How to Check Dead Pixels on Monitor & Laptop Screens

Buying a new monitor or laptop? Already own one and noticed a suspicious spot? Here's how to properly check dead pixels on your monitor or laptop screen.

Before You Start

Preparation makes a big difference:

Clean your screen with a microfiber cloth — dust can look just like dead pixels
Dim the room lights — this makes defects easier to spot
Let the monitor warm up — some stuck pixels only appear after the screen has been on for 10+ minutes

Step-by-Step: Check Dead Pixels on Monitor

Open our dead pixel test tool in your browser
Press F11 (Windows) or Control+Command+F (Mac) for true fullscreen
Start with a white screen — dead pixels will appear as black dots
Switch to black — stuck pixels will glow in their stuck color
Cycle through red, green, and blue to check each sub-pixel channel
Pay special attention to screen edges, where manufacturing defects often occur

Checking Dead Pixels on Laptop Screens

Laptops follow the same process, but with a few extra considerations:

Brightness matters: Max out your brightness setting
Viewing angle: Some defects are only visible from certain angles — try tilting the screen
Multiple positions: Check in both open (90°) and flat positions

What Counts as a Defect?

Not all pixel issues are the same:

Dead pixel: Always black, never lights up — this is a hardware failure
Stuck pixel: Always one color (usually RGB) — sometimes fixable
Hot pixel: Always bright white — common on older screens

Manufacturer Policies

Most manufacturers follow ISO 13406-2 standards. Consumer monitors (Class II) may allow up to 2 bright and 2 dark defective pixels. However, many premium brands offer "zero bright dot" guarantees.

Always check your manufacturer's specific policy. Dell, ASUS, LG, Samsung, and Apple all have different standards.

Ready to Test?

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