How to repair a dead monitor pixel? Checking the monitor for dead pixels, how to restore them, and is it possible? These white and red dots on the monitor do not allow you to work peacefully
When a person buys a new device from the world of technology, he wants to get a perfect device without any flaws, flaws or dead pixels. This desire is quite natural, since some gadgets cost quite a lot of money. And when the user pays the amount of his monthly salary, he wants to be sure of the quality of the purchased product and the absence of various problems. One of these popular defects in both new and used devices is a dead pixel. But before going over this drawback, you need to figure out: what is a dead pixel and what types of it are there?
Many tablet owners face a similar problem.
Dead pixels are constantly burning or non-functioning dots, otherwise called subpixels, on the device screen. They may also not work at all and produce a black color. Broken pixels are visible only in light colors: white, light gray and the like. Therefore, they are considered the most “harmless” or “harmless”. Unfortunately, such pixels in most cases cannot be treated. Another type is luminous bright multi-colored dots. They can be green, red, yellow, turquoise or purple. These are the more common dead subpixels. They are also called “stuck” pixels.
The reasons for this type of problem may vary. For example, simple overheating of the device, moisture ingress, high pressure on the monitor, and even prolonged playback of a static picture (for example, long-term use of plain wallpaper). It happens that there are dead pixels on a new device. Sometimes they can disappear on their own. But, of course, it is better to diagnose the problem in advance if you are going to buy a tablet. As they say, you can even before it appears.
Checking the device display
Sometimes in normal everyday work it is very difficult to notice a dead pixel, even if it is there. Therefore, alternating images with different colors. So, how can you check your tablet computer for dead pixels?
- By playing a special video. It displays the sequence of primary colors, as well as their gradients and other variations. This will allow you to fully view the monitor and see if there are any dead pixels.
- If you can't play the video, you can simply watch a collection of monochromatic images. Browse through the built-in gallery with original photos and carefully examine the screen.
- There is a program called Nokia Monitor Test. She also diagnoses the monitor. True, it is unlikely to be installed on new devices, so you can write it to a flash drive and check it from there. This application is available for tablet computers on the Windows platform.
- The Monitor Test52 utility also does a good job of checking the screen for flaws that are associated with the operation of the matrix and perfectly diagnoses all defects on the screen.
- View special pictures for verification that you can download from the Internet. They are static images of certain colors.
Do not forget that currently almost all stores provide 14-day testing of the purchased device. But in case of a return, you must return the gadget fully assembled and without installed software - that is, it must be “out of the box.” If you activated the tablet, then a return is possible only when the number of dead pixels is more than two per square centimeter. But this indicator may vary depending on other parameters. So you definitely need to clarify this point.
How to remove dead pixels
So, after a deep check of the device for the presence of dead pixels, you are finally convinced of their presence. You can try to restore. But we must remember that existing methods cannot guarantee their complete disappearance, since this depends on the type of broken subpixels. In this case, you need to contact a service center or try to take the device to a repair shop under warranty.
![](https://i0.wp.com/protabletpc.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/screen-burn-in-tool.jpg)
Now you have learned how to check your tablet for dead pixels and carry out diagnostics yourself. It will help you avoid further problems with the warranty service if you diagnose the device's display before purchasing it. We also saw ways to eliminate this problem to make using the device more enjoyable.
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Nowadays, for any user of modern household and computer equipment, the phrase “dead pixels” causes nothing but a headache and a bad mood. But what is it really and how scary is it to be the “lucky” owner of equipment with these same dead pixels?
First, let's figure out the principles by which modern TVs and monitors work. They form an image using many dots, which are called pixels. When they change their color, the image on the screen also changes, and we see the picture formed from these dots. In modern monitors, a matrix is installed, called active - in it, a separate thin-film transistor is responsible for controlling each pixel (that is why such screens are called TFT, from English. If one of these transistors fails for some reason, we can observe the phenomenon which is called a dead pixel on the monitor.
Due to a technical malfunction of the transistor, such dots do not change their color when the image on the screen changes and appear as a black dot. Although it should be taken into account that dead pixels can be not only black - on a black background such a dot is usually white, and there are also red, blue and green faulty pixels. In our time, such a malfunction can be corrected in a specialized workshop. To do this, it is necessary to replace the corresponding failed transistor, and it will again be able to perform its functions.
But it happens that dead pixels on the monitor are formed not due to the failure of the transistor, but due to the so-called stuck dots. Typically, a jam is accompanied by the appearance of a light dot on a dark background, which does not change its color under any circumstances. Such a defect, unlike a “black spot,” can be tried to be corrected at home using some physical or software manipulations.
It should also be noted that the world's leading manufacturers are currently establishing special standards that allow a certain number of faulty pixels in various standards. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the percentage of defects among matrices operating on liquid crystals is quite high. You should pay attention to this nuance if you are going to contact a repair shop under warranty. A table of acceptable defective pixels is included in the standard called "ISO-13406". It can be easily found on the Internet on the websites of many leading manufacturers of LCD monitors.
Many users often have a question: how difficult is it to see dead pixels with the naked eye? It is unlikely that it will be possible to answer this unambiguously. This is due to the fact that when buying a monitor, sellers very often show us bright, changing images, thereby not allowing us to properly examine the display in different situations. For example, it happens that a defective red dot can only be seen on a green background, and even then a certain shade. Therefore, you should check your purchase very carefully. This can also be done using special programs. One of the best such utilities is “Nokia Monitor Test”, which allows you to test your monitor for various defects, readability, moire and damaged pixels.
Don’t forget that you can try to “cure” the so-called stuck dead pixels (not black dots, but colored dots) at home. To do this, you can use special programs (one of the best such utilities is called “ScreenFix Deluxe”) or try to massage the defective area of the display with a cotton swab. The main thing is not to overdo it during such a “massage”, since the chance of further damaging the display or its anti-glare coating is quite high.
Here is the promised continuation of the material on the treatment of dead pixels on LCD monitors.
What are “dead pixels”, what are they, how are they diagnosed and how are they treated, and why, in fact, you can’t just exchange a defective monitor under warranty - we talked about all this in the first part of our article. Those who have just joined us can get to know her.
Well, for now we will continue to get acquainted with other treatment methods.
Having sifted through mountains of information on the World Wide Web, we came to the conclusion that all methods available at home for treating dead pixels on LCD monitors can ultimately be divided into two main methods: software - a method of aligning pixels using high-speed color changes in the defective area, and mechanical - a method of direct physical impact on a stuck pixel. But there are several ways to implement them, some of which you met in our first article. Now it's time to explore other options.
Software methods for treating dead pixels
With utility ScreenFix Deluxe you met in our . We can only add that the 20 free minutes of work declared by the manufacturer is often not enough for complete treatment, and you need to buy a license. But there is another option. On the page http://www.jscreenfix.com/video.php developer ScreenFix Deluxe Ready-made video files recording the therapeutic effect of the program have been posted for free download. Files are available in various formats and for various monitor resolutions. There are even files for mobile phones and PDAs. Also on this page there are disk images that can be burned onto a blank disc and played on a home DVD player - you can try to cure, for example, an LCD TV.
Another program of this kind is completely free. You can download it from our website. The utility is very easy to use. On the left side of its working window there are buttons that allow you to fill the monitor screen with some uniform color - this will help to accurately determine the location of defective pixels. On the right side are the main settings. You can select the number of dead pixels that you want to treat simultaneously, the size of the treatment areas - 1x1 or 5x5 pixels, and the flicker frequency - the developers recommend setting it equal to the response time of your monitor. If you don’t know him or are not sure of the accuracy of the information, leave everything as is. After launch, a small flickering area appears on the screen, which you need to drag with the mouse directly onto the dead pixel. When you right-click on it, you can select the colors with which it will flicker.
The program also has a small drawback - the developers say that to get the desired effect, the utility will have to be run for several hours. But there is a big plus, in addition to being free - UDPixel can work in the background and does not interfere with other programs at all. Those. During treatment you will be able to fully use your computer. (If you accidentally minimize the main program window, UDPixel will completely disappear from the panel - the healing areas will remain - in this case, you can close the program only through the Task Manager, killing the UDPixel process)
Another similar program. Its brief description and download link are also available on our website.
Mechanical methods for treating dead pixels
To the options for massaging defective areas described in the first part of the article, you can add the use of pressure from the back of a regular pencil with an eraser at the end.
Sometimes a fingertip massage helps. You need to place your finger on the dead pixel, press lightly and move it 3-5 mm. You can move it both horizontally and vertically, or try drilling movements. The degree of pressure can be controlled by whitish streaks radiating from the massaged area.
Several ways to treat dead pixels from foreign users
1 .Cover the screen with a clean rag or paper napkin folded in half to prevent scratching the monitor. Take some object with a thin but not sharp end - a stylus from a PDA is ideal. Place the tip of the stylus exactly on the dead pixel - try to place it as accurately as possible, without affecting healthy areas. Without removing your hand, turn off the monitor. Press lightly with the stylus and, without interrupting the pressure, turn on the monitor again. Stop pressing, the dead pixel should disappear. If necessary, the operation can be repeated several times, changing the pressing force and the accuracy of the stylus positioning.
2
.Turn on the monitor and put on some dark image to see the dead pixel more accurately. Take a pen with a rounded end or something similar. Place the rounded tip exactly on the defective area and press lightly so that a small whitish area forms around the pressure point. Let go. Can be repeated 5-10 times, gradually increasing the pressure.
3 .Extreme method - high temperature method. Useful in cases where there are quite a lot of defective areas. Works best with laptops, but can also be used on standalone monitors.
ATTENTION . This method is dangerous, as it can lead to overheating of the computer and its complete failure, or burnout of its individual components.
You use it at your own risk. The editors do not bear any responsibility for possible consequences. Be sure to back up all important data before using it.
Turn on your computer. If it is a laptop, provide it with power from the mains. Go to Control Panel and disable all sleep and standby modes - the monitor should be on all the time. Close the laptop lid, but do not let it close all the way - place something small and soft between it and the case. Place your laptop or monitor in a partially closed desk drawer or some other less well-ventilated place and leave it there for several hours or even days, checking the results occasionally. The high temperature will allow the liquid in the crystals to flow more easily and get into areas that weren't filled before.
There is one more trick. You need to disconnect absolutely all cables connecting it to the computer and the network from the monitor and wait a couple of days or, with the cables disconnected, press the power button several times - all capacitors in the monitor should be completely discharged. After this, perhaps the stuck pixel will begin to function normally again. Try it, sometimes it helps.
And finally, another extreme way to treat dead pixels.
The method is quite dangerous. Everything is at your own peril and risk!!! If you are not sure, use the methods above.
We determine the exact location of the dead pixel. We add a contrasting background underneath it so that the defect is clearly visible - for example, black if the pixel is white or colored, or white if the defect is dark. Take a disc box/SD flash drive or something similar (it must be plastic, not very soft, but not hard either, as you can scratch the screen). Without turning off the monitor, we begin to massage the broken pixel with the prepared object. The movements in this case should resemble the movements of rolling out dough - you seem to be driving the “dough” from neighboring pixels (within a radius of 2-3 pixels) to the central one, which is not working, then back from the idle one to the neighboring ones (no need to do circular movements, you can scratch the screen ). You don’t need to press too hard, but you don’t need to press too lightly either. You need to press so that the marks in the massage area are visible.
If after 30 seconds of hard work the broken pixel has not been restored, you can stop - there will be no point, you shouldn’t keep pushing for several hours. With all this, you need to be extremely careful not to damage neighboring pixels. If you have no idea about the structure of the crystal lattice of an LCD matrix, then it is better not to try to use this method.
We can finish here. We hope that one of the methods we described will help you restore dead pixels on your LCD monitor.
Happy treatment!
When purchasing a laptop, monitor or tablet, we try to inspect the device as carefully as possible to make sure that it has no signs of defects. Alas, not all flaws can be identified by external examination. Some of them may remain invisible even if you look at them directly. These are just dead pixels - permanent black or one-color dots on the display. They can only be noticed against a plain background, so most often this defect is discovered by the user when money has already been paid for the product.
It is not always possible to exchange a defective device, which may be due to several reasons. For example, in devices of the second class according to the ISO13406-2 specification, up to 9 dead pixels per million, which means that according to the current law, you will not be able to exchange the purchased device, even if you want to. It is also possible that a defect will appear after the warranty period has expired. Fortunately, in some cases, dead pixels can be fixed on your own. But before we move on to considering acceptable methods, let's find out what dead pixels are, what they are, and what leads to their formation.
Unlike outdated cathode ray tube monitors, in which the picture was formed by constantly bombarding the inside of a phosphor-coated screen with electrons, in modern liquid crystal displays the image is formed thanks to liquid crystals that can change their position in space and thereby influence the properties of what is transmitted through them of a light beam. Liquid crystals in displays form what everyone is used to calling a pixel matrix.
Such a matrix consists of many individual elements traditionally called pixels or points. Each matrix element is controlled by its own transistor - Thin Film Transistor or TFT for short . Pixels, in turn, are formed by three subpixels, each of which corresponds to one of the three primary colors - red, blue and green. Mixing in a given order, they give the variety of colors that we can see on the digital image of modern monitors.
However, as it happens, at some point one of the pixels or the transistor that controls it begins to work incorrectly. As a result, a dot appears on the display, glowing in the same color. This is a dead pixel. The reasons for the appearance of dead pixels lie in the design of the LCD screen itself. The lower the quality of the materials used to make the display, the greater the likelihood that dead pixels will appear on it. Their appearance can also be caused by too low or high temperature, as well as pressure on areas of the screen surface.
Thus, success in “treating” dead pixels largely depends on the nature of the defect. Some dead pixels can be fixed at home, while others require a completely special approach.
Dead pixels come in three main types and appear as:
- Black dot on a white or colored background
- Constantly lit white dot on a darker background
- Colored dot on white, black or colored background
First type most often indicates physical damage to the control transistor. This is the most difficult case. Such a defect can be eliminated only in special laboratory conditions by replacing a non-working transistor. Also, the reason for the appearance of a black pixel can be the crystal stopping in the closed position. It is hardly possible to revive such a crystal. The same can be said about the white dead pixels that appear when the crystal is stopped in the open position.
Third type defect - colored pixels in most cases can be quite successfully eliminated at home. These are the so-called stuck pixels. They appear when, for some reason, a subpixel freezes in one position. So, to launch such a pixel, sometimes it’s enough just to “boost” it. This can be done using special programs or using the method of gentle mechanical impact on the area with the problem pixel, which will be discussed a little below.
The safest way is, of course, software. The most well-known utilities for restoring broken pixels are Bad Crystal, Pixel Repair, JScreenFix, ScreenFix Deluxe. All these utilities work on the same principle. A large amount of energy is applied to the subpixels, causing them to “swing” and come to life. Externally, the work of programs manifests itself as a rapid change of colors. No additional actions are required from the user, you just need to run the program and wait a while.
In some cases, it is possible to restore normal pixel operation in 20 minutes, in others it may take up to 10 o'clock.
If you cannot fix frozen pixels using the software method, you can try acupressure on the screen. This procedure is performed as follows: turn off the monitor, take a cotton swab and gently rub the problem area in different directions. You don't need to press hard, just enough to create faint streaks. Massage time is approximately 20 minutes. Next, turn on the device and look at the result. This method has certain disadvantages. Firstly, there is always a risk of accidentally damaging the fragile layers of the screen, and secondly, it is not suitable for touch capacitive displays.
Now let's make a brief summary. Technologies for eliminating dead pixels exist, but this is not a guarantee that they will work in your case. Having studied the statistics, we came to the conclusion that about 30 percent of color dead pixels, which, by the way, are considered the least problematic, cannot be eliminated using the two described methods. The moral from here is - when purchasing a device, ask the manager to conduct an appropriate display test. We also recommend that you ask what class the device’s display belongs to according to the ISO 13406-2 specification - this knowledge may even be very useful to you if you suddenly want to exchange a defective device.
Monitors have become an integral part of our lives. Society observes their presence every day on various devices and gadgets: mobile phone, computer monitor, laptop screen, etc. Despite the abundance of models, all screens differ in two parameters: manufacturing technology and pixel density. The quality of the picture depends on them. But regardless of progress and the latest technologies, a person is not immune from various breakdowns, one of which is a dead monitor pixel.
A dead pixel is a part of the monitor (point) that does not match the color gamut of the displayed image. As a rule, this is a dark pixel that is clearly visible against a light background. This type of malfunction does not require repair and, if the equipment is under warranty, it can be replaced.
But the most unpleasant damage is brightly glowing dots of different colors: red, white, green, etc. Often such spots appear suddenly and disappear imperceptibly. Popularly this problem is called “stuck” pixels. Unlike the first option, this problem can be treated in two ways: programmatically or mechanically. To work, you do not need any special devices or laboratory conditions. All steps can be performed at home.
How to find dead pixels on the screen?
First you need to check what condition the monitor is in. Sometimes the indicators can surprise owners, forcing them to abandon the idea of restoring dead pixels. You can often find “dead” pixels on the screen. Yes, we can say that such breakdowns can be corrected under warranty, but the law contains a clause that indicates the permissible number of dead pixels on monitors. Therefore, you have to correct the deficiency yourself.
There are a huge number of tools to check this. They can be executed as a separate program with a set of functions, or as an online service that can be used via the Internet.
A good example is the free service Onlinemonitortest. It invites its visitors to select monitor tests from the list:
- checking for dead pixels;
- checking the backlight;
- color rendering;
- text readability test and much more.
This service is a useful resource not only for identifying faulty pixels, but also for adjusting various parameters on the monitor.
Among the useful programs, we note the TFT test. This program has an intuitive interface and does not require installation on your computer. It will be enough to simply download it. A large number of tests included in the program can identify all screen defects and configure it for comfortable operation.
Recovery methods
After you have been able to check and evaluate the condition of the monitor, you can determine the restoration method, which can be of two types: mechanical and software.
Software method
The result is achieved by quickly changing the colors of neighboring pixels. As a result, more energy falls on the “stuck” pixel, and it is restored. This method is able to cure the problem in 80% of cases. This may require more time, experimentation with the duration of the program and the set of colors.
Sometimes, restoring dead pixels in this way brings only temporary results, and after some time, multi-colored dots may appear on the monitor again. If this happens, the procedure should be repeated. Some pixels cannot be permanently cured.
Mechanical method
If treatment with the software method fails, you should use the mechanical one. The process of such restoration looks like a normal wiping of the monitor. You can use a cotton swab and rub it with sufficient force on the part of the monitor where the dead pixel is located. The pressure should be such that streaks appear on the screen. This process may take up to 30 minutes.
The same procedure can be repeated with the monitor turned off. Another way is to lightly click your fingernail on the area where the dead pixel appears.
If the mechanical method does not help, you can combine it with the software one. To do this, you need to run the program on your computer and simultaneously “massage” the dead pixel for about 15 minutes, then leave the program running for a long period of 5–10 hours.
Description of programs that restore pixels
It is worth saying in more detail about the programs that are used in the software method. The most popular programs that repair dead pixels are Bad Crystal, JScreenFixDead and DeadPixelTester.
BadCrystal
This program is used most often. It is widely available on the Internet and can be downloaded or purchased. The free version only works for 30 days and has restrictions on a number of services. You can find a previously released version of BadCrystal 2.6. It is also free and works without limitations, but lasts only one minute. In order to eliminate this nuance, you can use a kind of “crack”: hold down the left mouse button and move the program window, without releasing the button, press it down with some object (book, glass, keyboard). In this situation, the program will run indefinitely.
To start working with the software, you need to decide on which device the dead pixels will be repaired: a monitor, a mobile phone screen, a game console or a plasma panel.
To repair mobile phones and game consoles, a video file is used, which must first be generated, then it is played on the equipment in multiple repetition mode.
For a plasma panel, the same video can be recorded to disk or you can use the FullScreen mode and run the program on your computer.
So what should you do? Open the additional program menu by moving the mouse to the top of the window. This displays the four modes that are available: Common Clearing (CCM), System Modified (SMF), Complex Force (CFV), Personal Protection (PPM). If you use the free version, you can only use CCM and PPM. SMF and CFV modes provide a higher percentage of pixel restoration.
The default mode is CCM. We launch it by clicking Launch. Move the program window to the area where the luminous dots appear, let the program run for 5–10 minutes, after which you need to check the result. If no changes occur, repeat the procedure with increased speed, for which you need to use the active SpeedUp button. Leave the program to run for 10–15 minutes.
Therefore, you can repeat attempts, using an increase in speed to the maximum. You can also experiment with the duration of the program. So, in the most difficult cases, repairs can take up to 10 hours.
To avoid recurrence of such problems with pixels, it is recommended to run the automatic prevention mode. In PPM mode, the colors on the monitor change. This procedure should be repeated several times a month to completely remove all problem areas.
JScreenFix
This is a Java application that can be used without installation on your computer. You cannot download it for free; only a paid version is available on the Internet.
Getting started with the program involves finding an area that needs repairs. To do this, select the Locale button in the menu and the program window turns black, move the window in search of luminous points. There is also a FullScreen mode that allows you to check the entire monitor. It's available for free.
Next, you can move on to a paid service - this is the repair of dead pixels. The principle of operation here is the same as in BadCrystal. Also on the site you can download ready-made video files demonstrating the algorithm of the program. This feature is provided free of charge. Such tracks can be played using a player convenient for you on any device, but the effect of this treatment will be less due to the difference in picture resolution.
DeadPixelTester
This is an application that allows you to find and repair dead pixels. The program can be downloaded on the Internet. To start working with the service, select the Solid option in the Pattern menu. Here you need to check the box next to Autocolourcycle and set the time interval to 2500 milliseconds. Then we leave the program running for several hours. This program allows you to remove false pixels on your laptop or computer monitor. It is NOT always possible to cure all stains; they either remain or may appear again some time after they disappear.
Repairing this problem, like dead pixels, can be done at home, without resorting to complex technologies and specific methods. Which of the proposed methods to choose is your decision.