How to Test a Laptop Screen for Dead Pixels

New laptops should arrive with a flawless panel — but defects slip through. Here's how to check yours in under two minutes.

Why test right away?

Most return windows are short. Catching a dead pixel on day one is the difference between a free replacement and living with it for years.

The 60-second test

1. Open the Dead Pixel Test and set brightness to maximum.
2. Click Start to go full-screen.
3. Step through each solid color with the arrow keys.
4. Look closely for any dot that stays the wrong color.

What you're looking for

• A dead pixel stays black on every color.
• A stuck pixel is locked on one color (often red, green, or blue).
• Bright pixels glow on a black background.

If you find a stuck pixel, try the rapid color flash — it revives some of them. Dead pixels usually need a warranty claim.