Stuck pixel vs dead pixel: how to tell them apart

A tiny dot on your screen stays black, red, green, or blue while everything around it changes. It may be a dead pixel, a stuck pixel, or a mark on the screen that only looks like a pixel problem.

You can narrow it down by showing the screen a few solid colors. The Display Test helps you check for pixel defects, and the Stuck Pixel Fixer can try a flashing pattern if the pixel appears stuck.

Check the pixel with solid colors

Open the Display Test and look at the screen's color views. Check the suspicious spot against white, black, red, green, and blue backgrounds.
Look closely without pressing the screen. A phone camera's zoom can help you see the spot, but use your eyes to judge whether it stays in the same place.
Notice which colors show the spot and what color it appears to be. A pixel that stays bright or colored may be stuck; one that stays dark on bright backgrounds may be dead or have a subpixel that is stuck off.
Check the same spot after closing the test and reopening it, or after restarting the computer. If it remains in the same screen position across different content, it is more likely a display defect.
If the spot is bright or colored, try the Stuck Pixel Fixer if you are comfortable with a rapidly flashing pattern. Stop if it causes discomfort, and do not use it if flashing light is a health concern for you.

Pixel defects are tiny, so check from your usual viewing distance too. A mark that moves when you change the image or viewing angle may be dust, a reflection, or surface damage rather than a pixel.

What the result means

A colored dot stays on

This is usually called a stuck pixel. A screen pixel is made from red, green, and blue subpixels. If one or more stay lit while the image changes, the pixel can look red, green, blue, or another bright color. Some manufacturers use terms such as hot pixel or stuck subpixel for specific cases.

A stuck pixel may respond to a changing color pattern, but there is no guarantee. Try the Stuck Pixel Fixer once for a short session, then check the screen again with solid colors. If nothing changes, repeated flashing is unlikely to help.

A black dot stays on bright backgrounds

The pixel may be dead, meaning it does not light up. A pixel can also have one or more subpixels stuck off, which may make it look black or show the wrong color on some backgrounds. These cases can look alike, so a browser test cannot always tell you exactly which part failed.

If the spot is black on white and colored backgrounds but blends into a black background, a pixel or subpixel that is not lighting is more likely. A dead pixel is a hardware fault, so a flashing pattern will not restore it.

The spot changes or disappears

If the dot is gone on some backgrounds, it may be a stuck subpixel rather than a fully dead pixel. If it moves with the image, appears only in one app, or changes when you move your head, check for an image effect, reflection, smudge, or graphics problem before assuming the panel is damaged.

The dot is fixed but its color is hard to judge

Pixel defect names are not used identically by every screen maker. A defect that looks black in one test may be a subpixel that is not lighting, while a bright spot may involve one or more subpixels stuck on. The practical distinction is whether the pixel lights when it should and whether a safe software pattern changes it.

What to try before arranging a repair

Clean the screen gently. Turn off the display and use a clean microfiber cloth. Do not press or rub hard, since pressure can damage the panel or create more marks.
Restart the computer. This rules out a temporary graphics glitch. If the spot remains in the same physical place on the display after startup, it is less likely to be caused by an app.
Check the display resolution. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and check Display resolution. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays. Use the recommended or default resolution, then check the pixel again.
Check another image or device. Open different content, or connect another device to an external monitor. If the dot stays in the same place on the monitor, the monitor is the likely cause. If it appears only with one computer, check its display settings and graphics software.
Try the flashing pattern only for a suspected stuck pixel. The Stuck Pixel Fixer rapidly changes colors in an area to stimulate the pixel. Keep the display at a comfortable brightness and stop if the flashing bothers you. It cannot repair a dead pixel or a physically damaged screen.
Check the warranty and return policy. Screen makers set different limits for how many defective pixels qualify for service. Take a clear photo of the defect on a contrasting background and ask the seller or manufacturer what their policy covers.

When the screen needs repair

If the same dot remains in place across solid colors, apps, and restarts, and the flashing pattern does not change it, treat it as a panel defect. A laptop's built-in display usually needs a panel replacement, while an external monitor may be covered by its warranty or return policy. Check coverage before paying for a repair, especially if the screen has only one visible pixel defect.

Why a pixel test cannot repair the screen

The Display Test shows colors that make defects easier to see. It does not measure each pixel electrically or confirm the exact cause. The Stuck Pixel Fixer displays fast-changing colors in the hope that a subpixel stuck on may start responding again. Because the test runs in a browser, it cannot fix a damaged panel, a failed connection inside the display, or a subpixel that no longer lights.

Nothing you show in these browser tests is a repair diagnosis, so use the screen maker's warranty rules to decide whether to request service.