How to fix a dead pixel on your monitor or smartphone

A dead pixel doesn't mean a dead display. Here's how to repair it

Pixel problems? You could pay someone to fix it for you or replace the offending screen entirely, but learning how to fix a dead pixel yourself isn’t a complex process.

But before you get started, you’ll need to determine whether you’re facing a dead pixel or a stuck pixel. A stuck pixel is generated when one or two of the subpixels remain on and the rest are off. Its look will vary in appearance based on which subpixels are working properly. A dead pixel, on the other hand, appears when an entire pixel or set of subpixels remain off. Stuck pixels are generally easier to fix than dead pixels.

Also, make sure to check your warranty before you do anything else. A brand-new display or device is a lot better than even the best fixed pixel screen.

JSCREENFIX (WEB)

JScreenFix is the ideal pixel fixing solution for everyone. It’s a web application, meaning no downloads necessary. This also makes it suitable for a wide variety of platforms, including iOS and MacOS.

Step 1: Open your favorite browser and navigate to the JScreenFix homepage.

Step 2: Click the blue Launch JScreenFix button at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: Drag the white noise window to where your stuck or dead pixel is located, and then let it run for half an hour.

JScreenFix claims that most stuck pixels can be repaired in under 10 minutes, but giving it plenty of time to work never hurts. Try using it a couple times if the first run wasn’t successful.

Keep in mind that this method uses both HTLM5 and JavaScript, and may work with LCD or OLED screens. JScreenFix reports a success rate of greater than 60 percent when it comes to restoring stuck pixels. Although your mileage may vary, that’s quite an endorsement for the free tool.

If it doesn’t work though, you could always try one of the platform-specific tools below.

PIXELHEALER (WINDOWS)

PixelHealer is an entirely free application from Aurelitec that’s designed to fix pixel problems. It’s compatible with many versions of Windows, from Windows 10 back to Windows 7.

Once downloaded, PixelHealer will present you with a colored box window and a settings menu. Either click and drag or use the position and size options to place the color box over the area of dead or stuck pixel(s). Taking care not to look directly at the box (especially if you’re sensitive to flashing images), click the Start Flashing button.

The window will then start flashing multiple colors very quickly. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then check the pixel again. Try this a few times to see if it works. It’s more likely to work on a stuck pixel that shows signs of life than a dead pixel which may stay unresponsive, but there’s a chance it can fix both, so give this method a try regardless of how your wounded pixel is behaving.

If you aren’t exactly sure where your pixel problem is, you can use the aptly titled InjuredPixels application. The freemium pixel detector allows you to blank out your screen in multiple colors to test the display. The stuck or dead pixels will then show up against the color wall depending on the damage, which makes them easy to identify.

DEAD PIXELS TEST AND FIX (ANDROID)

With a straightforward name, Dead Pixel Test and Fix (DPTF) is a quick and easy method for locating and potentially repairing dead or stuck pixels. It’s a free app and features an interface that is both self-explanatory and easy to navigate. Like many apps and programs in our guide on how to fix a dead pixel, DPTF lets you cycle through various colors to locate and potentially fix a dead or stuck pixel using an extended series of flashing screens.

Use the Check Dead Pixels function to look for any dead pixels on your display. If you spot some, switch to Fix Dead Pixel, which will display colored noise and bands of different colors over a set period of time. The developers recommend you run it for at least ten minutes, but running it for a couple of hours may produce better results for devices with lots of stuck or dead pixels. Your device is likely to use a lot of power when running this application, so make sure it is well charged or plugged in before starting.