Dead Pixel vs Stuck Pixel
Dead pixel vs stuck pixel at a glance
The dead pixel vs stuck pixel question comes down to colour: a dead pixel is dark on every colour, while a stuck pixel shows one fixed colour.
| Dead pixel | Stuck pixel | Hot pixel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looks like | Black dot | Red, green, blue or mixed dot | White or bright dot |
| Best seen on | White and bright colours | Black and contrasting colours | Black |
| Cause | No power or failed transistor | Sub-pixel stuck on or off | All sub-pixels stuck on |
| Can software fix it? | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes |
How to identify a faulty pixel type
- Open the colour test and go fullscreen.
- Check white: a black dot means a dead pixel.
- Check black: a coloured dot is stuck, a white dot is hot.
- Check red, green and blue: a dot visible on only some colours is a stuck sub-pixel.
Then try the stuck pixel fixer for stuck or hot pixels, or read the warranty guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dead pixel worse than a stuck pixel?
Usually yes, because a dead pixel rarely recovers, while a stuck pixel sometimes clears on its own or with a fixer.
Can a stuck pixel become a dead pixel?
It can stay stuck permanently, and a transistor can fail completely over time, but many stuck pixels never change.