How-to guide details fix for stuck LCD pixels

We've heard all sorts of myths when it comes to fixing a stuck pixel on an LCD, and while the following methods shouldn't be expected to bring completely dead pixels back from the grave, commenters seem to think the methods are at least somewhat successful in getting pixels out of their single-colored funk. Up first is the flashing colors approach, which points you in the direction of a free java applet that rapidly flashes different hues on the screen to try to get the affected pixel to change. If that fails, you can try applying pressure to the stuck pixel, and if you're still left with the annoyance, you can resort to tapping the monitor with an eraser nub (or similar). So if you find yourself sick of staring at that non-conforming pixel, hit the read link and give the trio of methods a go -- just don't go in expecting any miracles, alright?

[Kris S. @ Dec 24th 2007 9:31AM]

Lucky me, my laptop has no dead pixels. Neither does my Cowon D2. Neither does my camera.

w00t.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Flashpoint @ Dec 24th 2007 9:38AM]

I have 2 fool proof methods:

#1 Either you buy on a credit card which offers you its own insurance plan on electronic (and other products) so you can use that to get your product repaired or refunded...

or

#2 take that sunuvabitch back to the store you bought it from.

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 24th 2007 9:42AM]

One of my LCDs has about 3 stuck pixels since I got it, and none of these methods have ever worked on them.

[mattclarkie @ Dec 24th 2007 9:58AM]

1 year ago I bought a TV, it arrived with 2 stuck pixels on top of each other, blue. It was an LG, so I ring the retailer after doing some checking on the net, and they say it is within manufacturers tolerance. However the policy is if they are in the middle of the screen and within a 5cm diameter of each other that is not within tolerance. The retailer wont budge. I threaten to use the distance selling act, and they haven't even heard of it.

I try all the fixes suggested, none work. Luckily as they are blue they don't notice unless I am using it as a PC monitor and under certain conditions, I can use my 360, PS3 and TV without noticing, but I was just hacked off that a £500/$1000 TV comes in my view, defective.

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 24th 2007 10:10AM]

Wow what brand was it? I didn't try to return mine or anything because first, they were the only 2 left at the store when I bought them, and second, I only notice the pixels when the screen is black.
I had to open a video in Windows Media Player to get the black screen just so I could find them to try these "methods".

[mattclarkie @ Dec 24th 2007 10:47AM]

Lucky Goldstar, or LG. Life wasn't Good when I got that screen.

[Ellianth @ Dec 24th 2007 11:16AM]

@Matt:

In the future use your credit card to buy expensive electronics. When the credit card company takes back it's money, the retailers become your best friends.

[mattclarkie @ Dec 24th 2007 1:31PM]

It was bought on a Credit Card, but because they refuse to call it defective I can't claim on the card insurance. I could have pressured LG for an RMA, but it wasn't worth the hassle for something I only notice occassionally.

I am just about to take delivery of a 46" LCD from Sony, and if this has stuck/dead pixels I will make a fuss about it, as no-one on forums with the TV seems to have any stuck/dead pixels, I think it has a Zero tolerance warranty.

[Nebulus64 @ Dec 24th 2007 9:59AM]

My LCD had a neon green stuck pixel just off the centre of the screen which was bugging me. I tried the java applet with flashing colours, it didn't work.

The article I found also suggested this: Get an object with a fine rounded tip. Something you can press on the pixel that won't pierce your screen. Line the object up, and turn your monitor off. Apply pressure over the stuck pixel, then turn the monitor on. When your screen shows up, release pressure and voila!

It worked perfectly for me, the stuck pixel is gone. Apparently the theory goes that with the pressure, the liquid doesn't flow to the pixel so nothing shows up. When you release the pressure the liquid flows in and acts like a manual reset and everything works normal.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 24th 2007 10:06AM]

I had a stuck pixel in one of my LCD monitors and I found that tapping on the screen the tip of my finger cleared it up. Hasn't stuck since. Just don't use the fingernail. :P

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 24th 2007 1:41PM]

Still got a green dead pixel in the middle of my right LCD. I've tried your method about 4 times now. It's still there.

[Nebulus64 @ Dec 24th 2007 2:01PM]

It's not infallable, I used one of those luggage padlock keys since it had a nice rounded edge, wrapped in a smooth glasses cloth. I admit that as I turned the screen on it slipped and slid up the screen a couple inches, so you may count that as a rub if you like, but it got the job done.

[Sam @ Dec 24th 2007 10:08AM]

I apparently rubbed too hard, the area around the stuck pixel seems to have lost some of it's reflective coating. Beware, these things weren't made to have more pressure applied than when you dust.

3 years ago when I bought my LCD monitor I was told if it had less than 5 stuck pixels I couldn't return it. I think as manufacturing processes have improved that number has dropped over the years. I'm still waiting for and affordable LED backlit or OLED screen with 100% pixel guarantee before I make the plunge to HDTV. Just a few more years...

[Jordan Horwich @ Dec 24th 2007 10:11AM]

I am the one who posted this instructable at instructables.com! I'm kind of surprised that it's on Engadget.

[Alexander @ Dec 24th 2007 10:18AM]

I don't see what the issue is. It's one little dot. Hardly annoying at all.

But then again, I buy all my monitors used so I am used to it.

[supaneko @ Dec 25th 2007 8:33AM]

The issue for most it seems is that with one dead pixel, that becomes the focus of the entire screen. It doesn't seem to matter what you are looking at or browsing around, if you have a dead pixel or two, your eyes will always see them.

When I first bought a plasma, I had this issue (no, I'm being serious). I tried to just "deal with it" but it seemed like no matter what time of day or how far I was from the set, I could always see it. Didn't take long for me to return the set and get a better one.

Then I ended up getting one on my laptop. Tried all of these techniques, none of which seemed to work. So, I replaced the whole screen and now I'm pleased. :)

[Alexander @ Dec 25th 2007 12:50PM]

I have replaced my laptop's screen. I actually got an upgrade from 14 to 15 inches out of it too.

And I can see the argument of "I just paid HOW MUCH for this screen, and it has a blue dot on it? AARRGGH!" as well.

But if you bought it half-price from someone who KNEW about it, or from Craigslist where someone was trying to get rid of the TV... Then you'd deal with it.

But yes. Buying new should == perfect. Hands down.

[Matt @ Dec 25th 2007 11:37PM]

My new Dell monitor had a stuck pixel (still does), but doesn't bother me too much as it's 1680x1050 and unnoticable when I have the Vista Aero taskbar on the screen. Anyone know how long the monitor is covered for if I didn't buy any optional warranties?

[MatthewJ @ Dec 24th 2007 11:03AM]

Not really a coincidence that the photo of the dead pixels is of a Mac ;)

[Miles @ Dec 24th 2007 5:29PM]

Hater.
You got proof?
It's probably some shitty PC Laptop from Dell with an OS X cursor.

[A CHALLENGER APPEARS @ Dec 24th 2007 7:45PM]

@Miles
Click the read link. It'll take you to an Instructables and that has more pictures with a picture of all of the computer, which is, what a surprise, an iMac.

[Josh L @ Dec 24th 2007 11:11AM]

Well that Java applet will either fix my pixel or give me a seizure, and either way the pixel won't be such a big problem anymore.

[Bombaclaat @ Dec 24th 2007 11:25AM]

return to sender

[Rob @ Dec 24th 2007 11:28AM]

The methods described in the article are valid for stuck pixels but not for dead pixels. The difference is that a dead pixel cannot be repaired as it is a manufacturing fault at pixel level. It's simply dead.

A stuck pixel on the other hand is usually frozen in a state, whether it's always full on (white) and full off (black) or in any of the three primary colours (R,G,B), due to a voltage anomaly. This is why flushing colours in high speed, or physically rubbing the LCD panel may fix it as it is altering the voltage in the hopes that the pixel will respond and come back to normal - which works 90% of the time.

I bought a Sumsung 20" LCD monitor last year and it had one stuck pixel. I used a program called UDpixel (http://udpix.free.fr/) which I cannot recommend highly enough for those with stuck pixels. As opposed to flushing the whole screen unnecessarily with colours, you actually can target multiple stuck pixels with control over timers and speed. It also has the option to flush the whole screen with various colours to be able to pin point dead/stuck pixels easier.

It worked by running the program for 30 mins. And that pixel never ever got stuck again after that. I never had to resort to rubbing or banging the screen.

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 24th 2007 1:44PM]

I guess my green little friend here is in that 10% that can't be fixed cause "flushing colours in high speed, or physically rubbing the LCD panel" hasn't done a thing to it.

[Matt @ Dec 25th 2007 11:40PM]

Yeah, I think mine is actually a dead pixel. A certain area is dark though, could be something else I guess.

[Rob @ Dec 24th 2007 11:34AM]

The methods described in the article are valid for stuck pixels but not for dead pixels. The difference is that a dead pixel cannot be repaired as it is a manufacturing fault at pixel level. It's simply dead.

A stuck pixel on the other hand is usually

[Gary J @ Dec 24th 2007 12:05PM]

Now tell me how to get burn-in out of my plasma.

[Jordan @ Jan 20th 2008 3:32PM]

It says how to do that in the article as well. Use this java aplet. http://www.jscreenfix.com/

[zapperdude60 @ Dec 24th 2007 12:12PM]

Lol, a black, non-conforming pixel. It's an emo pixel.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 24th 2007 12:12PM]

(-_////

[mattclarkie @ Dec 24th 2007 1:34PM]

This site failed to fix my stuck pixel, but claims to resolve or atleast improve burn-in, maybe you could give it a go. It recommends firefox.

http://www.jscreenfix.com/

[Racy @ Dec 25th 2007 11:25AM]

yup i was about to post that link, My 19incher got banged in the car on the way to my apartment leaving a huge splotch of stuck pixels in the middle of the screen, I was freaking out and tried anything and everything the java flashy thing fixed it within 20-30 minutes.

[madwh @ Dec 24th 2007 2:16PM]

It worked! THANK YOU!

[Rick @ Dec 24th 2007 8:09PM]

It fixed my stuck pixel!! I had 1 pixel on my 23"HD LCD monitor for two years and I've tried a few of the techniques discussed here. However, that javascript flashy page for 20 minutes + fixed it! Sweet.