How to fix a stuck pixel
- Find it. Press Start Fixer. The screen goes fullscreen on black; press → or swipe to switch to white, red, green and blue until the stuck pixel stands out.
- Tap it. Tap or click exactly on the stuck pixel. A small box of rapidly flashing red, green and blue noise appears centered on that spot. Drag it, or tap elsewhere, to move it.
- Let it run. Leave it flashing for 10–30 minutes; the auto-stop timer ends the session for you. Look away while it runs.
- Check the result. Press Check (or C) to go back to solid colors and see whether the pixel has recovered. Resume if it hasn't.
- Try again with different settings. Switch between RGB noise, RGB cycle and black/white patterns, or change the speed. Some pixels respond to one pattern and not another.
Photosensitivity warning: the fixer flashes rapidly. Do not use it if you or anyone who can see the screen may be sensitive to flashing lights.
Stuck, hot or dead pixel?
Stuck pixel
Shows a fixed red, green, blue or mixed color, most visible on black. One or more sub-pixels are frozen on. Often fixable.
Hot pixel
Stays bright white on every color because all three sub-pixels are stuck on. Sometimes fixable.
Dead pixel
Stays black on every color, most visible on white. The pixel gets no power. Rarely fixable with software.
Dust or debris
A dark speck that moves when you wipe the screen or looks different from an angle. Clean the screen before testing.
Not sure what you have? Run the dead pixel test first: step through the solid colors and note which ones the pixel shows up on.
How the stuck pixel fixer works
Each pixel in an LCD or OLED screen is made of red, green and blue sub-pixels. On an LCD, a stuck sub-pixel is usually a liquid crystal cell that has stopped twisting properly. Rapidly switching the pixel between colors forces the cell to change state many times per second, which can free it again.
The fixer draws one noise dot per physical screen pixel, so every sub-pixel under the box is driven independently, up to 60 times per second. The RGB noise pattern is the most thorough; RGB cycle flashes the whole box through solid red, green, blue, white and black; Black / white switches every sub-pixel fully on and off.
If software doesn't fix it
- Give it more time. Some stuck pixels recover after several sessions spread over a few days.
- Check the warranty. Many manufacturers replace displays with bright or stuck pixels, especially within the first weeks. Test new screens as soon as they arrive.
- Be careful with the “pressure method”. Gently massaging the spot with a soft cloth while the screen is on is a well-known trick, but pressing on a panel can create more dead pixels or damage it. Try it only on an out-of-warranty screen, with very light pressure, at your own risk.
- Never use heat or sharp objects on a screen.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Change color while finding the pixel | ← → |
|---|---|
| Start flashing / pause / resume | Space |
| Nudge the box by 1 px (10 px with Shift) | Arrow keys while flashing |
| Box size | + − |
| Flash speed | [ ] |
| Next pattern | P |
| Spot box / full screen | M |
| Check the pixel | C |
| Exit | Esc |
Frequently asked questions
How do I fix a stuck pixel?
Start the stuck pixel fixer, find the pixel on the solid color screens, then tap or click it to place the flashing box on top. Let it flash for 10 to 30 minutes, then check the pixel on each color. If it is still stuck, repeat a few times before giving up.
Does a stuck pixel fixer really work?
Sometimes. Rapidly cycling colors can free a sub-pixel that is stuck on or off, especially if the pixel became stuck recently. Results vary by panel and are never guaranteed, and it cannot bring back a truly dead pixel that gets no power.
How long should I run the stuck pixel fixer?
Start with 10 to 30 minutes, then check the pixel. If nothing changes, try a few more sessions, including one at the slowest and one at the fastest speed. If several hours in total have not helped, the pixel is unlikely to recover this way.
What is the difference between a stuck pixel and a dead pixel?
A stuck pixel is lit in a fixed color such as red, green, blue or white because one or more sub-pixels are frozen on. A dead pixel stays black on every color because it gets no power. Stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed; dead pixels usually cannot.
Is it safe to use a stuck pixel fixer?
It will not harm a healthy display. It flashes rapidly, so do not use it if you are sensitive to flashing lights, and look away while it runs. On OLED screens keep sessions reasonably short and use the auto-stop timer.
Can I fix a stuck pixel on my phone or TV?
Yes. The fixer runs in any modern browser, including phone and smart TV browsers. On a phone, tap the stuck pixel to place the box over it. On a TV, open the page in the TV's browser or cast it from a laptop and use full screen mode.