 30 inches. Match your in-game FOV to your physical setup so crosshair placement feels consistent across titles.
Bottom line
Test every new monitor on day one. Ten minutes in a dead pixel test catches stuck subpixels and dead transistors before your return window closes. Take photos. Keep the box.
If you notice a defect after mounting the display, document it before moving or disassembling anything and follow the seller or manufacturer’s instructions.
Sources and scope
Pixel tolerances and exchange rules are model-specific. See Dell’s current display pixel guidelines as an example of why the exact model and policy matter.