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PanelPeek → Dead pixel vs stuck pixel
Dead pixel vs stuck pixel
Both show up as a single odd dot, but they behave differently on the test patterns. Being able to tell them apart helps you describe the fault accurately when you talk to a seller or manufacturer.
The difference in one line
- Dead pixel: a persistent dark spot that stays visible on light patterns such as white, red, green and blue. Black patterns cannot tell you whether a dark pixel is present.
- Stuck pixel: a persistent bright or coloured spot that is easiest to see against dark patterns, and that can also appear as a tint against another colour.
Pixel and sub-pixel structures vary between panel types and models, so the exact colour a fault shows is not a reliable classification by itself.
How the colour patterns separate them
- Clean the screen first: a dust speck, a smudge or a scratch can imitate a spot and will not change with the pattern.
- Run white, then black, then red, green and blue full screen, and compare the same position in each pattern. Full screen needs browser support and a click from you; if it is unavailable or you decline it, compare only the browser-visible area, and note that physical edges outside the window are not tested.
- A dark spot on the light patterns is a candidate dead-pixel observation; a bright or coloured spot on the black pattern is a candidate stuck-pixel observation. Black patterns are where dark spots become hard to distinguish, and light patterns are where bright spots can disappear.
- A spot that blends into its own background colour is not a conclusive classification on its own. Record the pattern and position where you saw it instead of naming the fault.
Do not press or "massage" the panel
Pressing or rubbing a panel can spread the damage, and repair software is not a manufacturer-recommended fix. PanelPeek does not include flashing or pixel-repair routines: a browser observation is not a hardware diagnosis and cannot guarantee a repair. Record what you see and let the seller or manufacturer inspect it.
What a pixel policy may say
Pixel policies differ between manufacturers and even between product lines, and a small number of faults may fall inside the accepted range for that model. A photo of the screen is useful for your own record but is not proof of a physical defect on its own. Check the policy for your exact model before you make a claim.
Record it while you have the display
Mark the solid-colour group as "Issue noticed", add a short note with the pattern and position, and export or print the checklist. If you keep the display, the same record is a useful baseline for the next time you look.
Short FAQ
Can I tell what caused the spot from the screen?
No. Visual appearance does not show whether a pixel lost power, which layer failed or whether the spot is dust; the check records what you observe, not a hardware diagnosis.
Is one bright dot on a black screen always a stuck pixel?
It is a persistent bright or coloured spot observation. A single pattern is not conclusive enough to classify the fault, so compare white, black and the solid colours before recording a note.
Will the spot go away by itself or with this tool?
There is no guaranteed outcome, and PanelPeek cannot repair a panel. If the spot matters to you, use your record when you contact the seller or manufacturer.
References
Short background used for this guide; the checking steps are our own:
- Dell display pixel guidelines — bright and dark pixel faults and sub-pixel differences, with pixel policy varying by model.
- EIZO: difference in image quality — image quality varies by panel type and intended use.