How to tell a dead pixel from a stuck pixel
Engadget outlines the visual differences between the two faults and the checks users can make before seeking a replacement.
A bright, fixed-colour dot on a monitor or other electronic display is likely to be a stuck pixel, while a dot that remains black is generally a dead pixel. Engadget says the two problems can look similar but differ in both appearance and repairability.
Stuck pixels remain illuminated in a constant colour, such as red, green or blue. They may often be returned to normal through troubleshooting, although a successful repair is not guaranteed.
Dead pixels are no longer functioning and remain black. Engadget presents them as generally unable to be salvaged, leaving users with the choice of replacing the display or tolerating the fault.
Before diagnosing a pixel problem, users should clean the display and check whether the issue continues across different applications. Trying another cable or input device can also help rule out broader display or connection problems.
Pixel-testing websites and apps, including Dead Pixel Buddy, can help identify the fault. Engadget also mentions JScreenFix and Dead Pixels Test and Fix, which claim to address stuck-pixel issues, though their effectiveness is not independently established.
Diagnosis can be more difficult when a stuck pixel appears intermittently, particularly if power or heat problems are involved. In those cases, testing soon after the fault reappears may provide a clearer result.
