Dead Pixel vs. Stuck Pixel: How to Tell the Difference

2026-03-15

Quick Answer

A dead pixel has a failed transistor, stays black on every color, and cannot be repaired by software. A stuck pixel has one sub-pixel permanently lit, shows as a red, green or blue dot against a black screen, and can sometimes be revived by rapid color cycling.

What is a dead pixel?

A dead pixel is a pixel whose transistor has failed permanently. It never produces light, so it appears as a tiny black dot on your screen regardless of what is being displayed.

Dead pixels are caused by manufacturing defects, physical pressure, or age. No software can fix a dead pixel because the hardware itself is broken.

What is a stuck pixel?

A stuck pixel has a transistor that is permanently on (or partially on) in one sub-pixel channel. It appears as a tiny dot of red, green, or blue that does not change with the image.

Unlike dead pixels, stuck pixels have a chance of being fixed. Rapid color cycling can sometimes wake up the stuck sub-pixel by exercising the transistor.

How to tell the difference

Open the Dead Pixel Test and set the screen to pure black.

Any dots that appear colored (red, green, blue) on the black background are stuck pixels.

Now cycle through red, green, blue, and white. Any dot that stays black on every color is a dead pixel.

Can you fix them?

Dead pixel: No. The transistor is physically broken. If your monitor is under warranty and has enough dead pixels to meet the manufacturer replacement policy, contact them.

Stuck pixel: Sometimes. The Stuck Pixel Fixer flashes colors rapidly at the pixel location, which can exercise the transistor back to life. Success rates vary, but it is worth trying before returning the monitor.

When to worry

A single dead or stuck pixel on a 4K display (8.3 million pixels) is cosmetically minor. If you notice clusters of dead pixels or new ones appearing over time, it may indicate a deeper panel issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?

A dead pixel has a permanently failed transistor and never produces light, so it stays black whatever is displayed. A stuck pixel has a transistor permanently on in one sub-pixel channel, so it shows as a fixed red, green or blue dot. Only the stuck one has a chance of being fixed.

How do I tell which one I have?

Set the screen to pure black first. Any dot that appears colored is a stuck pixel. Then cycle through red, green, blue and white. Any dot that stays black on every one of those colors is a dead pixel.

Can a dead pixel be fixed?

No. The transistor is physically broken and no software can restore it. If the monitor is still under warranty, check whether the number of dead pixels meets the replacement policy of the manufacturer.

Can a stuck pixel fix itself?

Sometimes. Flashing colors rapidly at the pixel location exercises the transistor and can bring it back. Success rates vary, but it costs nothing and is worth trying before returning the monitor.

Is a single dead pixel worth returning a monitor for?

On a 4K display of 8.3 million pixels, one dot is cosmetically minor and usually falls below the replacement threshold of the manufacturer. Clusters of dead pixels, or new ones appearing over time, point to a deeper panel problem and are worth escalating.