Visual identification guide
Dead Pixel vs Stuck Pixel: What You’re Actually Seeing
The dead pixel vs stuck pixel distinction depends on how one fixed point responds when black, white, red, green, and blue replace ordinary content. No single screenshot or background is enough to classify every mark.
Simplified illustrations exaggerate subpixel size for explanation; they are not panel microscopy.
Compare behavior, not labels
What changes across black, white, and RGB
| Possible cause | On black | On white | On RGB fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead pixel | May blend into the field | May remain dark | May stay dark across all three channels |
| Stuck subpixel | May appear as a fixed color | May create a small tint | May blend with one channel and contrast with others |
| Bright pixel | May appear white or unusually bright | Can be difficult to notice | Brightness or color may vary with the requested field |
| Dust or surface speck | May blend into black | Often casts a dark or soft-edged mark | Usually overlays every color similarly; angle can change its appearance |
Interactive observation path
Sort what you observed
Answer from the same screen coordinate after using controlled fields.
This decision tree organizes observations; it does not inspect the panel or decide warranty eligibility.
Why a black dot is not automatically a dead pixel
A non-responsive pixel is anchored inside the displayed image plane, but a dust grain sits on or above that plane. Both can look like a dark point on white. Change the viewing angle slightly without touching the display: a surface mark can shift relative to the illuminated pixel grid, develop a soft shadow, or catch a reflection. Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the screen finish before repeating the test.
When the mark is larger than a pixel
A cloud, corner glow, bright edge, dark band, or irregular patch belongs in a different description. LCD backlight uniformity, IPS glow, viewing angle, local dimming, mura, pressure damage, and image retention can affect an area. OLED burn-in or temporary image retention also follows shapes and usage history rather than appearing as one isolated RGB element. A solid field can help reveal these effects, but it cannot measure luminance uniformity or determine their cause.
Dead pixel vs stuck pixel language for documentation
If you contact a seller or manufacturer, record the location and the fields where the point is visible. “One fixed red point near the upper-right corner, visible on black and blue but less visible on red” conveys more than an unqualified diagnosis. Policies and allowed defect thresholds vary by product, region, seller, and manufacturer, so check the terms that apply to your specific display.