Cross-shaped mark on screen: what it means

A cross-shaped mark that stays in one place can look like a damaged screen, but it may also be a gaming reticle or a software overlay. The shape alone does not identify the cause. Check whether it appears in screenshots, on another display, and in the monitor's own menus before trying a fix.

The Stuck Pixel Fixer uses flashing colors to try to free a stuck pixel. First, check whether the mark is actually a pixel problem, since flashing colors will not remove an overlay or repair a damaged panel.

Check where the cross comes from

1. Open the Stuck Pixel Fixer in another tab, but do not start it yet. Note where the cross sits, how large it is, and whether it is a single colored spot, a group of spots, or lines extending across the screen.
2. Open the Display Test and look at the screen's color patterns. Check whether the cross stays in the same physical spot as the colors change, and whether it looks like a tiny cluster or a line spanning many pixels.
3. Take a screenshot, then view that image on another device or screen. If the cross is in the screenshot, it is part of the image being drawn by software. If it is absent, the problem is more likely an overlay that is added after the screenshot, or the display itself.
4. Open the monitor's own menu using its physical buttons, or disconnect its video cable while leaving the monitor on. If the cross appears over the menu or the no-signal screen, the computer is not drawing it.
5. If possible, connect the computer to another screen, or connect another device to the affected monitor. See whether the mark follows the computer or stays with the screen.

What the result means

The cross appears in a screenshot

The mark is in the picture produced by the computer, not a physical pixel that only the display can show. A game reticle, screen overlay, graphics setting, or app can draw a cross at a fixed position. Close games and overlay tools one at a time, then take another screenshot. If it appears only in one app, check that app's settings.

The cross is absent from screenshots but follows the monitor menu

The monitor is drawing the cross independently of the computer. Many gaming monitors have an on-screen crosshair or aim-point feature. Look through the monitor's on-screen display for a gaming or crosshair setting and turn it off.

The mark is a tiny colored spot or a small cluster

A single pixel or a few adjacent pixels that stay bright, dark, or one color may be stuck or dead. A stuck pixel can sometimes change when the display updates, while a dead pixel may remain black. A cross made of several pixels is still possible, but a long, straight line is less typical of a single pixel fault.

A line or cross remains on the monitor's own screen

If it shows over the built-in menu or a no-signal screen, the issue is likely inside the monitor or its panel rather than in an app. A fixed horizontal or vertical line can point to a panel or internal connection fault. A screenshot cannot capture a fault that exists only in the physical display.

The mark follows the computer to another screen

Look for software that draws on top of other windows, or a problem with the graphics output. If the mark appears in screenshots too, start with the app or overlay. If it does not, test another cable or output before concluding that the computer needs repair.

How to fix it

1. Turn off the monitor crosshair. Use the monitor's physical controls to open its on-screen menu. Look for a gaming, aim-point, or crosshair option. The wording and menu location vary by model.
2. Close overlays and games. Quit games, recording tools, and any app that adds marks over other windows. If the cross disappears, reopen programs one at a time to find which one draws it.
3. Check accessibility pointer settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › Accessibility › Mouse pointer and touch and check for a pointer indicator or pointer effect. On macOS, open System Settings › Accessibility › Display › Pointer and review pointer options. A pointer effect usually follows the mouse, so it is less likely if the cross stays fixed while you move the pointer.
4. Check the display connection. Reseat the video cable at both ends. If you have another compatible cable or port, test it. On Windows 11, check the display setup at Settings › System › Display. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays and check that the correct screen is selected.
5. Try the pixel tool only for a small pixel defect. If the mark is a tiny stuck-looking spot, start the Stuck Pixel Fixer for a short attempt. It rapidly flashes colors and includes a timer. Stop if the flashing is uncomfortable. This may help a stuck pixel, but it cannot fix a dead pixel, a line fault, or physical screen damage.

When it's the hardware

If the cross remains on a monitor's own menu or no-signal screen, and it stays with that monitor when you change the computer or cable, treat it as a monitor fault. If the screen is under warranty, photograph the mark on a plain background and contact the manufacturer before opening the device. A laptop display with a persistent line or cluster may need panel service. Do not press, rub, or heat the screen: pressure can make panel damage worse.

For a closer comparison between an overlay and a pixel fault, see Fixed dot on screen: overlay or stuck pixel?