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I have an LCD screen with a pixel that is stuck ON (that is, bright). What do you suggest to fix it (it's not a dead pixel)?
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I have an LCD screen with a pixel that is stuck ON (that is, bright). What do you suggest to fix it (it's not a dead pixel)?
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Software Method
JScreenFix – A website that randomly turns on and off each pixel at up to 60 times a second to fix stuck pixels.
DPT 2.20 – A Windows application to help locate and identify dead/stuck pixels. It also has a pixel exerciser built in to possibly get lazy pixels working again.
UDPixel 2.1 – A free Windows application which help you to locate and fix 1 or more stuck pixels.
LCD Scrub – An US$18 Mac-only screensaver that flashes various patterns on the screen to fix burn-in
If this fails, complete the following steps.
Pressure Method
Tapping Method
about:blank
and going to fullscreen with F11 is good for this) to verify that you haven't accidentally caused more damage than you fixed.Heat Method
This method is useful if large areas are discolored or even black. It works best with laptops, but it may work with separate monitors, too. By using this method, you are exposing your computer to the risk of damaging the processor and/or other components by overheating. If you do this, you should be willing to accept the loss of your computer (for laptops), or monitor (for stand-alone screens). You should backup your data before trying this method. In particularly bad cases of damage, the effect may not work completely, or the fix may not be permanent.
Tips:
If the pressure and tapping don't work directly on the stuck pixel, start moving outward around the stuck pixel. If you see the pixel flicker while doing this then you know where you can focus the pressure and tapping techniques rather than directly on the pixel.
Many people report success with this technique, but these instructions won't work in every case. It may take a few attempts to make sure you are pressing exactly on the stuck pixel. These instructions will fix "stuck" pixels, not "dead" ones. Dead pixels appear black while stuck pixels can be one constant color like red, blue or green. An alternative, but similar technique involves gently massaging the stuck pixel with a warm damp (not wet) soft cloth.
Alternative technique to tapping: Using a rounded pencil eraser, push with moderate pressure into screen at stuck pixel.
If these instructions don't work, you can hopefully get the monitor replaced through your manufacturer. If your monitor falls under the specifications of replacement, get in contact with the manufacturer to set up replacement plans.
Warnings:
Do not attempt to open the monitor as it will void the warranty and the manufacturer will not replace it.
Make sure you don't get any electrical equipment wet or it may break.
Some people claim that touching the screen can cause more pixels to become stuck, although this has not been proven.
LCD displays are composed of multiple layers. Each layer is separated by very small glass spacers. These spacers and the individual layers are very delicate. Rubbing an LCD panel with a finger or even a cloth can cause the spacers to break and cause further issues beyond the original pixel fault. As such, most repair technicians with service certifications are trained not to use the rub or tap methods - use them at your own risk.
Most LCD manufacturer warranties for LCD displays will cover replacement of the panel when the display reaches a certain number of pixel anomalies. These warranties, however, generally will not cover damage caused by rubbing the screen so use extreme caution and contact the manufacturer before proceeding to see if you qualify for repair or replacement.
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki building the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Fix a Stuck Pixel on an LCD Monitor. Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.
1I tried almost all of the methods Molly mentioned (with the exception of LCD Scrub) and one of them fixed it. In the end I actually think the simple Pressure Method was what fixed it. Mollys answer blew me away - I have never received a more comprehensive answer to a question in ANY forum on the internet, I was a little overwhelmed by her response and I accidentally down voted her in my fluster!(fixed now) Four months after I asked the question I'm still talking about SA and Mollys answer to my friends - but I must admit, I take the credit for fixing the screen!! (See above answer) – Matt 'Trouble' Esse – 2010-01-30T23:51:18.747
Molly, the information is good, but you should make it clearer that your answer is 95% cut and pasted from another site and as it stands is a potential copyright infringement... – Roddy – 2010-02-05T09:51:54.147
@Roddy - 1. there is a very prominent link to the source, right at the end of this article. 2. i don't see any copyright at the source, which is (as you may not have noticed) a wiki which can be edited by anyone. 3. if i have infringed your personal rights in any way, let me know and i will take appropriate action and have this answer removed. – None – 2010-02-05T12:02:42.847
@Molly: wikihow material is under a Creative Commons license and has clear attribution requirements, http://www.wikihow.com/wikiHow:Attribution. You can check your compliance there. Bear in mind that all superuser.com content is in turn covered via another license... :-(
My feeling is that you should simply post the link as your answer. The origin of the material is then totally unambiguous. And don't worry, my personal rights are fine, thanks!
1I just tried the "pressure method," and it works. – Keltari – 2011-08-25T03:42:27.070
8Wow. Almost makes me wish I had some stuck pixels so I could try this out. Will recommend to a friend who has 8 stuck pixels. – pelms – 2009-09-09T09:57:18.723
1+1 as well. That's a lot of information! – alex – 2009-09-09T10:12:51.703
+1 from the person who asked the question (and also accepted this answer) I've downloaded Dead pixel tester and will test it overnight; The irony of having to scroll my screen up and down to read you answer, around the area of my screen that has the problem, was not lost!! – Matt 'Trouble' Esse – 2009-09-09T11:22:27.820
3I'd rather see the article copy/pasted with a link to the source as sometimes the source could become a bad link or otherwise inaccessible. – databyte – 2011-11-17T18:38:54.657
1@matt, results? – bobobobo – 2009-11-07T01:00:52.967
3and you just downvoted this post why? ^^ if you have more and/or better information, feel free to leave a comment or edit the post (if you have enough rep to do so), but this is just riduculous. – None – 2010-01-05T16:59:22.653
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I would advice that you ignore it, I have an old cheap display that has had 4 stuck pixels since new.
It bothered me and I tried a variety of those hoccus pockus methods with no luck at all, from massaging to those weird screen savers.
Considering an average display has around 1 to 2 million pixels then one stuck pixel isn’t that big a deal. Now I don't even notice them.
1I have the same problem with floaters in my right eye (not kidding). The doctor said I'd get used to them, and he was right. – Dan Rosenstark – 2010-01-30T10:57:08.220
1Might be appropriate advice for individual stuck pixels, but clusters are much harder to ignore and this fails to actually answer the question. (Plus, a lot of dead pixels fix very quickly -- <1 second -- so it doesn't take long at all to take a quick stab at it) – MaulingMonkey – 2012-12-24T22:55:46.320
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I have flicked the LCD screen with the back of my nail on my index finger and found that this fixed the pixel instantly on at least 2 different monitors.
Give it a try, if it doesn't work after 4-10 flicks, I would stop as you probably can't fix that one and will have to resort to one of the other methods suggested.
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You could try a "stuck pixel fixer" program, like one of these.
I tried one a few years ago but it didn't fix the pixel unfortunately :-( . Maybe you'll have more luck.
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There are lots of apps out there that try and sort this by repeatedly changing the colour of the pixel. This web site http://www.jscreenfix.com/basic.php can do it you just put the window with the flashing colours under the stuck pixel then leave it running for several hours. I've heard that this will work with some stuck pixels I've also heard that gentle pressure sometimes works. Personally the one time I had a stuck pixel nothing worked I just had to live with it.
This site lists some other apps as well as a description of how to try the pressure method http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-software-solutions-to-fix-a-stuck-pixel-on-your-lcd-monitor/
1@Matt 'Trouble' Ease, you accepted Molly's answer, did it work? Which method? – Dan Rosenstark – 2010-01-30T10:55:39.643
I tried almost all of the methods Molly mentioned (with the exception of LCD Scrub) and one of them fixed it. In the end I actually think the simple Pressure Method was what fixed it. Mollys answer blew me away - I have never received a more comprehensive answer to a question in ANY forum on the internet, I was a little overwhelmed by her response and I accidentally down voted her in my fluster!(fixed now) Four months after I asked the question I'm still talking about SA and Mollys answer to my friends - but I must admit, I take the credit for fixing the screen!! – Matt 'Trouble' Esse – 2010-01-30T23:50:45.190