Dead vs Stuck vs Hot Pixels: How to Tell Them Apart

Not every bad pixel is the same. Telling them apart decides whether you can fix it or need a warranty claim.

Dead pixel

Receives no power, so it's always black on every color. Run the Color Test — if a dot stays black on white, red, green, and blue, it's dead. Dead pixels are rarely fixable in software.

Stuck pixel

A sub-pixel is locked on, so the pixel shows a fixed color (red, green, blue, or a mix). It stands out most on a contrasting background. Stuck pixels can often be revived.

Hot (bright) pixel

A pixel stuck fully on — it glows white or bright against a Black Screen. Like stuck pixels, sometimes recoverable.

Quick identification table

• Black on all colors → dead.
• One constant color → stuck.
• Bright white on black → hot.

Next steps

For stuck/hot pixels, try the fixes in our stuck pixel guide. For dead pixels, check your manufacturer's dead pixel policy.