The Complete New-Device Screen Test Checklist

Unboxed something new? Spend ten minutes now so you don't regret it later. Run these tests in order, in a dimly lit room, with brightness at maximum.

1. Dead and stuck pixels

Open the Dead Pixel Test and step through every solid color. Watch for any dot that's the wrong color. A dot that stays black is dead; a dot locked on one color is stuck.

2. Dark-screen defects

Switch to the Black Screen and look for:

• Backlight bleed — cloudy light at the edges (LCD only).
• Dust or debris trapped under the glass.
• Bright (hot) pixels glowing against the black.

3. Bright-screen defects

Switch to the White Screen and look for dark dots, smudges, and yellow/pink tint patches.

4. Uniformity

Run the Brightness Uniformity Test. Compare the center to the four corners — big differences mean uneven backlighting.

5. Color and banding

Use the Greyscale Test and Color Gradient Test to check for banding and tint shifts.

6. Motion (monitors/TVs)

Confirm your panel hits its rated speed with the Refresh Rate Test and check for trails with the Ghosting Test.

What counts as a defect?

Manufacturers tolerate a few dead pixels (see your warranty). But trapped dust, heavy backlight bleed, or obvious tint patches are usually grounds for a return — act while you still can.