Panel & Backlight
Backlight Bleed Test
Reveal LCD backlight leakage and IPS glow in a dark room.
How to use
- 1Turn off room lights and set brightness to maximum.
- 2Click Start for a full-screen black field.
- 3Inspect the edges and corners for cloudy or glowing patches.
- 4Press Esc to exit.
FAQ
Is some backlight bleed normal?
Yes. Almost all LCD/LED panels have minor bleed. It's only a problem when it's uneven, distracting in normal use, or excessive in the corners.
What's the difference between bleed and IPS glow?
Backlight bleed is light leaking through the panel edges and is visible head-on. IPS glow is a viewing-angle effect that shifts as you move your head.
Tips
- Photograph the black screen with your phone to compare panels objectively.
- Some bleed and IPS glow is normal — only uneven, distracting clouding is a defect worth returning a panel over.
Related tests
Dead Pixel TestFull-screen solid colors to find dead, stuck, and bright pixels.Brightness Uniformity50% gray field and a 9-zone grid to spot uneven backlighting.Blooming TestA bright object on black to judge local-dimming halos.Burn-in TestFull-screen fields and a checkerboard to reveal OLED burn-in.
Related guides
Learn more about what this test reveals and how to act on the results.
How to Test a Monitor Before (and Right After) BuyingWhat to check in the store and at home so you don't keep a monitor with dead pixels, bleed, or the wrong refresh rate.IPS vs VA vs TN vs OLED: Which Panel Should You Get?Color, contrast, speed, and viewing angles compared, with the right pick for gaming, work, and movies.What Is Backlight Bleed and Is It Normal?Light leaking around the edges of an LCD — when to shrug it off and when to return the panel.Backlight Bleed vs IPS Glow: What's the Difference?Both show up as light on a black screen, but they're different problems. Learn how to tell them apart and what's normal.