Stuck Pixel Repair Tool
Drag the box over the stuck pixel, then press Start. Run it for 10–20 minutes.
A stuck pixel is one whose subpixels are frozen on a fixed colour while still receiving power, unlike a dead pixel which receives none. Rapidly cycling colours over a stuck pixel sometimes restores normal switching — it cannot do anything for a dead one.
How to use this test
- First confirm the fault is a stuck pixel and not a dead one — a stuck pixel shows a colour, a dead one stays black on every background.
- Drag the box over the affected pixel, or move it with the arrow keys once focused.
- Shrink the box so it covers the pixel and a little surrounding area — a smaller area concentrates the effect and flashes less of your screen.
- Press Start and leave it running for 10 to 20 minutes, then stop and re-check against a solid colour.
What your results mean
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| The pixel returns to normal | The subpixel was stuck rather than failed, and rapid switching has restored it. It can recur; repeat if it does. |
| No change after 20 minutes | Try a second run of similar length. If two runs achieve nothing, the pixel is unlikely to recover this way. |
| The pixel stays black throughout | It is dead, not stuck. No colour-cycling method will help — a dead pixel receives no power at all. |
| The pixel changes but does not fully clear | Partial recovery of one subpixel. Sometimes further runs help; often this is as far as it goes. |
Common problems and fixes
Nothing happens after several attempts
Colour cycling only ever works on genuinely stuck subpixels, and even then not reliably. There is no software method that repairs a dead pixel, and claims otherwise are not credible.
The flashing is uncomfortable to watch
Lower the cycle rate, shrink the box, and look away while it runs — you do not need to watch it. Stop entirely if you feel unwell.
You are not sure which pixel is affected
Run the dead pixel test first with solid colour fields, note the position, then come back and place the box there.
The pixel returns after a few days
Recurrence is common with marginal subpixels. Repeating the run usually works again, but a pixel that keeps sticking is degrading and may eventually fail.
Why this matters
A single stuck pixel usually falls below the threshold at which a manufacturer will replace a panel, which leaves you with a defect you can see and no warranty route. Colour cycling costs nothing and occasionally works. It is worth twenty minutes before accepting the fault or starting a claim you are unlikely to win.
Longer walkthrough: Stuck Pixel Repair — full guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does stuck pixel repair actually work?
Sometimes, for genuinely stuck subpixels. Rapid colour cycling exercises the subpixel's switching and can restore normal behaviour. It is not reliable and it does nothing for dead pixels, which receive no power at all. Treat it as worth trying rather than as a fix.
How long should I run it?
Ten to twenty minutes is a reasonable first attempt, and a second run of similar length is worth trying if the first achieves nothing. Beyond two or three attempts the odds are poor and you are mostly just running your panel hard.
Is it safe for my screen?
Brief runs are fine on an LCD. On OLED, be more cautious: OLED subpixels age with use, so prefer a small box over full screen and keep runs short rather than leaving it going for hours.
Why does this tool warn about flashing?
Because rapidly changing colours can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. That is why the tool defaults to a small movable box rather than the whole screen, and why full-screen mode has to be chosen deliberately.
Can I use it on a phone?
Yes. Drag the box with your finger to position it. The same caution about OLED applies, and most phones use OLED panels.
What if the pixel is dead rather than stuck?
Nothing here will help. A dead pixel has no power reaching it, so there is nothing to unstick. Check which you have by viewing the spot on both white and black: visible on both means dead, visible on only one means stuck.
Sources: MDN — requestAnimationFrame() · MDN — Fullscreen API
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