What Is a Dead Pixel? Dead vs Stuck Pixel Explained

If you have spotted a tiny dot on your screen that never changes, you may be looking at a dead pixel or a stuck pixel. They look similar but are not the same thing, and the difference decides whether the dot can be fixed. This guide explains what a dead pixel is, how it differs from a stuck pixel, what causes them, and what you can realistically do about them.

What is a dead pixel?

A modern screen is made of millions of pixels, and each pixel contains three sub-pixels: red, green and blue. A dead pixel is a pixel whose sub-pixels no longer receive power, so it stays completely black no matter what the screen displays. Because it produces no light at all, a dead pixel is easiest to see on a white or bright background, where it appears as a small black dot.

Dead pixels are usually caused by a broken transistor that can no longer drive the pixel. Once a pixel is truly dead, it is rarely recoverable, because the cause is a hardware fault rather than a temporary state.

Dead pixel vs stuck pixel vs hot pixel

These three terms are often confused, but they describe different faults:

• Dead pixel — receives no power and stays black on every background. Usually permanent.
• Stuck pixel — still receives power but is frozen on one color, often red, green, blue or white. It stands out against backgrounds of other colors and can sometimes be revived.
• Hot pixel — a sub-pixel stuck fully on, so the pixel glows bright (often white) even on a black screen.

The quickest way to tell them apart is to cycle your screen through solid red, green, blue, white and black. A dead pixel stays dark on every color; a stuck pixel disappears on the color it is stuck on and stands out on the others.

How to check your screen for dead and stuck pixels

You do not need any software. Open our free dead pixel test, go full screen, and step through each solid color. Inspect the screen closely on every color, including pure white and pure black. Clean the screen first, because dust and smudges can be mistaken for pixel defects.

What causes dead pixels?

• Manufacturing defects, which is why inspecting a new display early matters.
• Transistor failure inside the panel as it ages.
• Physical pressure or impact on the screen.
• Long exposure to extreme heat or humidity.

Can dead pixels be fixed?

A genuinely dead pixel usually cannot be fixed at home, because its sub-pixels receive no power. A stuck pixel is a different story and can often be revived by rapidly cycling colors, which exercises the sub-pixels. If your dot changes as you switch backgrounds, it is probably stuck rather than dead — try our free Pixel Fixer. For more detail, see can dead pixels be fixed? and how to fix stuck pixels.

Are dead pixels covered by warranty?

Sometimes. Many manufacturers reference the ISO 9241-307 standard, which groups pixel defects into classes, but each brand sets its own threshold for how many dead or stuck pixels a panel must have before it qualifies for replacement. That threshold varies by brand, product class and region, and premium or zero-bright-dot warranties are stricter. Always check the pixel policy for your exact model before buying or making a claim. Our guide on dead pixel warranty cover explains what to look for.

Summary

• A dead pixel stays black on every color and is usually permanent.
• A stuck pixel is frozen on one color and can sometimes be revived.
• Test any screen in seconds with our dead pixel test.
• Try the Pixel Fixer for stuck pixels.
• Check your manufacturer pixel policy for warranty cover.